For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Circumcision or no-circumcision, and why or why not??

This is a debate right now in my family. (We are not Jewish, so it would not be for religious reasons.)

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

We don't know what we're having yet but if it is a then we'll definitely be circumcising him.
My reasons are mostly 'medical.' Both my Dad and my younger brother were not circumcised as newborns because of infections, and both of them ended up having painful problems because of it, where the foreskin would get pulled back and be 'stuck' there. It was very very painful and they both ended up needing to be circumcised as young teens--which as most know is much worse than having it done as a newborn as far as recovery and everything is concerned.
So I would really like to avoid that issue if I can.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

My DS is circumcised.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Neither of my sons are circumcised and we've never had any problems. It is very simple to care for (when they are babies you just wipe it, no pulling back the foreskin).

For me, I didn't want to do it for several reasons, including the pain, the fact that it is not medically necessary, the rates are down to 50/50. Also, I felt like it was wrong to remove it just because, I felt like my sons should keep all that they were born with.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

He is getting snipped. Just a choice. No rhyme or reason.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

We really don't know. DH wants to do it, but I'm really leaning towards not wanting to. The only reason I can think of do it is just that I'm more used to circumcised boy parts. I feel like that's really not a great reason at all.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

we're not jewish and its an arguement. i say absolutely and he says no way........ ugh

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

i suppose we will circumcise. we are not Jewish, but it seems to be the norm in American culture. We both come from European cultures where people are not circumcised, but all of our generation born here were circumcised. i guess i should look into it more, but i always thought that we would because it seems, like I said before, to be the practice in the US.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

If we do end up having a we have already agreed upon that we will be circumsizing him. Both my brother are not surcumsized and I saw all the problems they had growing up with it. My younger brother still has problems, my brother even said he wishes my mother had circumsized him at the doctors one day when he was there for an infection. My DH is circumsized and he says as a circumsized male it is much more comfortable to deal with and easier to keep clean....he hated not being circumsized so much he had it done when he was 16.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Yea I can see both sides. Hubby is against it. He was not born here, and in his culture (hispanic), its not as common to get it. Im torn b/c I dont want to put the baby thru any unnecessary pain now OR later when he gets bigger.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Yes, even though where I live boys generally aren't circumcised. There's no real rhyme or reason, just our choice.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Yes, our son will. I was under the impression that all boys got this none.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

I don't know if I am having a boy or a girl, but I am definitely circumcising him for health reasons, as well as aesthetic purposes.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

I know this thread is directed at non-Jewish parents but I thought I would add my two-cents regardless which might help someone make a decision. Obviously, every male member (no pun intended )of my family is circumcised. Sure the choice was made based on religious/cultutal reasons BUT not any one of them has ever complained about it. They simply do not know any different as they have nothing else to compare it to.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

snipping it.... most people have it done and its suppose to be cleaner that way

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

we're not....DH is completely against it!

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Both my boys were. there was no question about having it done.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

we will if we have a boy. our decision is to be the same as DH

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

Yes we will

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

DS isn't. I don't believe in unnecessary surgery. I had an appendectomy a few years ago, and it was close to rupturing. I would never think of removing DS's appendix because it might get infected later..... Any surgery has risks, and I've read too many horror stories to even think about doing it. Plus, the male does lose sensitivity because of it, and I don't feel it's my right to deprive my DS of feeling for no medical reason.

I've been in Boy Scouts, HS sports, etc. If anyone makes fun of another boy's privates, it's the person staring at other boys who gets teased, not the uncircumcised kid...

The trend is turning back towards non-circumcision, so there's a good chance that the circumcised boys might get teased. You never know.

Re: For Non-Jewish Parents having a Boy

little reilly will be snipped.