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Should Your Son Be Circumcised?
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics' position on circumcision states that there's not enough medical evidence to recommend it to everybody, two recent studies offer strong evidence that circumcision can be beneficial to your child's health. A 2006 study in the journal Pediatrics found that uncircumcised men are three times more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease than men who have been circumcised, and a Kenyan study in the Lancet found that circumcision reduced the risk of HIV infection in heterosexual men by as much as 60 percent. (Even though experts aren't completely sure how circumcision lowers a man's risk of HIV, most theorize that the foreskin contains receptors that the virus attaches to or that the foreskin gets microscopic tears during intercourse, making it easier for the virus to enter the bloodstream.)
These results were enough for the American Urological Association to recommend that circumcision be presented to parents as an option with health benefits. "Sixty percent lower risk of HIV is an astronomical success rate -- especially when you consider that there is no cure for AIDS," explains Craig Niederberger, MD, head of the department of urology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Not so fast, say other experts. For starters, that study was done in Africa, where the virus is rampant. The risk of HIV to men in the United States is much lower. "Even if you circumcise your son, you'll still need to teach him about abstinence and safe sex," says Parents advisor Jennifer Shu, MD, coauthor of Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality.
Although it's true that circumcision does reduce a baby's risk of getting a urinary-tract infection (UTI), the fact is that UTIs are not very common in boys. The same goes for penile cancer, which is diagnosed in fewer than 1,600 men every year.
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The idea that one can legally amputate the most important part of a victim's body against his will is very interesting. Not that I would ever do it to an innocent child. I need to deal with this certain building inspector. I would like to amputate him. I would like to do it without any pain relief, and if the pain, blood loss, or infection doesn't do him in, at least I shall be content with the fact the he can never enjoy his girl friend again.
12/18/2011 10:27:45 PM Report AbuseI am so glad i chose not to circumcise my 3rd son its nothing but pain and they messed my 2nd sons penis up i will never ever do this again and the only reason i did it was what everyone else was filling my head but im happy with my 3rd son just the way he came out
9/25/2011 08:41:48 PM Report AbuseI now have a newborn grandson, and yes, I believe health issue wise, males should be circumcised. My girlfriend and I were in disagreement on this. She seems to think its cruel and no health issues mandates this. He was circumcised before leaving the hospital, as were my 2 sons at birth. This article I feel sets the record straight in my opinion! Thank you for confronting this issue. Helped alot. Now I can forward it to her and say, no Health issues you said? read this! (:
8/27/2011 11:51:40 AM Report AbuseCircumcision is the most vile and violent thing anyone could ever do to their baby, and those who perform mutilation on babies should be locked up for life, along with their perverted and sick parents. Fortunately men now have the legal right to sue both the doctor and parents for committing this criminal act.
6/27/2011 11:36:30 PM Report AbuseFrankly, if a boy does notice a difference, it will be size or pubic hair. Parents considering infant circumcision should REALLY check out Circumcision Decision-Maker at http://circumcisiondecisionmaker.com It takes you through each of your reasons for wanting circumcision one at a time and then gives you some expert opinion. It also has a lot of information on anatomy and washing instructions.
4/24/2011 07:14:01 PM Report AbuseBabies aren't having intercourse, so the HIV reason is moot. Parents considering infant circumcision should REALLY check out Circumcision Decision-Maker at http://circumcisiondecisionmaker.com It takes you through each of your reasons for wanting circumcision one at a time and then gives you some expert opinion. It also has a lot of information on anatomy and washing instructions.
4/24/2011 07:12:33 PM Report AbuseWhy amputate a healthy, functional part of my newborn's body for cosmetic reasons? Whatever happened to don't fix what isn't broken.
1/15/2011 12:34:28 PM Report AbuseSo, dad lost his leg, lets go get jr's leg cut off too! Now the circ rate is down to 30%, so those who have it done, will be the odd man out!
1/13/2011 10:16:19 AM Report AbuseThe U.S. has the highest rate of circumcision in all developed countries, but wait that can not be right because the U.S. also has the highest rate of std's...hmmmm? Cutting pieces off of ppl when they can not say a word or defend themselves is so wrong!!!Should be against the law!!!
1/13/2011 10:13:46 AM Report AbuseCutting off and mutilating a babies penis is not right, it is not a choice and it should be against the law. I hope every mother how chooses this is forced to watch it, and someday has to answer to her son as to why she felt she had that kind of control over his body!
1/13/2011 10:10:37 AM Report AbuseHere's an American male's response: Choice: A man who was circumcised as an infant has lost his right to an intact, normal, and whole penis and the right to control what happens to his own body. The male Prepuce (foreskin) provides protective, sensual, and sexual functions. BOTTOM LINE: HIS PENIS, ONLY HIS CHOICE. Men (and women) who are allowed as children to keep their whole, intact, normal genitalia, DON'T choose to amputate parts as adults!
10/3/2010 01:16:57 PM Report Abusecan i circunsice a 3 years old boy? with no pain?
8/16/2010 12:33:29 PM Report AbuseI'm not that barbaric!
1/30/2010 10:07:57 AM Report Abuse