I completely think its up to the parents, and that it is more culturally pressured in the United States. My son is circumsized and if I had another boy I would do the same. My reasoning is based on personal experience. Both of my grandfathers and my ex husbands grandfather had to be circumsized in their 70's due to medical issues. All 3 of them suffered a great deal of pain which they wouldn't have had to face if it had been done when they were infants. Also, I know 2 teenagers that have opted to go in and have it done because of being teased in the locker room and they went through a really painful experience as well. As infants they don't have as much sensitivity as they do once they begin puberty, and they don't have the memory either. My son was circumsized at 1 day old. He peed on the doctor and fell asleep during the procedure and had no problems with it. However, I completely understand why many parents opt not to have it done, and there is no reason it is necessary as long as you teach your child how to care for themselves and stay healthy. It really just depends on what you and the father agree on.

new mami wrote:

QUOTE:
I just had a baby boy and my husband and I decided not to circumsize him. My husband was against it because he has not been and I am really in a neutral position. It isnt necessary and my husband and I made the final decision because it should be the boys choice not the parents. When he gets older he will have the choice to do it or not instead of already having the decision made for him. But when you do have the boy and you dont circumsize him just remember you do have to pull the extra skin back little by little so the penis can work its way through.

My OBGYN told me never to touch the foreskin and that doing so can casue damage. She said the only one who is supposed to touch the foreskin is the owner of the penis when he is old enought to understand what it is. Is this not correct? I have heard a lot of conflicting information on how the foreskin is to be cared for, could someone with experience help clear this up for me? Thanks.

CARIANN~ I WAS TOLD BY MY MIDWIFE TO PULL IT BACK GENTLY AS FAR AS IT WILL GO TO CLEAN IT BUT DON'T FORCE IT BACK THAT IT WILL COME THROUGH WHEN THE BABY GETS HIS FIRST REAL ERECTION AT ABOUT 5 I THINK SHE SAID. IT IS IMPORTANT TO HELP HIM KEEP IT CLEAN AND TO TEACH HIM HOW TO PROPERLY CARE FOR IT.

Just thought I would post a pro-circumcision entry. Of course, it is the parents choice and I don't think negatively of anyone for not doing it. That doctor who said it was up to the dad is crazy! Anyway, we did it with our son and had a wonderful experience. I did it with his future in mind because I believe that most people still do it. I wanted him to look like his daddy and not have any negative girl experiences later on in life (I know, weird to think of that stuff already for your baby, but I did.) they took him to do it and gave him tylenol before had. He was back in about 15 minutes and asleep! He never cried or had any problems with it during diaper changes, I was amazed. I was really stressed about it, but now I know not to be. It really isn't this huge thing to protect them against, he had a much harder time with the mandatory heel prick! Now I am so glad we did for cleaning issues. You know what it is like to clean something on a 3 year old they don't want cleaned? And have to do that everday? Forget about it. Just wanted to give my positive experience! If I were to have another boy, I would do it again.

I have three boys and they all had a circumcision.Two of them were done at 1 day old and one was done at 1 week old.The reason why I waited was because the doctor I wanted to preform the circumcision was away on vacation.Once you decide that you want it done you have to make sure that the doctor that is going to do it has done it before.You don't want your baby to be the first time for that doctor.Find out if the doctor has done it before and when was his last time.
If I have anouther boy I would do it again.Boys are not the cleanest and I couldn't imagin making sure that they pulled back their skin to clean up.I also thought about when they get older and didn't want them to be teased in the locker room or rejected by a girl.

I agree with circumsising! I hate uncercumsised penis! They are ugly and I would never do one! They look like sausage burritos! EEEWWW!!! My son will be circumsised!