Now before everyone goes up in arms, let me preface this post by saying that I understand that circumcision is a ritual that is important to a few religious groups. I’m not going to get into the religious thing today. Instead I will simply dissect the other 6 most common reasons that Americans choose to circumcise their infants and why I think they are absolutely bonkers.
There are very few topics that fire me up as much as the whole “pros and cons of circumcision” one does. Actually, I can’t think of a single issue that comes close. Sadly, I know many people will disagree with me, including my friends and family but if it helps even just a couple of parents to reconsider the pros and cons of circumcision it will be worth the ruffled feathers.
When I first learned I was having a boy I knew this conversation would have to happen. For me, having lived in Argentina most of my life (where circumcision is practically unheard of) it was a non issue- it just wasn’t happening. For my American-born, circumcised husband, it was obvious that we would circumcise our son. That’s just what we do.
But Why Would We Circumcise Him?
The predominant answer to that question was, “Because we’ve always done it.” As I mentioned in my unschooling post, I think that is a terrible answer to ANY question. Just because we’ve been doing something for a long time, doesn’t mean we should continue doing it. And I really think its time to take a look at routine infant circumcision and dissect the reasons behind this dangerous practice.
And therein lies the problem: that circumcision of infants is routine. I personally don’t have anything against the procedure of circumcision itself, but rather the fact that we grab a freshly-popped-out baby boy and circumcise him just because and/or just incase. I’m sorry, but is that not insane?
Did you know that, other than religious reasons, the main reason circumcision became a popular practice was to deter boys from masturbating?!?[i],[ii]
How’d that work out for you gentlemen? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Unless you count the several weeks it takes for the penis to heal after the procedure, circumcision isn’t very effective at preventing masturbation. And since we now know that masturbation isn’t going to cause problems like hairy palms, blindness or stunted growth, it seems pretty ridiculous to cut off a boy’s foreskin for that reason.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the other main reasons for circumcising an infant.
1: Circumcision for Hygiene
Many people will argue that one of the benefits to circumcision is that a circumcised penis is easier to clean. This argument had grounds in history. In the 23rd century BC[iii] (when circumcision is thought to have originated in ancient Egypt), it is fair to say that basic hygiene wasn’t as easy as it is today. But, do we not have running water in most places that currently perform routine circumcision? Under the hygiene argument, we might as well chop off our ears so we don’t have to wash behind them.
2: Circumcision for Medical Reasons
Proponents of routine circumcision will say that the procedure reduces risk of medical problems like urinary tract infections, phimosis and paraphimosis (problems with retracting the foreskin and returning it to the proper location), and balanoposthitis (inflammation).
True, there are a lot of studies which show that these conditions do occur more frequently in uncircumcised boys and men. However, in developed countries (where maintaining hygiene is not problematic), their difference is negligible. For example, many studies have found that there is a tenfold increased risk of urinary tract infections in uncircumcised infants compared to circumcised infants[iv]. This seems like a huge risk – until you look at the actual numbers. The risk of UTIs in male infants is incredibly low in both groups. About 1 to 2 circumcised infant males out of 1000 get UTIs in the first year of life compared to 7 to 14 uncircumcised males.
Some proponents of circumcision for medical reasons take it to extremes, making claims that circumcision reduces risk of sexually transmitted diseases like HPV, herpes, and HIV[v]. There are some studies which indicate an increase incidence of STDs with uncircumcised men, but these studies often fail to adjust for cultural differences, such as the fact that Muslim men (circumcised) may have fewer sexual partners than Christians, or that condoms are not regularly used in some parts of the world. Regardless, circumcision will not undermine the solid case for practicing safe sex. If STD prevention is a concern, shouldn’t we advocate safe sex instead of cutting off the foreskin?
While we are on the topic of medical reasons for circumcision, let’s talk about the medical problems which can happen because of circumcision.
Circumcision increases the chance of meatitis and meatal stenosis, conditions in which the penis becomes inflamed or irritated. This happens more in circumcised men because they lack foreskin to protect the penis[vi]. Meatitis and meatal stenosis occur in 8-21% of circumcised infants but is virtually unheard of in uncircumcised infants[vii].
With circumcision, there is also the risk of bleeding, removal of too much tissue, infection from the operation, urinary retention, impotence, necrosis, and so on. And then there is the risk of death: 114 boys die yearly in the US because of complications with circumcision![viii]
Um, hello??
When you weigh the actual medical risks of not circumcising against the risks of circumcising, then you realize that “medical reasons” is not a good argument for circumcision.
Yes, very few males may eventually need medically-necessary circumcisions. But do we really have to do preventative circumcision just in case? That’s like giving them a tonsillectomy in case they need it later since, of course, they won’t remember it at birth, right?
3: Circumcision Because His Father is Circumcised
We can’t possibly be serious about this. When I first started talking about this I was shocked at how defensive adult men got about this topic. Perhaps they felt their extremity had been insulted as if it is somehow damaged goods. I understand that most adult men do not remember their circumcision vividly, but perhaps watching a simple video on YouTube on how this procedure is done will refresh their memory and help make this decision for their son. I’m serious. Google it, and keep a stiff drink handy.
We wouldn’t give your baby boy a nose job if his nose was somehow very different to his father, would we?
4: Circumcision Because Most Boys Are Circumcised
The tides are turning. In the 1970s and 1980s, circumcision was incredibly common in the US. According to the CDC, circumcision rates were at their highest in the 1980s with about 65% of infant boys being circumcised[ix]. The rates remained fairly consistent throughout the next couple of decades. However, by 2008, circumcision rates were at just 56.9%[x]. By the next year, the CDC found that circumcision rates in the US had dropped drastically: in 2009, the circumcision rate was just 33%[xi]!
It sounds like the truth is starting to circulate.
Regardless, since when has “because everybody’s doing it” been a good reason for surgery? I’m thoroughly baffled by this one.
5: Circumcision Because Foreskin is Useless
We don’t really think Mother Nature screwed up and the foreskin has no purpose, do we? What about our eyelids — are those useless too?
Some of the most important functions of the foreskin include[xii]:
- Keeping the glans moist
- Protecting glans from contaminants which could enter the urethra
- Producing antibodies to protect against infection
- Producing lubrication to protect the penis
- Improving pleasure during sexual activity (for both the male and his partner)
6: What Will People Think?!
When I asked for opinions on my Facebook page, I was pleasantly surprised at how many of my readers are against routine infant circumcision. One comment that really stood out came from a mom whose sons were both “snipped”:
“I personally enjoy snipped over not…”
YOU? YOU enjoy snipped over not? But it’s not about YOU at all, is it? And that’s where I circle back to the beginning. These are not our bodies as adults we are talking about. As far as I’m concerned, as an adult, men should be able to get circumcised if they choose. But routinely circumcising an infant? Why can’t we let him get a vote in the matter?
There’s always time to circumcise later but you can’t UN-circumcise.
This same reader also said: “I see it no different than piercing your daughters’ ears.” I’ve heard this one so many times I felt it necessary to address. If I had a daughter tomorrow I would not pierce her ears, but somehow I doubt the death rate from ear piercing complications is anything to write home about.
Conclusion
If you’re still not convinced about all the cons of circumcision, all I ask is that you please watch an unbiased video of a circumcision being performed on YouTube. Then decide if you want to subject your son to the procedure.
For those of you still reading and curious, my 3-year-old son is uncircumcised and has never had a problem. My brother and my entire family on my mom’s side (from Argentina) were also not circumcised and I never once heard of any problems.
I may regret this but, go ahead and comment below. Passionate debate is fine. Insults are not. Let’s please be respectful when communicating with one another.
Need a great book on all things “baby”. I love The Baby Book by Dr. Sears. (You can find it here)
Did/would you circumcise your son? Why or why not?
[i] Paige KE (May 1978). “The Ritual of Circumcision”. Human Nature: 40–8.
[ii] Gollaher 2000, p. 2
[iii] Gollaher 2000, p. 2
[vi] http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/61/5/778.short?related-urls=yes&legid=pediatrics;61/5/778
[viii] Bollinger, D. Lost Boys: An Estimate of U.S. Circumcision-Related Infant Deaths. Thymos: J Boyhood Studies, 2010;4(1), 78-90
[ix] http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/circumcision_2013/circumcision_2013.htm#table
Latest posts by Sylvie McCracken (see all)
- Treating H. Pylori (Part 3): What H. Pylori Does to the Body - August 8, 2022
- Treating H. Pylori (Part 2): How H. Pylori is Contracted - August 3, 2022
- Understanding Beef Labels: Organic, Pastured, Grass-Fed & Grain-Finished - July 25, 2022
Neither of my sons are circumcised. My first came from a man who is, and he assumed we would do the same to our baby. I sent him a link to a site arguing points similar to yours, and said, “Boys are born that way for a reason, and it isn’t our body to decide what can and can’t be on it.” End of argument, and as the unmarried mother, I wouldn’t have let it happen regardless. My second, his father is also uncircumcised, and agreed, it is a useless and outdated procedure that only causes pain to a brand new baby. Neither of the boys have ever had a problem with discomfort, infections, or cleanliness. I can’t watch a procedure being done, I’d cry and possibly vomit.
This is what was STOLEN from me!!! ????????????????????????
Caylen White
My 38-year-old intact (uncircumcised) penis has never had any kind of infection or disease. Nor has it caused me pain during intercourse. Nor has it been the cause of any kind of cancer. Nor does it look like an “anteater”. Nor does it smell foul. Nor does it make me unattractive in ANY way. Nor did it cause me undue embarrassment or ridicule “in the locker room”. The only things my foreskin HAS done are: keep my glans supple and moist. Protect my glans from the elements. Endow me with an incomprehensible level of control over when and how I climax (cum) because of those 20,000+ fine-touch nerves. Provide an additional structure for my partner to play with and manipulate during oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse. Eliminate pain (for my partner) during vaginal and anal intercourse because of the mechanical lubrication (gliding action). Makes masturbation completely effortless without the aid of augmentation (devices or lube)… Honestly the list goes on.
Oh I see you get to know the sexual reduction I’ve had but you hide whatever has been done to you? I don’t give a shit to admit to the world I can’t please a woman like a whole man could. I don’t give a shit because I’m not begging for the support of a sick backwards society. The biggest problem with genital mutilation is men being quiet or not actually critically questioning what happened to them. They clam up and yell ‘lalala I can’t hear you’ because to ADMIT what happened to them is to admit the BIGGEST part of their male ego has been REDUCED. To me that is cowardly and grounded in weakness and insecurity. It is incredibly selfish and puts ones self over the rights of innocent babies of the future and perpetuates the cycle. What we NEED is a bunch of PISSED OFF AGGRESSIVE MEN ACTING LIKE FUCKING MEN!!!!! When THAT happens this WILL stop because THEN there are repercussions to fake mothers who would damage their children!!!! So you can tell me to temper my voice all you want. It’s NOT going to happen. I know how to follow but I also know how to lead and it’s time for PISSED OFF MEN TO LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD THE SAME WAY A REAL MAN WOULD STAND UP AND PROTECT A WOMAN OR A CHILD!!!! Until THAT happens this atrocity will continue to be diminished and jeered at and NOT treated with the full truth it actually is. I’m just the start. More of me will follow because I’m acting on the natural instincts of good non cowardly men to protect others.
International against Male Genital Mutilation
Why don’t we ask the cultures that don’t chop up and mutilate their children’s genitals. What about all the (nonexistent) foreskin diseases and STDs they (don’t) suffer from?
If non-therapeutic infant circumcision has benefits, why don’t these health organizations recommend it?
Internationally physician react to America pediatrics stance on circ
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2013/03/12/peds.2012-2896.full.pdf
http://knmg.artsennet.nl/Nieuws/Overzicht-nieuws/Nieuwsbericht/129608/International-physicians-protest-against-American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-policy-on-infant-male-circumcision.htm
“The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan is asking family doctors to consider the physical risk to the patient and the legal risk to the physician before becoming involved in the routine circumcision of infants.”
http://m.cmaj.ca/content/167/5/532.2.full
Canadian pediatrics
http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/circumcision
British Medical Association
http://bma.org.uk/-/media/Files/PDFs/Practical%20advice%20at%20work/Ethics/Circumcision.pdf
“to circumcise for therapeutic reasons where medical research has shown other techniques to be at least as effective and less invasive would be unethical and inappropriate.”
The Royal Dutch Medical Association
http://knmg.artsennet.nl/Publicaties/KNMGpublicatie/77942/Nontherapeutic-circumcision-of-male-minors-2010.htm
“The official viewpoint of KNMG and other related medical/
scientific organisations is that non-therapeutic
circumcision of male minors is a violation of children’s rights to autonomy and physical integrity.”
German Pediatric Association
(very long, but very much against circumcision, and includes the following)
“Therefore it is not understandable that circumcision of boys should be allowed but that of girls prohibited worldwide. Male circumcision is basically comparable with FGM types Ia and Ib that the Schafi Islamic school of law supports”
Cultural Bias in APA
“The other claimed health benefits, including protection against HIV/AIDS, genital herpes, genital warts, and penile cancer, are questionable, weak, and likely to have little public health relevance in a Western context, and they do not represent compelling reasons for surgery before boys are old enough to decide for themselves.”
(signed by 38 senior physicians, about half of them presidents or chairs of national paediatric or urological organisations)
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2013/03/12/peds.2012-2896.abstract
Nordic Association of Clinical Sexology
http://nacs.eu/data/press_release001.pdf
Danish doctors come out against circumcision
http://www.thelocal.dk/20161205/danish-doctors-come-out-against-circumcision?utm_content=bufferabd1a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
The guy that just posted before me is a complete clown. You have spent your entire life experiencin a cognitive dissonance in this regard. How could removing a part of your body IMPROVE it? How? Use your brain for f@<k sakes.
Hilarious that this was written by a woman. There are risks regardless of what you choose to do. As a circumcised male I can happily say that I’m so glad my mom decided to do it. Uncircumcised penises look like the head of a pancake turtle. In my personal dating experience I’ve typically been met with ‘oh thank God you’re circumcised, I once dated a guy….’. As far as waiting for him to choose when he’s older, do you realize how insanely difficult it is to circ after puberty? Adult circs can’t get an erection while it’s healing, and as an adult male I can personally tell you, it’s impossible to control morning wood from happening. To each their own I suppose…
When my first son was born I had no idea why kids got circumsiced. I asked the doctor what was the difference and the answer was: “because everybody do it in the U.S. but it does not make a difference” I was shocked! I’m not a sheep, I won’t do things just because everybody is doing it! I think it is just a way to make money and scare people that if they don’t do it their kids might get infections! Which is crazy! I have 2 kids now: 4 and 2 and they have never had a problem, they are happy little boys 🙂 I’m so happy I didn’t do that to them! My dad, and my brother are not and they are perfectly fine. My husband is and I’m so glad he was open minded and decided to break the pattern instead of doing it just because he is! I wish people would stop! Needless thing to do! The last thing a friend told me about why she circumsiced her son was so that other boys would not make fun of him for his “looks” that is insane! People care too much about what others think :/
Agreed!Thanks for sharing, Araceli
I used to think I would circumcise my son. The CDC and AAP and other medical organizations had me convinced it was the best choice for health and hygiene and it didn’t have any averse effects – I’d never met a circumcised man who told me he didn’t enjoy sex! But when I got pregnant and the topic was raised, my husband shocked me by telling me that he regrets his parents’ decision to circumcise him. I admit I was initially surprised and repulsed, but I started reading a little more about it.
When I learned that circumcision can cause erectile dysfunction, desensitization, and significantly longer and harder intercourse, I became very sad. My husband and I face all of these issues. Before I learned how to love him for who he is rather than what he provides for me physically, I nearly broke up with him on a number of occasions. I worried we’d never have kids or be sexually close to one another. Even more frustratingly, he’s not interested in trying to restore his foreskin (google tlc tugger), so it’s only likely to get worse over time. It makes me very angry. His parents, who I love and respect as wonderful and well-meaning people, ultimately deprived not just him, but also his future wife, of a sense of serious sexual connectedness.
People out there who don’t see it as important, please understand at least why some people are so adamant about it. Their penises are broken. Their wives are sexually dissatisfied. There’s no going back. And keep in mind, what we’re discussing is overpowering a person before they’re too young to defend themselves to do something to their genitals that they likely wouldn’t choose themselves in a way that’s horribly frightening and painful. If you look at it this way, I think you’d have to concede that on some level circumcision is as much male rape as anything could be called. If you do decide to do it, at least stand there for the procedure. Don’t let them take the boy away. If it horrifies you, make them give it to you. Ice it. If you can’t sleep at night, if it gives you a horrible sense of grief, call surgeons to get it back on. If they can sew fingers back on, surely they can sew skin back on.
I would just like to say that first off it does not say in the Bible to circumcise. This is a complete misinterpretation of what the Bible says. What we are suppose to learn (from the Bible) is to abstain from circumcision. “God” was trying to tell us that he died (shed his blood) in order for us to learn what he was trying to teach which is NOT to circumcise!
Next I would like to say that it is entirely true that circumcised men as they get older have a harder and harder time sex wise. Why do you think Viagra is so popular?
I also totally agree that a helpless little baby has no voice and cannot consent to being circumcised and it is NOT his parents’ decision to make; it’s not their body!
Lastly, any man that is not circumcised and has body odor issues can correct that by taking showers EVERY day. I would guess though that some people have strong body odor (male or female) no matter how much they shower. I had a female friend in high school and she had horrible armpit odor even if she regularly showered and put on deodorant.
If I didn’t marry an uncircumcised man, I probably would have had my son circumcised for lack of knowing any better. I have done my fair share of research, like any parent should, and I stand firm in my beliefs against routine infant circumcision. I have caught a lot of grief from family and friends but I know that they just don’t know any better, or any different, just like I used to. I try to educate people if they seem open to it, but it seems that most are just too close minded about it. Sex really is better with an uncircumcised man, they’re still so sensitive that painful thrusting isn’t an issue, and as a woman, I’m thankful for that!
All I can say is that I was young and uneducated on the subject. I wish I knew 12 years ago what I know now. I regret having my son circumcised he has had issues because of it, thankfully only minor issues. Thanks for the info.
Thanks so much for sharing that PVincent! Hugs to you!
To the person who mentioned that “GOD DID NOT GIVE US ANY PARTS WE DON’T NEED” it does state in the BIBLE that circumsizion is to be done. Yes my grandson will be circumsized. I will not be in the room but it will be done. God told us to do it. I have changed diapers of both circumsized and uncircumsized babies. It is much easier to clean a circumsized boy than a uncircumsized boy. Masterbation has nothing to do with circumsizion.
actually the only religion that recommends it is Judaism it is banned in both Christianity and Catholicism and in ancient times they would just cut off what hung off of the foreskin not half the penises skin while still not moral it was less destructive and yes masturbation was why it was spread through America by John Harvey Kellogs he thought he could stop it by causing children around 8 or 9 seveyer amounts of pain and by removing the most sensitive parts of the penis also recommended by Judaism is cutting off the clitoral hood which would be nearly the same as cutting the foreskin also i would like to say your a coward for not going into the room to see the cosmetic surgery YOU enacted onto him also all proven medical knowledge and common sense proves that its easier to clean a intact child
How about the fact that men who were circumcised start to get callouses and lose much of the sensitivity of their penis, making it hard to get off during sex. Oh, because someone decided cutting off the most sensitive part of your penis was a good idea. It’s ridiculous!
Jewish customs do it on the 8th day which is the day the human body (created by God) heals from wounds the fastest due to coagulation of the blood. I am not a Jew but am thankful for this practice. I am very glad I was sipped as a child and as well as both of our boys. I am not a Jew but am thankful for this practice. The probabilities of cervical cancer are VERY high in countries were males are not circumcised.
I’d like to provide this comment as a circumcised man: I hate my parents for mutilating me as a helpless infant. They actively made the decision to remove the most sensitive part of the most intimate part of my body without my consent and while I was completely helpless. How can I not view them as barbaric monsters? I confronted them about this as I have felt rage toward them for years. It was not pleasant. We no longer maintain relations. Circumcision has not only ruined my adult sex life and deprived me of my whole body, it has caused me deep seeded emotional scars, mental health problems, and cost both me and my parents our relationship. Don’t do it!!!!!
I seen this while scrolling and i personally do have my son Circumcised, However i see nothing wrong with it either way. I mean he either has the skin there, or its gone. Its not like it will make or break his spirit or drastically change his life. He will still be raised happy, healthy, and much loved. Now before i get dissed for this, I DO see all of your points on not circumcising but really all i can say is Each mother is different. You cant expect someone to not get it done OR get it done just because you did or didn’t
.
As an uncircumcised man, Im so much happier uncut. There are those women that think foreskin is gross, and I just leave them. If God made us perfect, he gave it to us for a reason. If the there are any women in this world who think a man should get cut, go get some scissors and you might as well snip off your labia. God bless!
My son was not circumcised for all of the 6 reasons discussed. I was to protective to allow that to be done to my newborn, what a horrible entry into this world! Although I do prefer the appearance of circumcised men, and my husband is circumcised and thought we should circumcise our son, I felt strongly that altering his perfect body was just wrong. I recently asked my husband to discuss the option of circumcision with my son and our pediatrician on my sons 13th year annual visit. I guess was thinking about how he would feel in the locker room if he were a minority, etc. My son was not interested in pursuing any changes. So, the option to circumcise later in life, although I’m sure not top on any man’s list of “fun things to do”, will at least be his decision to make. I would not change a thing.
Thank you for sharing that, Alicat!
I had both my sons circumcised as infants, and they are both young adults. Now it’s such a hotly debated topic I’ve asked them how THEY feel about that. Do they wish I hadn’t chosen that and that they’d been given the option later? They both, separately, have given me very emphatic no’s to that. They are both glad they were circumcised, have zero memory of the pain, and going forward they want their sons cut as well. They’ve seen their dad who isn’t, BTW. My husband has had issues because of it and not gone to the doctor, and I agree about the smell. It interferes with our relationship because unless he is freshly showered right before, I end up with irritation. I’m pretty sure it’s from the bacteria trapped under the foreskin, as he has trouble retracting it comfortably. This causes a hygeine problem that an uncircumcised man shares with his partner. Yuck. The rate of cervical cancer is significantly higher for women whose partners aren’t circumcised. So, theoretically it should be easy to retract the foreskin and clean, but it’s important to also pat the skin dry which most men don’t, and it’s a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s like putting the toilet seat down or changing the empty toilet paper roll, but those take less effort.
Thank you for being respectful in your comment. You’re right that it’s a heated debate, and usually people fly off the handle so I appreciate it.
I just finished reading all the comments here, and I’m trully surprised. The article seemed interesting to me, something like: ‘Hey, do people actually do and believe such things nowadays?!’ Then I started checking the comments and was like ‘Are you kidding me?!’. I have my beloved baby boy who’s not even 5 months old, and I can’t imagine bringing him such pain for hazy reasons.. In my country (Europe) only Jewish people do it, I really have never EVER heard of somebody who was circumcised. And guess what? I’ve never heard of someone who had problems for not being circumcised, really… I guess it’s all about teaching boys proper hygiene.
I agreed with it all but reason 4. My son is not circumsized my husband and I agreed for different reasons. I didn’t want to sexually mutilate my son for no reason at all. I’ve seen poor babies go through it and its heartbreaking. My husband isn’t either but his dad is. As a child he always felt something was wrong with him because his dad looked different then him. That is horrible for a child to live life thinking.
just saying that I work in the health care field as a RN. the percentage of older men that have not been circumcised is fairly low, and of those men, 90% or more have issues of cleanliness, they get restrictions and its very hard to place a foley catheter. there can be infections around the tip of the glans and other issues. I recommend the practice and this is not a religious stance, strictly medical!
I did NOT circumsize my son years ago. To this day he has not had any issues. His father wanted him to be circumcised because he was.That was not a good enough answer to me, nor was ‘he wont look the same down there like the other boys’ my comment– we argued for days, I never gave in… To any new parent reading this… do your research and make an informed decison … I also believe that children at any age feel pain and discomfort that’s why they cry and scream etc… If you are still unsure, ask to see a procedure take place (on someone elses child) before you make a final decision …
I was circumcised and I wish I wasn’t. I wish the choice was left to me. Thanks for the article!
I just gave birth to baby boy twins and decided not to get them circumcised. I truly felt that there was no valid proof to get them brutally cut for no reason. Thank you for reassuring my decision.
Hugs to you!
Omg this is a terrible bias article. Poorly written. Negatively charged.
So your goal is to teach your son that following the herd is preferred. My son is not circumcised, and though it was a personal decision, I have since found that he will definitely not be alone in the locker room. Very possibly, your son could be in the minority and kids need to learn to stand up and not give in to bullies and uninformed morons.
I agree
With nancy
As a mother I wouldn’t name my child something silly that could be made fun of all the time nor would I want him to feel insecure because he had a penis that looked different. My goal isn’t to embarrass my son through out his years growing up or in adult hood. We give our babies painful shots yes less dramatic no different than being curcumsised. Why don’t you ask the men of this world I garuntee they have a different story.
what do you mean a different story im a circumcised male and i feel fucking terrible i don’t even feel human half the time i hate my parents to no end the anger i feel towards them is more then that of murders my dick is not what it is supposed to be and you think i would be happy about that get out of your fantasy world and into reality
Circumcision is a cruel, painful and barbaric practice. If a man wants his foreskin removed, that should be his informed decision when he becomes an adult. Unless there is a compelling (life or death) reason to mutilate an infant, don’t do it. As for the religious practices, God isn’t going to deny a man entry to heaven if he has a foreskin!
Funny that ppl who are commenting here are mostly those who didn’t do it to their kids. Why would you need such a demonstration of your decision?
Kalina9918, I think it helps others who are on the fence and/or uninformed to see that it’s not just a fringe of hippies who don’t circumcise but actually soon to be the majority of this country coming to their senses. 🙂 But, as you can see by some of the comments, we still have a ways to go! Glad I can do my small part.
I often wonder if women who say that have any idea what their vagina smells like. Its not exactly roses, unless you douche it to hades and back. I would still never cut a person, an infant, for sexual purposes. I wish my mother had felt the same as me. It is so awful to live without your integrity just because your mom doesnt like the way your genitals will smell when you are grown.
I would never ever do that to my child unless absolutely 100% medically necessary. If we ever have a boy I would put signs all over my hospital room and in the bassinet that my child is not to be circumcised and the hospital will be sued if that happens.
Nice to delete my comment. I guess you prefer to sway your readers’ opinions in your favor and not allow the whole truth.
Your comment was not deleted. First time commenters are always held in a moderation queue to prevent spam. 🙂
I’m sure I’ll get a lot of flack for posting this but here goes… My ex was uncircumcised and the odor from his penis was horrendous. I couldn’t stand having sex with him because it was so disgusting and a huge turnoff. (Guess what he NEVER got) I eventually stopped having sex with him altogether because of this and it destroyed our otherwise good relationship. He is European and circumcision is not common where he is from. This was not a hygiene issue. He was very cleanly. This was not a medical issue. (he was checked) I asked my doctor about it and was told that there is a gland under the foreskin that secretes a lubricant to protect the penis to keep the foreskin from rubbing on it (dry on dry skin = ouch) among other things and that it has an odor – sometimes “stronger” but perfectly natural. I guess his current gf doesn’t mind it since they’ve been together 9 years and have 2 kids. To each his own. I am with the other poster who was stoned because “this isn’t about YOU”. Relationship-wise, I prefer a circumcised penis. When you are in an intimate relationship with someone, it is about BOTH of you (for the sexual aspect anyway). I don’t object to not circumcising, this is just my personal experience. And I wouldn’t not date someone just because he wasn’t circumcised, but if I ran into a similar situation, I would exit the relationship instead of thinking “I’ll get used to it” and have it ruin a marriage. That wasn’t fair to either of us.
Excellent article. Highlights some very important reasons to KEEP the foreskin and I agree these are very silly reasons to circumcise. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Vanessa!
Can I just toss out there that the “only (ones) with a lick of sense” are too immature to call a penis a penis? Yet we’re supposed to let them make mature decisions? Yeah, I think not. My husband and 4 boys all remain intact. We’ve NEVER had any issues. If they choose to be circumcised when they’re older I’ll pay to have it done. Until then, we’ll leave it as it came.
This is funny, I just stumbled across your blog and the only two commenters with a lick of sense are “Jim” and “Tim”.they must have gotten their names from the same book! Anyway, all I can say is “hands off my nutt sack!”. Personally I’m clipped and my member works real good as it is. However in junior high we made fun of a polish kid named brad something. His only crime was that his dick looked like a hose! I guarantee he wished his love wand would have looked like everyone else’s.
Looks aren’t everything Drew! I hate to say this to anyone but I really wish you could remember the “doctor” that ran a probe between your foreskin ripping it apart then pulling it up clamping it, crushing it with the clamp and finally taking a knife and cutting it off! I remember this and was fully awake just like you were and have terrible nightmares about it. It sounds like you are not old enough yet, but you soon will be where you have to take a pill just to get it up. Almost ALL men who are circumcised have that to look foreward to. So you can think of your mutilated penis as a good thing all you want! Just remember what is in store for you in the next few years. You may not think of your “love wand” in the same way later in life! Just to add one final thought. As you get older your penis gets smaller. You cut it at birth, your “love wand” is now 3″ shorter than it should be because that so called useless skin isn’t there. How small you think it will be when u are 50 or 60?
Hilarious and sad at the same time, Jennifer
Both of my boys are intact as is their father. We come from Eastern Europe where only Jewish babies are routinely circumsized. I saw absolutely no reason to have my boys ‘done’.
FYI. Just because you can find a reference for your comments it doesn’t make you sound intelligent. In fact it shows how unbalanced and biased your poorly written blog really is. Keep up the less than mediocre work! I heard Cracker Jack is looking for some writers with your highly educated level of writing and research skills!!!
Tim you sound like an internet troll. Too bad you aren’t intelligent enough to make your point without being verbally abusive. If you have something worthwhile to say, why don’t you back it up with some facts and references?
Interesting. Every comment is by a woman. As a guy I feel I have no business in being prolife or pro choice but it is fascinating how it is the “mama bears” of the world that think they know what’s best when it comes to peckers.
Well Jim, seeing as how women don’t much like being jackhammered by a man with desensitized glans, I would argue we have a right to weigh in here.
Besides, human rights are everyone’s business. Everyone with a sense of human decency, that is.
Mani Sheriar – agreed, but you could go further. If we removed anything that could possibly go wrong in the future, we’d have to remove EVERYTHING!
It’s really interesting, but strange, to read this article. Here in the UK we would only circumcise for religious reasons – it’s not a common practice at all. In fact, I don’t know anyone that has circumcised their children.
Mama020406 – Should we all routinely cut off any unnecessary body parts at birth to prevent potential future complications that are unlikely to arise?
By that logic we can do away with earlobes, pinky toes, labia, nipples on boys …
Great post Sylvie! I want to add that I am not against circumcision in itself. What I am against is infant circumcision. It’s my son’s choice, not mine. What right do I have to take away a part of his body? I believe my son was made whole already and why would I want to take any of that away or try to make him any different. If my son has a desire to be circumcised when he is older, I fully support him. I know he will one day respect me for giving him this choice.
Thank you Jackie!
I know someone whose grew closed at 13 and had to go through emergency circumcision which was very painful! My boys and their father and almost everyone in my family was and none have had complications and none remember the procedure except the person who had to have it done at 13!!!!
Its good youre in the minority here. I was cut as a child and HATE it. I want my whole body, and i will never have it. Ever. Just for a one in sixteen THOUSAND chance i would need it.
We don’t often here this side from the guys so thank you for sharing, D!
Thank you for this post! My husband and my son both are not circumcised, and I’m expecting a boy that will not be either. Its so disturbing how some doctors act when you tell them you are not circumcising your son. My doctor now is great and is very supportive of not circumcising.
I hear so many of my coworkers (RN’s) say how awful it is to manage an uncircumcised older man. I just walk away. I did not circumcise my son. I left it up to his father, who not only is not circumcised, but is also against any unnecessary medical procedures. I get sooo much flack from family members, but oh well. To those that say it’s hard to clean – women have just as many “folds and creases”, but we do not remove the labia – we just teach our daughters how to clean all the crevices. Girls have labia, boys have foreskins – same skin, same issues, same difference.
Agreed. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for this I couldn’t agree more! It’s great seeing others speaking out and preaching the facts! My 2 sons are intact. My husband and his family are Hispanic and None of them are circumcised brother, father, grandfathers, uncles. None of them have ever had any problems!
Thank you Mary!
Great post! I couldn’t agree more. My 4 year is uncircumcised. God didn’t give us ‘useless’ parts. =)
Thanks Julie!
This is much like the conversations me & real fit daddy were having before we found out our little bundle was a girl! Great post!!
Thanks Julie!
My thoughts on the medical reason… Since in the last couple of generations circumcision was ubiquitous, doctors just don’t know how to handle an intact penis. So if there is a problem, their #1 reaction is circumcision–THEN they know what they’re dealing with.
This is what caused me to almost circumcise my son. (One of my closest friends who happens to be a Jewish doctor nearly convinced me to do it. As a single mom, I kind of just wanted someone else to make the decision for me. ;)) But then I ended up in a clinic with a CNP/midwife and OB who dealt with crunchy moms and intact penises all the time (in fact, I overheard them discussing scheduling a circumcision, and they were like, I don’t even know how to do that anymore, it’s been so long), so I felt 100% good about my initial decision to NOT circumcise.
Hugs and thank you Vanessa!
Thank you for this post. You had awesome points all around. My 2 boys are not circumcised. I didn’t have all of this information, it was just mamma bear wanting to protect her babies. I do not believe our higher power systematically gives males something that ‘should’ be surgically removed. Everything has a purpose. Just my 2 cents. Keep up the awesome work and providing this information. I appreciate you and what you do!
Thanks so much Tammie!
He came out whole, why strap him down and force him to have his genital mutilated???!!!
I couldn’t agree more!!!! Thank you for writing about it. Subjecting newborn babies to unnecessary cosmetic surgery is crazy town.
Thank you Mani! Indeed, crazy town.
Female Thought Experiment
Dear expecting mothers who are considering circumcision for their male child. Please engage in this breif thought experiment first.
You were not born here in North America, but in Egypt or Malaysia. When you were born your mother proudly took you to a doctor who recommended that you, a female, be circumcised. (This actually happens.)
It is a clean, modern hospital with all the technological advances of the 21st century. Your doctor has a prestigious degree and is very well regarded. She tells your mother that it isn’t done like in days gone past, and they use anesthesia now, so you won’t feel much pain.
The doctor points to American studies that suggest the removal of the male foreskin might help prevent rare cancers, prevent 1 out of 195 UTIs in the first 6 months, might prevent some STDs, etcetera. She tells your mother that because male and female foreskin is histologically identical, and develops from the exact same fetal tissues that circumcision for her daughter makes exactly the same benefits as for her sons.
Your mother agrees, because who is she to question a respected doctor? You are placed upon a table. Your arms and legs are strapped down and your delicate prepuce is excised from your body.
As you grow up your now exposed clitoris dries out and becomes less sensitive to sexual stimulus. The scars around your genitals make sex clumsy, dufficult and dry. You find that the only way you can enjoy sex or masturbation is with unnatural artificial lubricants, and you find your man has to pound you deeper and longer just so you can feel anything. This rougher sex often leaves both you and your partner sore and raw from the experience.
Do you think that there is anything wrong with you? Of course not. You don’t live in North America. All the women you know are cut. You believe these scars, pain and difficulties are simply the price of being female. You may even believe it when they tell you that cutting you made you cleaner and helped prevent diseases. You believe it when they tell you men much prefer a neatly trimmed vulva, and your scars make you more attractive to the opposite sex.
Now you can come back to North America. I want you to look now with fresh eyes at the male circumcision you are considering for your son.
Is it any different at all?
In our little thought experiment, when you were cut, they took far less skin from you than they take from baby boys, but it had devestating results nonetheless. We know what was done to you was wrong.
As outsiders to a cultural practice such as female genital cutting we can see how it makes no sense. We can imagine how our lives would be negatively impacted. Yet within that culture we become blind to it.
Now look at what you are considering for your son. Maybe a well respected doctor in a white coat has suggested it may have benefits. Maybe you have lived in a culture where none of your men have ever been allowed to grow to adulthood with their genitals intact.
The science for cutting males is every bit as specious as the science for cutting girls. In fact it is THE EXACT SAME “SCIENCE” being used.
But, you have a benefit the girls in our thought experiment never had. You actually did grow up with your foreskin intact. You know the science for removing it is bullshit. You know the joy of having all the genitals you were born with.
Now consider your son and circumcision.
Is it any better, simply because you live in North America? Do the facts and reality change based on where you live?
Are you really making a health decision for your son, or simply acting out another chapter of cultural wounding?
The wonerful point of this mental exercise is that you do not have to perpetuate this cultural wounding upon your son. More and more people are leaving their sons intact. More and more boys are getting to adulthood with all their God given parts, and they will tell you just how foolish and unnecessary genital cutting really is.
You can wake up from a cultural blindspot and you can make the right decision.
All you need is a little perspective. The genital cutting culture can end with a single word.
That magic word is, “No.”
“No. I will not be cutting my son. It is his body. Surgical sexual body modifications will be his choice to make for himself when he is an adult. The culture of cutting babies ends with me.”