Hi Guys,

This isn't really triplet related, other than the fact that he'll have triplet sisters... for those of you who have triplet boys you had to make the decision for three at once.

Our little guy is on his way in a couple months. We're trying to decide about circumcision. Any ideas or resources you'd share? I am cut but I'm not really sure about the need for it to be done. Arguments are out there for both sides, I'm sure lots.

So, what did you do, how did you decide? Any unbiased sources would be appreciated.


Thanks!

G Donald
Father of girls AA, BB, and CC.
Blog & Pics: www.studio-forte.biz

Hi G Donald.

I'm not sure if it is done routinely in America now or if you have to sign a waiver to not have it done. Here it is very uncommon to have a circumcision performed, and even more rare at birth.

As you said, there are arguments both for and against.... everything from hygene to religion. We decided no, because in researching the subject we couldn't find any real health risks in not being circumcised, and the fact that the larger percentage of the world's population is not. On the contrary, there are many cases of infections and difficulties that have been documented after circumcisions have been performed (although it is a very small percentage of cases overall). Teaching proper hygene to the boys will be important for us when the time comes, and that should eliminate any issues that could surface as a result of not having the procedure performed for circumcision.

There is also the issue of when your child is older and participates in sports, and could face locker room ridicule if he is different from the others, (I remember that happening to a classmate). It's probably not reason enough to make such a decision as whether to have your son circumcised or not, but it is something kids have to deal with if they are not the same as other kids.

Rick

BBG - 2 years and counting

From what I hear it is still done in most cases in our area, and the US as a whole. Though, less than it used to be. I've been leaning towards not doing it because I haven't seen a good reason to do it.

I hate to do it just for looks, which it seems is the primary thing. Other than hygiene, which is no big thing, a guy needs to shower no matter what.

The locker room thing does keep coming up in our discussions, one never knows how much of an issue that will be 13 years from now.


G Donald
Father of girls AA, BB, and CC.
Blog & Pics: www.studio-forte.biz

I hope you don't mind that I chime in on the father's board. I grew up in Europe where circumcision is nearly non-existent as Rick already mentioned, so I was not really a proponent. My son's pediatrician was definitely pro-circumcision and gave us some materials to back up her opinion that convinced us to have him circumcised right after birth. Our little boys had to wait until they were 6 months due to prematurity, which was way more of an ordeal.
Take a look at the CDC website. I don't know how reliable the info is (how sad is that) but it might help jumpstart some discussions.
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/circumcision.htm
Best of luck with one of those hard parenting decisions.
Petra
DS 08/02
DD 05/04
BBG 05/09 32.1 weeks

We had all three boys done -- like father like son was my biggest reason. Otherwise, it would just about be 6 of one kind or half dozen or something else.

Some people do get quite worked up about non-consentual "mutilation", etc.

Done quickly, no pain (or at least no crying), no problems.

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks

The decision was easy. For me to CUT OFF A PIECE OF MY SONS PENIS, there would have had to be a pretty darn good reason, and I couldn't find one, so I didn't.

Because I am circumcised I wanted to find a logical reason for circumcision, but I couldn't find any.

~Taylor
Milwaukee, WI

BBG @ 30 weeks (3lbs 3oz, 3 lbs 1oz & 2 lbs 15oz)

I went about it the same as you, looking for a logical reason for it.

Our biggest concern ended up being the locker room. It may not seem like a good reason, but taunting can be pretty bad in grade school. We talked to several nurses and our doctor, one of only a few in our area. Combined, they only came up with 3 boys they knew of that were not cut. If we lived in a larger town this wouldn't have been a concern at all. But we live in a very small rural community.

I could not find any other legitimate reasons for it though. Most 'reasons' are not backed up by very much proof.


G Donald
Father of girls AA, BB, and CC.
Blog & Pics: www.studio-forte.biz

I'm not a dad, but from what I hear, guys who are checking out other guys' penises in the locker room are far more likely to be teased than the one whose penis is intact.

If kids want to tease someone, they will find a reason. I don't think it's worth cutting off a part of your child's body just because there is a possibility that others may tease them about it - I think that gives far too much power to bullies. Circumcision rates are sharply declining in the US so it's very likely he wouldn't be the only intact boy in the locker room.

BGG born at 34 weeks on 8/12/08