OK, since I got that out of the way, let’s forget him and talk about circumcision rationally.
See, my wife and I are having a boy in February, and I find myself unexpectedly torn about this issue. One the “pro” side, I am told that:
Improper cleaning under the foreskin can lead to disease, and transmission of disease (especially yeast infections) during sex.
Any sort of vascular issues or disease, and especially diabetes later in life, can lead to problems, since the foreskin can constrict and its opening can narrow, necessitating a painful surgery.
Erections can be painful early in life, before the foreskin stretches adequately.
Cons:
If it ain’t broke, etc. Why cut something off if there’s nothing wrong with it?
Sexual sensitivity. You do get rid of nerves when you cut the foreskin. Sec is one of the really nice parts of life. I’d hate to think that I negatively impacted his sex life. On the other hand, I’m circumcised, and sex is mighty good for me, so do you miss it?
Cleaning: meh. Cleanliness should not be an issue, if he’s properly taught.
My wife was talked into not doing it. I was circumcised and don’t remember it. In either case do it or don’t . It does not matter all that much. He will survive either way and live a normal life.
Get it caught in a zipper and then he will tell you his real feelings.
I think that “painful surgery” is just an adult circumcision.
Not really much different than that done to a child, except that you are older and aware of it, and able to tell how much it hurts, and able to complain about how much it hurts during the healing. (And healing may not be as fast as for infants.)
Now that I have that out of my system, I have to admit to ambivalence about the issue myself. When I was younger, I was decidedly pro-circ. Then I was in the “if it ain’t broke…” school. Nowadays, I read that cutting might help stop the spread of HIV, and I know of a couple of diabetic guys who had to be circumcised at an advanced age (over 60 for both of them) because of persistent yeast infections. So today I really don’t know what to think, and I’m just glad that I’m not going to be having any male children.
Personally, I feel that a circumcised penis just looks cleaner and more attractive than one with a foreskin, but that’s not really a rational way to make a decision.
Whatever you decide, make sure the doctor is competent. I speak from experience. I had to have a secondary circumcision when I was 9 because of some complications. I don’t really remember what they were, but I know that I began to have trouble urinating and my folks got concerned. Maybe the foreskin wasn’t completely removed and it began to grow back. I just remember that Neosporin with a numbing agent was my friend for a week afterward.
I wouldn’t do it to my kid. Big scary adults tying you down and cutting the tip of your penis off? I don’t care if he’s not going to remember it, he’s going to experience it. And when the brain is at its most receptive, who know what kind of effect such trauma can have even if it isn’t consciously remembered.
I don’t know *how *you guys walk around with those things…
[/Elaine]
In any event, I had my son cut and it was not a very pleasant experience but I am happy we did it. Very, very few people who were cut seem to be unhappy with it (myself included) and frankly the uncircumcised seem much more angry about the whole thing. It does look cleaner and is easier to keep clean. I don’t think most women care that much (love the guy, love the penis…) but those who do seem to prefer the cut ones.
I started a thread on this when my son was about to be born - here it is - and got some rational discussion and links to some interesting articles on both sides of the debate.
These are the reasons my husband and I chose to circumcise our son. If the baby we’re expecting in a few weeks happens to be a boy, I’m not sure whether we’ll choose to circumcise again, but I’d say if you’re leaning that way, do it; if you’re not, don’t.
It’s actually nice that this hasn’t yet devolved into a flame fest. Circumcision seems to be one of the hot buttons in birth and childrearing. Oh, well - I guess there’s still time.
I really don’t think it matters much either way. You probably know that most men who are circumcised don’t miss their foreskin according to surveys, that includes me. I’ve never felt that I’m missing something.
All of my buddies are circumcised so I guess the showering with the guys in high school thing could be a factor in your decision just so that he will look the same as the majority here in the US anyway.
Cleanliness could be an issue. I don’t remember paying any special attention to the equipment until I reached puberty or even being clean in general. That is something that can be taught I guess.
As to sensitivity? Jeez, I’m mid 40’s and still have to pay attention so that I don’t reach climax too soon. Non issue I think on that point.
Removal of a body part seems serious and something not to be taken lightly.
Any medical benefits are dubious and very slight at best.
To me, and MrWhatsit, it didn’t make sense to preemptively remove a body part just because there is an extremely small chance that it could cause trouble in the future, particularly when people who still retain this body part say that they rather enjoy having it.
I guess we will never be able to compare the sensitivity and sexual pleasure of a cut and uncut penis. Depending on whether someone is circumcised as a newborn or not, the way their penis’ “wiring” develops is different, so by the time they are an adult, the relative sensitivity is something we can’t compare.
Uncut men can say “You guys are missing out”, and cut men can say “We get just as much sexual pleasure”, but I don’t think we can ever know for sure. If there are any studies that show one way or another, please share.
Having said that, and although we can’t be sure, it makes some sense that an uncut penis may be a bit more sensitive and thus provide more pleasure.
