To Circumcise Or Not To Circumcise, That Is The Question

If you're expecting a baby, the topic of circumcision for a boy infant has probably come up in conversation. Circumcision is a personal decision, but it's one that you're making for someone else, so you're under a lot of pressure to make the right choice. Here are some things to consider that may help you make a better decision.

In the United States, the majority of boys are circumcised, albeit the number is decreasing. Most non-Jewish boys are not circumcised in other parts of the world. The disparity appears to be almost completely cultural in nature. There is no right or wrong response here, but I believe "like father, like son" is a solid guideline. Because the boy's father is most likely to educate him how to handle his personal hygiene in this area, considering Dad's personal situation may be a smart method to make the selection. My spouse and oldest kid are circumcised, but our younger son is not. When we adopted him at the age of ten months, he had not been circumcised, and we decided not to have him circumcised Considering all of the other changes he had to make at the time, the trauma of circumcision had a significant impact on his life. To feel prepared to educate our son how to care for an uncircumcised penis, my husband had to do some research on the subject. Our six-year-old son has never inquired about the differences between his penis and those of his older brother and father.

One more point about circumcision: not all penises are created equal. Some boys have a lot of foreskin compared to others. If your son just has a small bit of foreskin, your doctor may refer to this as a "natural circumcision," and advise you not to have a circumcision performed unless religious reasons require it. This means that, unlike some uncircumcised penises, your son's foreskin is unlikely to cause hygienic problems or infection.