Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Wow; it's only circumcision..

781 replies

Chloejp91 · 29/12/2010 22:11

Before I get killed, I'm not suggesting it is only circumsion, that's just the title of this thread.

I'm due in less than 4 weeks and I'm having a boy. I'm definitely going to circumcise him. It's part of my culture and my partner's culture so it's going to be done. I just feel sad that it's seen as such a bad thing, where there are some benefits to it.

Anyone circumsised/circumsizing their sons?

OP posts:
LadyintheRadiator · 29/12/2010 22:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pooka · 29/12/2010 22:28

God I missed the bit about appearance of the penis afterwards and it being odour free???

A penis can be washed you know? Just like labia can. Or should girls have their labia removed to prevent them from being whiffy when older and to save on soap?

And I think it's frankly pretty revolting to be thinking of your baby ds in terms of how attractive his willy will be when he's older.

FrostyAndSlippery · 29/12/2010 22:29

I'm Shock at the statistic about 1 in 1000 getting cancer of the penis?!? Really?

Never really thought about circumcision. I think my dad had it done but I've no idea when or why.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 29/12/2010 22:30

Lady - I like your thinking Grin

bluebump · 29/12/2010 22:30

I'm Jewish and it's part of my culture but I never chose to do it to my DS.

pooka · 29/12/2010 22:32

It's 1:100000 men in North America - penile cancer.

Apparently very rare in both Europe and North America - which is interesting since there isn't the cultural prevalence of routine infant circumcision in Europe that there has been in the states.

hellymelly · 29/12/2010 22:35

I have girls,but I would never have considered chopping off any part of my perfect little babies unless it was a medical emergency.DH was done as a baby and although he doesn't resent his parents,I do!I think it is a cruel thing to do.agree that it would be better to let your son decide when he is older.
My dd needed i/v antibiotics as a baby and her having a line put in her tiny hand was so traumatic I can't imagine how anyone would do something to hurt their own child for no real reason.You might feel differently when he is here.

DontLetTinselDragOnTheFloor · 29/12/2010 22:35

I accept that people get it done where they have a strong religious beief. However personally I think it is barbaric.

JeelyPiece · 29/12/2010 22:35

No I won't, I'm not a huge fan of removing bits of healthy babies for no reason at all reasons of 'culture'.

JeelyPiece · 29/12/2010 22:35

Religion doesn't count as a good reason either.

ChunkyPickle · 29/12/2010 22:38

Number 1 is ridiculous - you do know that whole penis is unveiled when a bloke gets an erection?

Are you suggesting that these men who were shocked have never had an erection? Or did they keep their eyes shut at the time due to the hideousness of their un-mutilated equipment?

Leilababyno1 · 29/12/2010 22:48

Why people bother debating this issue I will never know?! It's all relevant isn't it, Circumcision/ear piercing etc...? Cultures will always clash- this is a very personal, emotional issue for a lot of people.

ninedragons · 29/12/2010 22:48

The culture argument holds no water at all.

Some people come from cultures in which they mutilate their children's genitals.

So fucking what?

Some people come from cultures in which gay people or women who are alleged to be witches are stoned to death.

"Culture" is a complete crock of shit and I despair of cultural relativists who think "it's my culture" is a universal free pass.

Muser · 29/12/2010 22:53

I really wish people wouldn't roll out the HIV thing as a reason for circumcision. If you live in a very high prevalence area, like some African countries, then maybe it would be some justification. But not really as you'd still need to wear a condom anyway to properly protect yourself. In which case just wear the damn condom and leave the foreskin where it is.

HIV prevalence in Europe is so tiny that your risk of catching it is very small anyway. And smaller still if you're a white, heterosexual, non-drug using male. And condoms are widely and cheaply, or freely, available.

As a reason, it makes me almost as mad as the cleanliness one. I have seen a fair few uncircumcised cocks in my time. All of them were lovely and clean because the man they were attached to knew how to wash it properly. It's not rocket science.

sum04 · 29/12/2010 23:00

We had our son circumcised when he was a baby, he is now four and i dont regret doing it one bit.
I am pregnant again and we have another son, i won't hesitate in doing it again.
I am not religious, but my partner is Jewish and my father is Muslim, so it's just a normal thing for the boy to have done in their culture's.
I think at the end of the day, it is down to each individual what they feel is right or wrong for there child and i don't think anyone should judge someone for the decision they make.

MrsCratchit · 29/12/2010 23:01

I wonder what the point of the thread is OP? You start what you clearly know is an emotive topic, but not to look for advice as you state it's a definite for your son. Were you looking for people support your decision, which suggests you know it is wrong?

Agree with the argument that 'culture' is an excuse. History is rife with examples of where, thank goodness, humanity has overridden practices of abuse. Footbinding anyone?

pooka · 29/12/2010 23:04

I'm all for letting the person with the foreskin decide.

What right do you have to make the decision to have part of your child's anatomy removed without their consent? I just cannot see how circumcision (not medically required, that is) can be in a child's "best interests".

But I don't think I'll ever understand it. Is incomprehensible to me.

TonyThePrawn · 29/12/2010 23:04

Wikipedia says that the actual rate of penile cancer is around 1:100,000. If the rest of the OP's post as inaccurate as this is it worth believing the rest?

pooka · 29/12/2010 23:06

And is jsut as common in US as Europe as far as I can see - which is odd since there is a much higher circumcision rate/tradition/culture in the US in comparison with Europe.

ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 29/12/2010 23:06

Op you say you will be doing it as it is part of your culture.

what reasons does your culture give for doing it?

and

if it wasn't your culture would you still be doing it?

sum04 · 29/12/2010 23:07

Alouiseg, i think it is very extreme for you to say that anyone who puts there child through circumcision is commiting child abuse!
I am not religious at all, but my son had it done and i would have any future son go through the same.
I personally think it is cleaner and i would not want my son to have foreskin, when his own father doesn't have it.
This certainly does not make me a child abuser and i suggest you think very carefully before putting certain individuals into that catergory.

MumNWLondon · 29/12/2010 23:09

Both DS1 and DS2 circumcised at 8 days old without pain relief (other than calpol). Procedure was very quick (a minute) they both screamed from minute nappy was off though.

Done for religious reasons, can't see any other reason TBH.

Legs held by grandpa (DH's dad for DS1, my dad for DS2). Baby seemed uncomfortable for around 6-8 hours afterwards, until bandage taken off (done without stitches). Healed within a week.

DS1 (now 4.5) can't remember at all. DS2 still a baby so can't ask him.

Not sure why you are posting here though, been done to death - see also AIBU thread today.

GColdtimer · 29/12/2010 23:10

After having a baby in special care and preped for an exchange transfusion with canulas in every limb I cannot for the life of me understand why a parent would choose to put their child through pain and suffering in the name of "culture". Seeing her in pain was terrible. My dh was circumcised at 5 for medical reasons and his mum still cdn't tslk about it. And your list of "benefits" are an absolute crock.

ihavenewsockson · 29/12/2010 23:10

It's mutilation.

If any other part of the body were chopped off, it would be abuse and/or torture.

kormachameleon · 29/12/2010 23:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Swipe left for the next trending thread