Newborn question

[Chell_King]

I apologize in advance if this is an inappropriate. MODs please delete if it's as I don't want to ruffle any feathers. My wife and I are about to have our first son together and we are debating on whether to circumcise our child. I grew up without a circumcision but, my wife is adamant about it that we get our son circumcised.

I am looking to hear people's thoughts on the pros and cons of a circumcision. Maybe it would help if a poll was created?

Thanks,

[troutman]

There have been threads about it. IIRC, Opinion and research seem evenly split on the issue.

All the males in my family are uncircumcised, and it seems to me boys are better off with a foreskin than without.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...t=Circumcision

[pylon]

HA! Troutman has an anteater!

[troutman]

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org...-circumcision/

Read the comments too.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/magazine/...t-circumcision

http://www.circumcision.org/studies.htm

http://www.circumcision.org/information.htm

http://www.cirp.org/library/treatment/phimosis/

http://www.circinfo.net

[Northendzone]

My son is cut, and I have no other insight to offer as my wife took him. As I recall, she says he yelped but that was it.

If he remembers it he has never said anything.

[Sliver]

We chose to leave my son's genitals unmuitilated. If he wants to get the snip later in life, that can be his decision. I think it's abhorrent that people even consider imposing circumcision on a baby in this day and age.

Are parents even allowed to surgically modify other parts of their children's bodies? If I wanted to snip off his baby toe, would I be allowed? Why are people permitted to hack off a chunk of an unwilling participant's penis, then?

This barbaric practice should be illegal.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Sliver

We chose to leave my son's genitals unmuitilated. If he wants to get the snip later in life, that can be his decision. I think it's abhorrent that people even consider imposing circumcision on a baby in this day and age.

Are parents even allowed to surgically modify other parts of their children's bodies? If I wanted to snip off his baby toe, would I be allowed? Why are people permitted to hack off a chunk of an unwilling participant's penis, then?

This barbaric practice should be illegal.

While not quite as angry about it, I agree. As long as things are kept clean, it should never be an issue.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by Sliver

We chose to leave my son's genitals unmuitilated. If he wants to get the snip later in life, that can be his decision. I think it's abhorrent that people even consider imposing circumcision on a baby in this day and age.

Are parents even allowed to surgically modify other parts of their children's bodies? If I wanted to snip off his baby toe, would I be allowed? Why are people permitted to hack off a chunk of an unwilling participant's penis, then?

This barbaric practice should be illegal.

You should report it under the Barbaric Cultural Practices Act.

[rain_e]

What is your wife's reasoning that this needs to be done?

[Zulu29]

Well, it's important enough that you two should do some research and come to an informed decision together rather than let outdated opinions influence your decision.

[LChoy]

This topic is one of those things that will become controversial no matter what because it deals with:
- Parenting
- Ethics/morals/religion/consent
- The penis



For me, I have also recently had to think about this decision as we are expecting a boy early next year. I also have a background in health policy and work in an evidence based health organization

I will say to the OP that you question is quite timely, as the Canadian Paediatric Society very recently reviewed their position on newborn circumcision.

As of Sept 2015, the Society has maintained that they do not recommend the procedure for every newborn male. The American society has also reviewed their position, and also do not recommend it (citation needed)

http://www.cps.ca/documents/position/circumcision

Note the study is reviewing the procedure based on medical evidence only, and does not take into account of religious and ethical reasoning behind their decision

While there is some evidence that circumcision may convey some positive benefits, the risk/reward ratio is so balanced, and with availability of other procedures and options that can convey similar benefits (use of contraceptives, HPV vaccines), that it is challenging to make definitive recommendations for the entire male newborn population in Canada.

At the end of the day, it is ultimately the parents decision, and it should be made with all of the facts on the pros and cons of having the procedure done. If you do have the procedure, please ensure that it is done at the hospital by the OB doctor. While the numbers show most of the time everything is done correctly, the stats behind complications due to this procedure is higher than expected.

Lastly from a policy perspective, based on the decision, it is likely the procedure will remain uncovered by universal health care.

[Cain]

I'd dig into why your wife is adamant about getting it done.

I'd never think about doing it unless it was recommended for the medical health of my son. Currently it is not advised as stated above so I see zero reason to contemplate it. If your son wishes to have it done at a later date he is always able to do so, it is tougher to reverse.

I'm happy that more people are thinking about this decision instead of accepting it as something that has always been done so should be continued.

[Amethyst]

I wouldn't do it, unless there was a good reason to. It seems like the most common reasons people do it are that they prefer the look or it's always been done in the family. To me, those aren't good reasons to cut off a part of a baby's body.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

Despite it being the unpopular choice, we had our son circumcised. We went to a Doctor that used the mogen clamp.

He didn't cry. He didn't even flinch. He cried for literally ten seconds when he peed for the first day, and then it wasn't an issue at all. It's not as big a deal as what everyone tries to make it.

I firmly believe that it's only hard for the parents. And if you do decide to have it done, ensure you have one of the newer techniques to help avoid any potential issues.

Also, if anyone tries to give you grief about your decision, calmly suggest they kiss the fattest part of your posterior, and tell them to mind their own ####ing business. It's your kid; its your choice. End of story.

[adc]

I have found that most people that get their children circumcised do so a. so they "look" like their dad and b. religious reasons.

It seems at best doctors are 50/50 on the matter, with the leaning against getting it done the more it is looked at, so I would be interested to know why someone would want it done if not for the two reasons above. (If it is too personal a reason to share I understand.)

[ae118]

You've had lots of good information provided - I'd just sit down with your wife and go through it together and make a decision.

My own perspective is that unless there's a medical or spiritual reason for it, it's unnecessary. You can google the stats but I believe the majority of Canadian baby boys these days are not circumcised, but neither choice will make your baby an outlier if that concerns you.

It's amazing this thread hasn't totally derailed yet btw.


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[Cain]

Originally Posted by Francis's Hairpiece

Also, if anyone tries to give you grief about your decision, calmly suggest they kiss the fattest part of your posterior, and tell them to mind their own ####ing business. It's your kid; its your choice. End of story.

That kind of reasoning doesn't hold up, I'm sorry. We don't allow parents free reign over their children, they are not allowed to do whatever they like to them.

As a progressive society I do think that we should be examining why we do things, and if we are inflicting pain (no matter how little or inconsequential you think it is personally) then it warrants looking at why we are doing something. If it is merely because "dad is" or "an old book says we should" maybe we should hold off until there are more compelling reasons.

[FlamesAddiction]

I was cut, but I don't really see a need for it. We recently had a girl, so it was a non-issue, but it was the same with us before we knew the gender. My wife just assumed we would get him circumcised if it was a boy. I would have argued against it.

She was concerned about the "cleaning" and I said, so if it gets dirty, you clean it. It's no different than a girl. You clean the nooks and crannies if you need to.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

Originally Posted by Cain

That kind of reasoning doesn't hold up, I'm sorry. We don't allow parents free reign over their children, they are not allowed to do whatever they like to them.

As a progressive society I do think that we should be examining why we do things, and if we are inflicting pain (no matter how little or inconsequential you think it is personally) then it warrants looking at why we are doing something. If it is merely because "dad is" or "an old book says we should" maybe we should hold off until there are more compelling reasons.

Gee, I'm glad I didn't mention the tattoo sleeves we got on both his arms, or the various piercing's.

[Cain]

Originally Posted by Francis's Hairpiece

Gee, I'm glad I didn't mention the tattoo sleeves we got on both his arms, or the various piercing's.

You can make light of it all you like, but I'm not sure why you feel the need to do so. I don't think that it is a worthy procedure unless it is recommended for the medical health of a child and feel like it is downplayed for no good reason. If you disagree that is fine, you can state why you think it is worthy instead of resorting to sarcasm.