If you're expecting a baby boy you've probably noticed the circumcision debate. You may be wondering what you should do. Do you leave your son intact or have him circumcised?
Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin from the glans of the penis. You should know that it is an amputation. Part of your son’s body will be forcibly torn from his penis and cut off.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Some parents choose circumcision for religious reasons. It is a religious practice for families practicing Judaism and Islam. Many Christian families also choose circumcision. There are other cultures throughout the world that circumcision is a traditional practice in.
Though routine circumcision is traditional for some religions and cultures it is important to realize that thoughts on the surgery are changing. Many religious groups are giving up circumcision and choosing new rituals that do not hurt young boys. The Jewish ritual of Brit Shalom is one example. It is a time of peace and a celebration of the blessing of a son.
Other parents choose to have their sons circumcised because they believe it is cleaner. It is true that an uncircumcised penis requires a little more work to keep clean, but it is only slightly more work. In the early years of a young boy's life cleaning is exactly the same. As a boy grows he can be taught to retract his own foreskin and rinse with warm water – just a young girl is taught to gently wash her genitals.
A circumcised penis is actually more susceptible to infection in the early days, when it is a raw, open wound. Throughout the diapered years a little boy has slightly less protection from his own feces and the chemicals and fragrances that may be in his diapers.
A Trend on the Decine
The current trend in circumcision is a decline. No medical bodies anywhere in the world recommend routine circumcision. Some government insurance programs are dropping their coverage of the procedure. Fewer families are choosing to have their baby boys circumcised. By the time your son reaches school age the locker room may have more intact boys than it does circumcised boys.
Some fathers want their sons to be the same as them. This is an issue you and your partner need to consider together. I encourage you to research it intensely, however.
The choice you make about circumcising your son will have a lifelong impact on him. Take your religious and culture choices into account. Also be sure to read current medical literature. Know that organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics speak out against routine infant circumcision. Once you have thoroughly researched the procedure and all its possible complications you will know if it’s the right choice for your son.