Both choices are correct, but we chose to circumcise
Jan 02 '01
Circumcision is the removal of a fold of loose skin (the foreskin) that covers the head (glans) of the unerect penis. The amount of this skin varies from virtually none, to a considerable amount that droops down from the end of the flaccid penis.
I have two sons and they both were circumcised shortly after birth. My husband and I had varying reasons for choosing to circumcise our boys. The first and foremost reasons I give is religion. The other reasons, in no particular order are: cleanliness, to "look" like daddy and because we felt it was medically smarter.
Religion
Ok, as far the religious aspect, I feel, to a point, that I am guilty of using this as an excuse so the anti-circumcision mobs don't attack me. Frankly I'm not in the mood for a circumcision debate any more than I'm in the mood for a breastfeeding one.
Yes, I *am* Jewish and the brit milah (circumcision) is supposed to be performed out of deep and abiding faith. Brit milah is supposed to be the most important commandment, yet I don't keep any of the other commandments (such as keeping kosher or not working on Sabbath) so I do feel a bit like a hypocrite for saying I circumcised my son due to my religion when I do not practice my religion completely.
Cleanliness
Even without the religious aspect we still would have chosen to circumcise our sons. I have worked in the medical field and I have seen young boys (6 and 7 years of age) come into the emergency room with infections in their penis due to not cleaning it properly. The rate of infection is low, however seeing the pain these boys were in assisted me in the decision of circumcising my future children. Now, I do realize, that by the age of 6 most boys know how to clean their penis properly but the mothers of these boys were instructed to make sure the child had cleaned his penis properly. The whole idea of checking my sons' penis at age 6 simply gives me the willies.
Like Dad
Cleanliness alone was not a reason for us to circumcise our sons. Another reason we chose to circumcise was so the boys would "look like Dad." I realize that many people consider this reason a complete cop-out because by the time the children are old enough to realize they *do not* look like Dad chances are Dad isn't wandering around naked in front of them. Well, maybe my house is weird, but growing up my mother didn't object to us coming into the bathroom while she was in the shower or getting dressed if we had a question. Our bodies were nothing to be ashamed of and I intend to raise my sons that way, therefore they will, more likely than not, be seeing their father as they grow up.
Medically
For every medical study that is pro-circumcision there comes another to dispute the evidence and so on and so forth. It seems to be a viscious cycle of evidence and rebuted evidence. However, much of the evidence makes sense to me.
It has been suggested that the increased risk of infection in the uncircumcised may be a consequence of the fact that the foreskin presents the penis with a larger surface area, the moist skin under it represents a thinner epidermal barrier than the drier, more cornified skin of the circumcised penis. The fore skin gives the penis the presence of a prepuce and it is likely to result in greater microtrauma during sexual intercourse, thereby permitting an entry point into the bloodstream for infectious agents. Also, as one might expect and as has been observed, the warm, moist mucosal environment under the foreskin favours growth of micro-organisms.
According to the CDC in 1982 it was reported that 95% of UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) in boys aged 5 days to 8 months were in uncircumcised infants. To be fair, UTI's are not common in males. According to the CDC the risk of a non-circumcised child getting a UTI is about 1:25. However the risk for a circumcised child is 1:500. The benefit appears to extend beyond childhood and into adult life. In a study of men aged, on average, 30 years, and matched for race, age and sexual activity, the circumcised had a lower rate of UTI.
Aside from UTI's several studies throughout the world have shown that STD rates are higher among non-circumcised men. At the University of Western Australia a 1983 study showed twice as much herpes and gonorrhea, 5-times more candidiasis and 5-fold greater incidence of syphilis. [1] Again, to be fair to the anti-circumcision crowd, teaching a child specific value systems that go against pre-marital sex and promiscuity will eliminate this danger.
The incidence of penile cancer in the USA is 1 per 100,000 men per year (i.e., 750-1000 cases annually) and mortality rate is 25-33% [2]. It represents approximately 1% of all malignancies in men in the USA. This data has to be viewed, moreover, in the context of the high proportion of circumcised men in the USA, especially in older age groups, and the age group affected, where older men represent only a portion of the total male population. Thus 1 in 100,000 per year of life translates to 75 in 100,000 during each man’s lifetime, but since it occurs almost entirely in uncircumcised men, if we assume that these represent 30% of males in the USA, the chance an uncircumcised man will get it would be 75 per 30,000 = 1 in 400.
If researched there are quite a few studies discussing non-circumcision and it's link to other diseases such as cervical cancer and higher risk of HIV/AIDS etc..
Overall
Overall, circumcision is a private family issue where I believe that no party is right or wrong. As parents, the decisions we make for our children are made because we strive to do what is best for them. Circumcision is no different than anything else. If the pro's and the con's are weighed, both choices are correct because it is what is in the best interest for that specific family. For all of the reasons stated above, circumcision is what was right family.
Cited Sources:
[1] Parker SW, Stewart AJ, Wren MN, Gollow MM, Straton JA. Circumcision and sexually transmissible diseases. Med J Aust 1983; 2: 288-90
[2] Kochen M, McCurdy S. Circumcision and risk of cancer of the penis. A life-table analysis. Am J Dis Child 1980; 134: 484-6
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Epinions.com ID:
Talisman
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Member: Talisman
Location: South Bend, IN
Reviews written: 83
Trusted by: 42 members
About Me:
Mom of 3 boys, working on PhD in Chemistry at University of Notre Dame.
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