The vast majority of the world does not practice circumcision as a routine procedure at birth for male babies. In fact, the rest of the world that does practice circumcision does so for religious beliefs in most cases. In the United States, circumcision began as a way to keep boys from masturbating. For some reason it was mistakenly determined that not being circumcised would lead to more masturbation and self pleasure. This was not in keeping with the idea of purity and self control that was popular in the country at the time so more and more baby boys were circumcised.

Then, the news came along that circumcision was an important method of keeping STDs at bay and even potentially reducing the risk of AIDS. Of course, parents worried about their child becoming ill at some point in the future when they became sexually active decided to circumcise their child.

Also, it was believed that circumcised penises were cleaner than non circumcised penises. In fact, parents believed that by circumcising their child he would be able to keep himself clean and lower the risk of illnesses, infections, and the like.

During this trend, the idea cropped up that circumcised penises were more attractive than non circumcised penises. So, parents did not want their sons to be made fun of in locker room showers or to be shunned by girlfriends and potential wives. As a result, circumcision became even more popular.

All of these reasons are why circumcision is so popular in the US. In other parts of the world, circumcision is not considered important and the circumcised penis is actually considered unattractive. The interesting thing, though, is that a penis when erect looks exactly the same regardless of whether it has been circumcised or not. Because of this many women may have no idea that they are with a man who has not been circumcised until after the point. In this case, it does not matter much at that point anyway.

These are just some of the reasons why parents choose circumcision over non circumcision. However, it really is important to do some research on what takes place during a circumcision and how this affects the child long term, rather than just during the period of the surgery and the recovery time frame.

Many people decide for or against circumcision before they know much about it. This is a decision that should be taken very seriously and one that is evaluated from both sides. If you are not interested in circumcision and have all the facts on why you should not circumcise your child then you may be interested in some of the reasons why you should.

The major reasons why parents circumcise their sons is because of medical reason, personal/religious beliefs, and social pressure. The procedure is fast and simple, although it likely causes slight pain to the infant. There are several benefits circumcised males experience, according to studies.

One study shows that infants who have been circumcised have lower chances of having urinary tract infections. The study found that uncircumcised boys were 10 times more likely to develop this infection. Urinary tract infection in newborns can be dangerous and lead to other infection and complications like bone marrow infection, kidney failure, meningitis and the like.

Other benefits of circumcising your son include lowering his risk for thrush, penile cancer, STDs, and the like. Currently, there are conflicting reports about whether circumcising or not circumcising will help reduce the risk of AIDS and other STDs.

Another benefit of circumcision is that boys will have less infection and irritation, like posthitis, paraphimosis, balantis, and the like. Some studies also show that women may be at risk when they have sexual partners who have not been circumcised. This is because complications in the women like ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer, herpes, and even Chlamydia could develop.

Some doctors and parents feel that circumcising their child will allow them to care for their own body and bathe it. Parents should teach their children how to care for a penis that has not been circumcised so that they may ensure proper hygiene and reduce the risk of catching an infection.

In general, Americans find a circumcised penis more attractive, so this is a pro for circumcision. Your child will look most like the rest of his peers and will not be made fun of for being circumcised. It’s a good idea, too, for the son to look like his father.

There are many things that come into play when it comes to circumcision and the two sides. However, this is a topic that parents will need to consider and discuss to ensure they make the right decision for them.

If you are Jewish and plan on having children, you may very well choose to have your son circumcised at a Bris Milah. While circumcision is almost universal among Jews, the specifics of the celebratory ceremony vary from family to family in regards to how closely traditional ritual is followed. If you do choose to have your son circumcised at a Bris, it is important to become educated with the symbolism behind this important ritual, and know what will be expected of you as the parent of a Jewish boy.

Traditionally, a Jewish child will be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, at a public (or private) ceremony in front of the family’s friends and relatives. The circumcision represents the covenant God made with the Jewish people long ago during the biblical age. By having all Jewish males circumcised at birth, the Jewish people renew this covenant with God and grow as a community of faith. Translated literally, the name “Bris Milah” means “covenant to cut”.

You are probably wondering what the significance the eighth day holds to the Jewish people. As you may know, Jewish believers (and believers of other faiths) believe that God created the physical world in seven days. Once a newborn has lived through a seven day cycle, he has left the physical world and begun his metaphysical connection with God. The child is now ready to accept his predestined covenant with God, which is symbolized by the circumcision procedure.

Two important people at a Bris ceremony is the mohelim, the circumciser (usually a doctor and/or a rabbi), and the sandak, the person who holds the infant during the Bris. The sandak is a very high honor given to someone who will help guide the infant throughout his life and with who he will share a spiritual connection with.

Using a form of anesthesia is varied among Jewish circumcisions, and most circumcisers (or “mohelim” as they are called in the Jewish faith) do not routinely use pain management techniques on the newborn, claiming that the technique is so quick that it is not necessary. However, if you object to this stance, the mohelim rarely protest the inclusion of pain relief for the infant into the procedure.

The Bris ceremony is not solely about the circumcision of the newborn- an equally important aspect of the ceremony is naming of the child. Some Jewish parents choose to name the newborn after a deceased relative, while others may choose to name the newborn after a living relative. In fact, some Jewish males are given more than one name in the Bris ceremony. It is all up to the desires of the parents.

Although there are risks associated with circumcision, it is extremely rare for the procedure to result in death. In fact, the statistics for death range anywhere from 1 in 500,000 to 1 in 2,000,000 newborns. What is more likely is for circumcision to cause death indirectly, through consequences that would not have developed if the child had not been circumcised. Therefore, it’s important to factor in this possibility when you are evaluating all the risks and benefits of circumcision before coming to a final decision.

The following things can all lead to death if not addressed quickly enough, even though most seem fairly minor. It’s important to remember that we are dealing with newborns that have been through a significant recent trauma, and their systems have not yet adjusted to life outside the protected womb. Blood loss, anesthetic, systemic infection, urinary tract infection (UTI), anesthesia complications, painkillers and a blocked urethra (from the circumcision ring, if applicable) are some of the indirect complications can all be fatal for an infant.

Like any surgery, bleeding (or hemorrhaging) is always a risk, and that applies most definitely to circumcisions as well. Unfortunately, the excessive bleeding can be overlooked as the diaper has the ability to absorb much of the blood before the parent or physician notices the problem. In addition, hospitals are breeding grounds for infections, and because of the location and size of the wound, infected germs can easily enter and wreak havoc on the newborn’s system. Such infections are tetanus, streptococcus, meningitis and tuberculosis, among others. General anesthesia is not allowed to be used on newborns, as it has led to death in the past. Other alternatives to a local anesthetic is lidocaine injected into the top of the penis, or the application of cream directly onto the penis- although both of these carry risks of accidental overdose which can lead to death.

Unfortunately, many infant deaths resulting from circumcision are never reported by the physician. Physicians have their career and reputation on the line, and they are not going to step forward and admit killing an infant. One of the ways that these deaths are kept quiet is how they are classified in final documentation and autopsy reports- citing “complications of anesthesia” without ever including information on the elective circumcision. It is estimated that approximately 229 infants die as a result of circumcision complications.

So remember, factor in the potential drawbacks of circumcision (including death) and talk it over extensively with your partner and/or doctor before making a final decision.

As a pregnant woman or husband whose wife is expecting, you may have found yourself thinking more about circumcision than you had ever done before. Most likely, you have been inundated with the advice of well-meaning family members and friends about their views on the practice, or even been faced with the teachings of your church or synagogue in relation to circumcision. It can be extremely difficult to come to an objective decision with societal, family, and religious pressure pulling you in different directions.

In the United States, we are led to believe that “everyone” chooses to circumcise their children as newborns. However, while this may have been true in the past (especially in the late 1960s when circumcision rates were as high as 80%), the times are certainly changing- statistics show that there are a significant number of uncircumcised males, probably as high as 40% of the total population. In addition, many of the people who are bending your ear one way or the other on the issue of circumcision are probably grossly misinformed themselves.

Most importantly, remember that a decision to circumcise your child is an extremely personal one, and many factors can influence your choice. Many people find it helpful to seek the advice of a close friend who has been pregnant with a male child, or ask their rabbi or preacher for direction on the issue. Others prefer to research circumcision on their own, visiting their local library or surfing the Internet for detailed information on the practice. It is also a good idea to bring any concerns or questions to your obstetrician, who has no doubt performed circumcision on hundreds of babies over the years and can provide extensive reading material to help you in your decision.

One of the best ways to respond to unsolicited advice on circumcision is to thank the person for sharing their own experience, but politely say that you and your significant other have already reached a decision on whether or not to circumcise and prefer that it be kept a private family matter. Many women (and men) try to mistakenly deflect attention on the subject by claiming that they have not yet made up their minds one way or the other- this approach only gives the person more incentive to convince you that their view is right.

Regardless of your decision, you should not feel ashamed in choosing to have your son circumcised or left intact. This is only the first of many hard decisions you will have to make as a mother, and you need to keep the best interest of your child at the forefront of your decision.

If you are considering circumcision for your newborn son, you have no doubt done research on the procedure itself, in addition to asking friends or family their views on the subject. Many parents become concerned and anxious that caring for an uncircumcised penis will be difficult, requiring special care and attention. This is not true, but it is important to know how to care for the circumcised penis during infancy just like you would care for a circumcised penis. In addition, you should be prepared to teach your child proper genital hygiene once he becomes old enough to clean himself.

Cleaning a circumcised penis does not require any specialized bath soaps, products, or even tools (such as cotton swabs) - simple soap and water is enough to clean the area. Because the foreskin of your child’s penis remains intact, it is extremely important to clean the area underneath the foreskin, where dirt and bacteria can easily hide. However, when your child is an infant, you must never force the foreskin back from the shaft- instead, you must gently push back the area until you meet resistance, and rise off the head of the penis with warm water, making sure to clean the underside of the foreskin as well. It is important to always rinse off the smegma that might have gathered under the foreskin- these are merely dead oily skin cells that no longer serve any purpose. When you are done cleaning the area, gently massage the foreskin down so that it goes back to its original position over the head of the penis.

Usually by the age of five, the foreskin of the penis becomes retractable and can be easily lifted and pulled away from the head of the penis. This is usually the age at which the uncircumcised boy is old enough to learn how to properly clean his penis, and you should be able to effectively teach him the importance of proper genital hygiene, which includes washing the area regularly. He should understand that caring for his penis is no different than brushing his teeth or washing his face. Some parents feel most comfortable with the father (or other male family member, such as an older brother) being delegated to this role of teacher, especially if the father is also uncircumcised. You should initially demonstrate the proper way to pull back the foreskin, rinse the area with soap and water, and finally pull the foreskin back over the top of the penis. Explain to your child that the foreskin must be completely dried off before pulling it back over the head, as trapped moisture can lead to bacteria infection. Afterwards, your child should attempt to take over this responsibility, and the process will become easy and natural quite quickly.

You will most likely find that caring for your child’s intact penis is no different than practicing good oral hygiene yourself. Just be sure to give special attention to the foreskin while he is younger, waiting until it naturally becomes retractable before pulling it up to reveal the head of the penis. Once you are aware of that fact, you will have no trouble teaching your boy the importance of cleanliness.

Choosing to circumcise or not circumcise a child can be very difficult for parents, and it is best to become educated about the procedure and its benefits (as well as drawbacks) as much as possible before making any decision. One of the things that parents will most likely consider is how easy it is to practice good hygiene on a circumcised penis versus an uncircumcised one. Parents want the best for their children, and that includes taking advantage of every opportunity that could help ensure good health for the duration of their life.

If you do decide to circumcise your son at birth, you will find that the most high maintenance aspect of caring for the penis occurs during the first few weeks after the procedure. During this time, you must be fully responsible for caring for the penis, which includes observing the wound for signs of infection or improper healing. In addition, the dressing must be changed, the area must be gently cleaned, and petroleum jelly and/or ointment must be applied- at minimum.

However, as your child gets older, it is important that he is educated on the importance of good hygiene habits, which includes caring for the genital area. The first part of the process involves you showing him how to properly care for his penis, and later, helping him adapt to the responsibility of cleaning the area himself. It is important to start this process at a young age so that your child will feel comfortable with his knowledge of how to clean his penis, as many boys become embarrassed to ask such personal questions when they reach puberty. Many parents feel most comfortable with the father handling this aspect of childrearing, and may even present an opportunity for bonding between father and son. Many children are taught how to properly clean their genital areas by being told to “wash like daddy”.

Although people think that specialized bathing products are necessary to maintain proper genital hygiene, there is actually no special care required- simply cleaning the area with warm, soapy water will be sufficient. The same is true for various tools and instruments (such as cotton swabs) - using a washcloth or just soaping up your hands is all that is required. Some men find that excessively washing with soap (or other bath products) can lead to soreness of the penis and surrounding area, but using warm water is usually enough to effectively clean the penis.

When proper hygiene is maintained, a variety of health conditions can be avoided in both men and their sexual partners. By teaching your child to clean himself properly, you are helping to ensure his health and vitality.

You are most likely no different from other new parents when it comes to thinking about circumcision- you’d rather not. However, if you do decide to circumcise your newborn, you will need to know how to help facilitate the healing process and be prepared for any special requirements that are involved in caring for a circumcised child, especially when it comes to hygiene. The majority of this care will be when your child is very young- most likely the first few days of his life.

After the procedure is performed, the physician or nurse will wrap the area in a petroleum jelly gauze dressing, which will need to be replaced every time you change your child’s diaper- at least for the first 24 hours. It is most important to keep the circumcised area as clean as possible, even while it is going through the healing process. This can be done by gently cleaning the area warm, soapy water and wiping with a cotton ball- at least twice a day. (It is important to point out that diaper wipes should not be used to clean this area, as they can be too harsh for the fresh wound.) For the next three to five days, petroleum jelly should be used directly on the penis to help minimize any discomfort that might be felt from friction between the penis and the diaper, in addition to making sure the wound does not stick to the diaper surface- fresh coats can be applied at every diaper change. Depending on the preference of your physician, he or she may recommend using a layer of antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) on the wound, especially if they are concerned about safeguarding the area from infection. You should watch the wounded area closely during the healing process to make sure that skin bridges do not form- this can happen when the remaining foreskin on the penis begins to grow over the head of the penis. It is always best to contact your physician if this occurs instead of attempting to tear apart this fusion yourself.

During the first few days, a soft scab will form over the wounded area, which will stay anywhere between 7 to 10 days. At this time, the scab will simply fall off, which indicates the infant’s penis has completed the healing stage. From this point on, there is no need for specialized care of the area other than normal cleansing, although the area may appear unhealthy initially. It is not uncommon for the head of the penis to look swollen, inflamed, or red, or to find traces of blood or yellow discharge present during diaper changes. However, at your infant’s first checkup after his birth, your doctor will inspect the penis and will give any necessary information about specialized care at that time, if applicable.

Although complications from circumcision are rare, there are a few that you should be aware of. You should contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following: a significant amount of blood coming from the wound, increasing redness or swelling, the head of the penis becomes discolored (blue or black), fever, mucus-filled blisters develop, or if your child is still not urinating normally 12 hours after the procedure is completed.

When your son becomes old enough to clean himself on his own, he should be educated on the importance of keeping good genital hygiene. Most parents feel most comfortable with the father (or another male family member) being responsible to teach the child this information.

The topic of circumcision makes many people uneasy- some see it as cruel and barbaric, others see it as a necessary part of childbirth. Regardless, many parents are concerned with the trauma inflicted upon their newborn if they decide to have him circumcised, which is a valid concern. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pain control is used during circumcision, you should still talk with your physician before the birth about his views on pain therapy if you are considering the procedure.

Recent studies have revealed that newborns do in fact feel pain and could even experience severe psychological stress during circumcision- in fact, crying, heart rate, and blood pressure, all indicators of stress, increase dramatically during the procedure. Until recently, anesthesia wasn’t universal, so many physicians rely on a variety of options for pain relief for newborns during circumcision, and it is up to the doctor’s personal preference and/or the newborn’s vitals to determine which pain treatment will be used.

One option is a topical cream (EMLA or Tetracaine) that can be gently massaged onto the penis and surrounding area before the procedure, numbing the area within a half hour. Another option is an injection of lidocaine, another numbing agent, directly underneath the foreskin and into the head of the penis. This is also known as a dorsal nerve block, and is most common used during circumcision procedures. This option takes considerably less time to reach its full effect and usually lasts longer than a topical numbing agent. The physician may choose to give the child a surgery solution of gluclose or sucrose in the form of a pacifier to suck on during the surgery- the sugar will trigger endorphin release, which is a natural painkiller. Or, he might be given a small dosage of acetaminophen directly into his mouth using a medicine dropper. Some physicians even play music during the procedure and/or have the newborn suck on the gloved finger of a nurse to provide a calming effect.

One advantage to performing circumcision so soon after childbirth is that the newborn already has already generated elevated levels of stress-resistant hormones from the trauma of the birthing process itself. During this time, a newborn has the ability to heal quickly, and persevere and thrive under trauma- the newborn is amazingly resilient. By using any of these safe pain management methods, your infant’s ability to feel pain during his circumcision will be greatly reduced, and pain relief options will be used after the procedure to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible.

When you are making the decision to circumcise your newborn, the last thing you can imagine is the future sex life he may have in as little as 18 years. However, this is something to take into consideration, as some people feel strongly about the social benefits of the procedure, especially when it comes to the appearance of the penis. You may find that your own preference interferes or influences your final decision, and you are not alone in that trend. For example, a father might want their son’s penis to look like his, just as the father’s penis looks like his own father’s, and so on. Another thing that parents fear is that by choosing not to have their child circumcised, he will be ridiculed later in life- especially in places like the high school locker room, or during intimate relations with his girlfriend. Overall, there is a strong desire and pressure to conform to society’s expectations and for a child’s penis to “match” others.

As a society, it is an acknowledged fact that women (and men) find a circumcised penis is more attractive. In fact, circumcised men purportedly receive more fellatio, which makes sense given our societal preference. When asked, some women have elaborated even further, stating that a circumcised penis is “cleaner”, “sexier”, “nicer to the touch”, and “smells better”. This preference is most apparent in nude visual arts (or erotic material), where circumcised men are almost exclusively used to increase visual appeal. The same can also be said of feature films that contain nude scenes- they also use circumcised males much more than uncircumcised men.

The men that choose to undergo elective circumcision later in life usually do so strictly because of social reasons. They might find their intact foreskin unattractive which in turn decreases their sexual confidence, or their partner may be pressuring them to undergo the procedure because of their own personal preference or sexual needs. Because circumcision of an adult man can be more costly and painful than done as a newborn, it is important to take the time to research the procedure and talk at length with your physician about the side effects and complications before undergoing surgery.

Although there have been numerous studies tracking the difference between sex lives of circumcised and intact men, the results have all been anecdotal. Some studies have found that circumcised men experience less sexual dysfunction, and are able to maintain an erection much easier in the later years of their life versus uncircumcised men. It has also been claimed that circumcised males perform better sexually, but there are just as many opposing claims.

Regardless, social reasons are a major factor in deciding whether or not to circumcise your child, and should not be discounted.