My circumcision decision.

Before reading this, please note it is not meant to stir up controversy. This is my thought process when I was doing research and considering the options while pregnant with my son. If you came to a different decision it is none of my concern. People gave me all sorts of reasons why they made whatever choice they did and I respect that. You made your choice based on the values that were important to you, this was me sorting out what's important to me.  If you feel as though you might be offended please do not read this post as this is not intended to spark debate, just trying to provide information I discovered along my journey.


So the first step in my research was to ask around. I asked mothers of boys what they did. I found that most mothers I asked kept their boys intact stating "there is just no point". Those that chose to circumcise gave mostly the same reasons. I have listed them below, along with my research regarding them.

1. He should look like his dad.

When I heard this I was a little confused. Why? Why does he need to look like his dad? Personally I don't know what my dad's penis looks like and neither does my husband. Besides that, his dad's penis will be much larger and probably have hair surrounding it. Thats probably the difference my son will notice, not the foreskin. If you can explain the hair, you can explain why he has a foreskin. I have never been in the situation, but I would imagine my sons reaction wouldn't be "I want a piece of my penis cut off too!" it would more likely be "poor daddy." Besides that, my husband is never home, so I will be the one potty training him, and heaven knows my parts don't look anything like his!

2. Doctors recommend it

My doctor doesn't. So I asked her about it. She says that some doctors are behind the times and are not up to date in their research. In fact they are going against their own medical associations by doing that and could face troubles with their license. No medical association in the world recommends routine infant circumcision. According to the Canadian Pediatric society, the risks and costs involved in the process is greater than any risk associated with leaving baby boys intact.

Here is the link to the Canadian Pediatric Society report on the subject.

3. It's easier to take care of

Another thing I had to look into having never had a penis before! The proper way to clean an intact penis? Wipe it off like you would a finger. How is doing nothing harder?? I would imagine that wiping it off is actually much easier than the gauze and vaseline procedure that comes along with post-procedure diaper changes.

4. It's cleaner

Another one I had to look into! I discovered that the foreskin is there to protect the glans (which is the internal part of the genitalia in both males and females) which is very important especially in the diaper wearing years. My doctor informed me that until the foreskin retracts on its own (which can occur any time between age 5 and puberty) it should not be touched, it is basically a self cleaning device much like the female's vagina. (Thats why it is never recommended to use a douche)

5. It protects against STDs.

You know what else protects against STDs? CONDOMS! and every male should be wearing one circumcised or not! In my research the higher incidence of STDs was minimal but it was there. To me I don't think surgery as an infant should replace talking to your kids about safe sex.

6. It looks better/women prefer it

How do we as parents know what our children's sexual partners will prefer? And since one of the functions of the foreskin is to reach the female's g-spot I'd imagine that female wouldn't mind it. Did you know that the risk or erectile dysfunction is 4.5 times higher in circumcised males?? The most sensitive part of their penis is constantly exposed to stimuli and therefore loses sensation. As far as looks go, the difference is only apparent when the penis is flaccid. When erection occurs the foreskin retracts and all the penises look the same (well, the circumcised one might be a little more veiny...and sometimes crooked) Besides that - since when do we preform procedures on our children just for them to "look better"? Baby cosmetic surgery? it's just a weird idea to me.

9. It's better to do it as babies because it won't hurt as much

This one I had to go to my aunt about. She is a child pain specialist in the UK. She laughed when I asked her. Hurts less? It's excruciating! After studying brain patterns during procedures she doesn't understand why anyone would think that. Remember, that baby is TINY. He can't take pain killers, they use a light topical anesthetic and snip away. If the man chooses to get it done as an adult he can have pain killers for the procedure and the recovery - seems a little more fair to me.

10, It's a family decision

This is usually the polite way for people to say "I don't want to talk about it" which is fine, they don't have to. But I asked myself = why is it a family decision. Why is it not HIS decision. I would be a little upset if my family got together and decided something so permanent about MY body without consulting me. If it was medically necessary THEN I would understand that the parents have to make a choice, but it isn't so I don't get it.

11. (I really wish I had only 10 but this is the last one I swear) It's the norm.

Maybe when we were babies it was the norm in Canada but the truth it it isn't even close. Did you know that the worldwide rate in 2006 was below 10%?? and that fewer than 14% of male neonates were circumcised in Canada in 2003?

Did you know that that same list of reasons is why female circumcision (or as you might know it "genital mutilation") is practiced in countries like Africa? (remember when we were all up in arms about that?)

After I answered all of those questions in my head I had learned WAY more than just those answers. Stuff that I am not sure most people realize.

Did you know that circumcision effects the child's ability to breastfeed?

Did you know that 117 babies DIE as a result of circumcision in the US every year? Thats more than car accidents, second hand smoke and SIDS.

Did you know that infections that occur BECAUSE of circumcision are at a higher rate than the ones they supposedly prevent?

The list of risks associated with circumcision is much longer than the "risk" of keeping them intact.

Well its obvious the choice I made and I hope that if any one else is faced with the decision they do as much research into it as I did.

Thank you for your time.