If you were on the border...?

of deciding whether or not to get your son circumsized, would you be more likely to get the procedure knowing it reduces the risk of HIV infection up to 60%?

a boy is born perfect!!! why cut him up...it should be his choice~

In the American Medical Association's report they evaluate every possible medical "benefit" and conclude that none of them are justifiable. And even if they were, the same benefit can be accomplished by simply taking a shower each day and washing yourself with warm water, like you would every other body part. The British Medical Association has taken a strong stand against infant circumcision, and the Canadian Pediatric Society doesn't recommend it either. The royal Australasian College of Physicians has found no medical reason for infant circumcision, and its statement has been supported by the Paediatrics & Child Health Division of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons, New Zealand Society of Paediatric Surgeons, Urological Society of Australasia, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand.The American Academy of Family Physicians has found no justification for the procedure; the describe it as only cosmetic. Their paper.

There are a growing number of men who are extremely angry with doctors and parents who do this to them. Some have even had depression over it, and there are support groups for them all over the country. (click here) Many go to great lengths to restore their foreskin. One Doctor said recently, "There are well over a million men estimated in America that would pay good money to have their foreskins restored were there an effective procedure." (link to his paper) There are also a number of lawsuits against parents and doctors for performing this without any medical reason.

It has also been medically proven that circumcision greatly reduces sensation. This is because the foreskin itself has far more specialized nerves in it than the rest of the penis. If you cut them off, obviously you cant feel them anymore. A study recently published in the British Journal of Urology proved that the most sensitive parts of the penis are on the foreskin itself. The researchers had this to say:

The glans of the circumcised penis is less sensitive to fine touch than the glans of the uncircumcised penis. The transitional region from the external to the internal prepuce is the most sensitive region of the uncircumcised penis and more sensitive than the most sensitive region of the circumcised penis. Circumcision ablates the most sensitive parts of the penis.Here is a link to the study itself.

Also, in an intact male, the foreskin covers the glans(head) of the penis, keeping it wet and soft. The skin on the glans is only one cell thick, which makes it far more sensitive to touch. When the foreskin is removed, the head gets dry since it is constantly exposed to the air. And since it rubs against clothing and diapers, it grows a thick layer of keratin(thats what your fingernails are made of) to protect itself from being damaged. The skin gets to be about 15 cells thick. This means you wont be able to feel as much during sex or masturbation.

Absolutely.

i did, but it i more or less a personal decision. it is whatever you think is right. and there are pros and cons with both ways. good luck in deciding.

Yes, i got my son done!!

No. I would teach him how NOT to get HIV. But either way first I woudl have to believe that were true.

That's not why I had my son's procedure done. Honestly, I did it because the majority of American men are circumcized and I didn't want my son to feel embarassed or self conscious if he were "different" in that part of his body. Not to mention, it's cleaner, and, like you mentioned, a greatly reduced risk of infection. I'm pretty sure if you went ahead w/ it, your son won't come back to you years from now and ask why you did it. However, if you don't, he may decide later to have it done, when it will be a lot more embarassing and painful for him. Go ahead and have it done and stop obsessing, there are way more things to worry about as they get older. You'll be ok!

Its all pros's and cons .. hes is at no higher risk of HIV as a circumcised male, he must practise safe sex .. its higher risk for the woman he has sex with to get cervical cancer !! Its mainly the father that has the influence as he wants "his son to be like him" ..There are very limited good doctors that will do it here in Australia as what the point putting the baby through that pain.. As for cleaner debate , well that all depends on how you teach your child to look after themselves . My son is not done and he has never had a problem and most of his friends arnt either , I'm expecting my second son and he wont be done either . My husband is done and I'm so glad hes not one of those males that are adamant he the sons get done as he was !
Why do we have it in the first place ? don't take of part of a body that really doesn't need to be.. my opinion anyway
good luck

yes

If it is unnecessary then why do I know of 2 adult males that have had to be circumsized in adulthood?? I am asking honestly, not sarcastically. I had my boys circumsized due to this and this is just 2 that I know of, I am sure it happens a lot more, people just don't talk about it.

MamaB - If you are asking honestly, keep in mind that things can go wrong with any part of the body. It is common for people to have appendices and gallbladders removed if those organs become inflamed, but such procedures are not routine. Most uncircumcised men have no problems, but as with anything else, there can be problems.

I have heard that circ'ed men are less likely to contract HIV, but you have to realize that lifestyle is a larger risk factor. Most people do not make a decision on circumcision based on only one factor.