https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 03:59:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts/page/2#post-149679 Sun, 06 May 2012 10:39:38 +0000 mrbee 149679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>&lt;&lt;@mrbee: i'm not saying that anyone crossed any lines nor have I requested a topic be closed. I simply feel that this is not the place for an in depth discussion on the issue. I hope I am allowed to disagree with another poster and actually say so rather than just exiting the thread without leaving a comment. &gt;&gt; </p> <p>@cupcakemama: You can definitely disagree with another poster!</p> <p>It seems like this thread has run its course, so I will go ahead and close it... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts/page/2#post-149677 Sun, 06 May 2012 10:35:23 +0000 Honeybee 149677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's a decision each family should make for themselves, based on what is best for them individually. Personally, I researched this subject a lot, and I'm not really convinced either way. I didn't have strong feeling one way or the other, but my husband felt very strongly that DS should be circumcised, so that's what we did. If we have another boy in the future, we'll probably do it with him, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts/page/2#post-149555 Sun, 06 May 2012 08:10:29 +0000 tequiero21 149555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Son got one. It wasn't a life altering decision...more like, yeah I guess so. </p> <p>I know people who got it later in life and it is PAINFUL... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts/page/2#post-149404 Sat, 05 May 2012 21:16:14 +0000 cupcakemama 149404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right. So it's just me, clearly. As I am obviously the negative force in this discussion and clearly over sensitive - maybe because this is a decision I have actually had to make, not just ' researched'- I will refrain from any further comment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts/page/2#post-149402 Sat, 05 May 2012 21:10:47 +0000 cupcakemama 149402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: my issue is more with your original post as being presented as 'these are the facts on circumcision'. There are clearly 2 sides to the debate. If you go looking you can find studies that will support either side and present them as The Facts. Better to present the links to the websites and studies and let others read for themselves. Then they know the background to those studies and the scientific rigor in which they were conducted.</p> <p>We will have to agree to disagree on this one. We discuss all kinds of topics on HB. This has certainly been a lesson to me because I can tell you that it does not feel great to read a post saying these are all the reasons why doing x is an awful thing to do your child when you have made the decision to do x. Even though you are comfortable with that decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts/page/2#post-149400 Sat, 05 May 2012 21:00:42 +0000 oliviaoblivia 149400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I appreciated what you shared and didn't feel at all that you were preachy or over-stepped the issue. I'm sorry this has turned into a negative thread.<br /> I think circumcision is an important decision and like that on Hellobee we can talk about these things together without judgement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts/page/2#post-149388 Sat, 05 May 2012 20:41:08 +0000 Arden 149388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here on hellobee we discuss many very controversial topics like co-sleeping, breast or formula, vaccinations, etc, but overall I've been pleased to see that hellobee members are respectful and not accusatory in sharing their opinions. </p> <p>I certainly don't mean for people to take my word on anything, I hope that what I share simply gets people thinking so that they can do the research for themselves and make the decision that is best for their family. </p> <p>If we can't talk and share our thoughts and opinions on pregnancy, baby, and parenting decisions here, then where can we? As long as we keep it civil and respectful, I think these types of discussions are very helpful to other parents and serve as a springboard to doing more personal research. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149348 Sat, 05 May 2012 20:09:31 +0000 cupcakemama 149348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: i'm not saying that anyone crossed any lines nor have I requested a topic be closed. I simply feel that this is not the place for an in depth discussion on the issue. I hope I am allowed to disagree with another poster and actually say so rather than just exiting the thread without leaving a comment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149267 Sat, 05 May 2012 18:34:08 +0000 mrbee 149267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cupcakemama: Sorry, we can't really ban a discussion topic when it's about a decision that many parents have to make!</p> <p>All we can do is ensure that there are no personal attacks in people's posts... I think that was the case here. If you feel otherwise, please do leave a post on my wall and let me know which language you feel crossed the line! I'd be glad to take a second look. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149253 Sat, 05 May 2012 18:13:46 +0000 cupcakemama 149253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I just don't think an internet forum is the appropriate place for such a detailed discussion on such a personal issue. I think people need to do their own research in their time. And not feel judged by others if they go against the popular or loudest opinion.</p> <p>@Arden: as I said earlier, for every study against there is probably a study for. Do I feel like sharing evidence? Not really. It's not my place to educate you or anyone else. I am not holding myself up as an expert on the subject. Just a mum who had to make the decision and took it very seriously. I also completely respect parents who went the other way and choose not to go into depth about my personal decision as I would not want others to feel bad or attacked about their choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149224 Sat, 05 May 2012 16:31:11 +0000 Arden 149224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cupcakemama: I'm very sorry if I offended you.<br /> I shared my opinion because the OP asked why/why not and wanted to know our reasoning, so I was just trying to share the basis behind our decision. I think that it is important to talk and share about these important issues, as long as we do so in a respectful way.<br /> If you would like to share your opinion and the evidence for circumcision, I wouldn't have a problem with that at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149188 Sat, 05 May 2012 13:35:34 +0000 cyneswith 149188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH was circumcised to "match his dad". While I'm leaving the decision up to him (and requiring him to do research into it), I am opposed to the idea. Cutting off body parts when the body part is not causing harm to the person seems like a bad idea to me. If we were Jewish, I wouldn't question it, but we're not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149164 Sat, 05 May 2012 12:35:57 +0000 prettylizy 149164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lol at the match their daddy thing too! I asked DH if his father was cric'd, he gave me this look and said 'I don't now! Why would I look at my dads junk?' and so ended our discussion about matching. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149159 Sat, 05 May 2012 12:21:04 +0000 Beyond2 149159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really appreciate everyone's comments! I know this is a strong discussion for many, but honestly that is what I need to hear. My husband and I are on the fence leaning slightly towards not circumcising if we have a boy. My husband was circumcised for medical reason around the age of 5 so we kind of have an alternative perspective. I've looked into both sides pretty heavily and I wanted to see what concepts motivated most peoples decision on the topic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149141 Sat, 05 May 2012 11:30:59 +0000 Shimmer 149141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ohapostrophe: Yeah, DH said the same thing about the locker room comments. A lot of high schools are doing away with one open shower in favor of stall showers in our area anyway... so it may not even be an issue! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149140 Sat, 05 May 2012 11:27:43 +0000 cvbee 149140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't even though DH is. </p> <p>We feel it is unnecessary and weird unless for a religious reason. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149133 Sat, 05 May 2012 11:20:44 +0000 ohapostrophe 149133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shimmer: it kind of makes me laugh!</p> <p>I also don't get the "don't want to get made fun of in the locker room" argument, which I've seen elsewhere. DH always says that it would be the kid looking and making comments about someone else's junk that would get made fun of! I just think it's such a private thing (and for that reason I won't discuss what we chose to do), but oh man people get worked up about it (on both sides)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149131 Sat, 05 May 2012 11:17:02 +0000 Shimmer 149131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ohapostrophe: Even though I have that as part of my to circ or not to circ argument, I agree that it's a strange concept (to me!) to have the boys "match" their dad. </p> <p>That being said, DH is circ'd, but he doesn't have a preference as to what happens with our boys. *shrugs* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149097 Sat, 05 May 2012 09:47:11 +0000 mrbee 149097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ohapostrophe: I think the argument is more that the dad will feel matched to his son, as opposed to both feeling like they match?</p> <p>The dad will definitely see his son naked, unless he manages to avoid every single bath and diaper change! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149092 Sat, 05 May 2012 09:41:46 +0000 ohapostrophe 149092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really don't understand the "look like dad" argument. First of all, I don't think dads sit around comparing penises with their kids. Second, baby penises and dad penises look NOTHING alike, regardless of circ status. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149059 Sat, 05 May 2012 09:10:05 +0000 Shimmer 149059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Interesting! Thanks for the link! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149057 Sat, 05 May 2012 09:08:58 +0000 winniebee 149057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Right - there are arguments in favor of medical benefits, but there is nothing conclusive one way or the other - ie, that medically it's the way to go or the way not to go (again I'm not in medicine!) </p> <p>I do not have strong views on it either way - I more or less left the decision up to my husband - and he feels strongly about not circumcising. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149056 Sat, 05 May 2012 09:07:42 +0000 ChelseaRose 149056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If we have a boy, then I will let my husband decide. He is circumcised and will probably decide to have our future son(s) circumcised as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149053 Sat, 05 May 2012 08:59:31 +0000 mrbee 149053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shimmer: Supposedly, rates are significantly down:</p> <p>&lt;&lt; The slide portrays a precipitous drop in circumcision, to just 32.5 percent in 2009 from 56 percent in 2006. The numbers are based on calculations by SDI Health, a company in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., that analyzes health care data; they do not include procedures outside hospitals (like most Jewish ritual circumcisions) or not reimbursed by insurance. &gt;&gt;</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/health/research/17circ.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/health/research/17circ.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149050 Sat, 05 May 2012 08:55:01 +0000 mrbee 149050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cupcakemama: I thought that Arden's post did a good job of not being an attack or judgement? I do think it's good for people to discuss issues as education can definitely help inform people in making tough decisions!</p> <p>@winniebee: I've seen several references to medical benefits from circumcision:</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/health/research/report-says-circumcision-may-reduce-risk-of-prostate-cancer.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/health/research/report-says-circumcision-may-reduce-risk-of-prostate-cancer.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/health/18global.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/health/18global.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E7DD1E3FF931A2575BC0A96E9C8B63" rel="nofollow">http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E7DD1E3FF931A2575BC0A96E9C8B63</a></p> <p>That said, "The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend routine neonatal circumcision, saying its medical benefits — including a slightly lower risk of urinary tract infections early in life, a lower risk of rare penile cancer and a lower risk of sexually transmitted infections later — are meager."</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/health/23consumer.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/health/23consumer.html</a></p> <p>Personally, we didn't circumcise Charlie because it's a decision that you can't easily unmake. So I made the personal decision to leave him as he is for now (given the lack of overwhelming benefit) and I figured that he would be in a position to make his own decision himself in the future if he wanted to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149036 Sat, 05 May 2012 08:39:02 +0000 Shimmer 149036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on the fence but I'm leaning towards not circ'ing our sons. DH is circumcised, and that is the ONLY reason why I'm considering it - to have the boys look like their dad. DH doesn't have a preference. </p> <p>I'm a nurse and during my mother/baby rotation, I had to assist in several circumcisions. It was not a pleasant experience.</p> <p>I have seen many debates on birth boards and whatnot. There are plenty of sources supporting both sides of the argument. I personally feel that it isn't medically necessary, but I feel the pressure from society (in the US) to circ my boys so they "look like the other boys" and won't get teased. My midwives said that the circ rate is about 50% - so my "worries" about society may be unfounded.</p> <p>We still have time to decide. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-149030 Sat, 05 May 2012 08:27:59 +0000 winniebee 149030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are having a son and will not be circumcising him. DH is not circumcised, either. DH is also in medicine and (according to him) there's no proven medical benefit to circumcision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-148998 Sat, 05 May 2012 07:28:55 +0000 looch 148998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought that the circ was a routine procedure done after the baby boy's birth. When we were at the hospital for our tour, I asked about it, and was informed that the hospital considers it major surgery and requires general anesthesia, so they will not perform it unless medically necessary. So, we didn't circumcise, but will revisit if there are complications down the line. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-148982 Sat, 05 May 2012 06:32:21 +0000 oliviaoblivia 148982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We won't be circumcising if it's a boy. Personally, I prefer sex with uncircumcised penises. And it's not something I could stomach doing to a perfect little baby, but I appreciate the religious and cultural reasons that motivate others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-thoughts#post-148970 Sat, 05 May 2012 04:18:02 +0000 mediagirl 148970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are not having a boy but if we did, he would be circumcised. Just like one of our English friends who did not want their son circumcised, we feel our son should be like Dad. </p>