Against, because it hurts, and the baby has no choice.

I am neither for or against it. The reason that most hospitals want you to circumsize your sons, is for cleanliness. Most boys/men do not have good bathroom habits and are not taught how to shower/bathe properly when not circumsized. This can lead to infections and can be rather painful to be circumsized at an older age. As for the sexual aspect... no difference.

I mothered 2 sons, and was raised Jewish, however that had no bearing on my decision. I discussed the procedure with my Pediatrican, and once he stated it could be the cause of major infections at any age, plus could be very uncomfortable when they mature and become active. Its just a snip and over. I was crying cause my baby was, but 5 mintues later he was happy as a clam. I feel for their own health as they grow up, this is necessary...

Do it. I wasn't circumcised at birth and it made the first 13 years of my life suck. I got a yeast infection when I wasn't even sexually active. People make fun of you all the time when the see you in a locker room or at a sleep over or whatever. It keeps males cleaner (keeps infection out). It can even prevent STDs (rarely though). I don't think I've ever met a non-circumcised guy who didn't want to be circumcised. Your kid will be a lot happier in the long run. The only downside is that orgasms are not as good when you are circumcised (don't ask how I know).

I am for it. I know guys that had alot of problems including harrassment in high school. If I was a guy I wouldnt want foreskin. Even if it hurts as a baby the pain is over quicky and im sure you have no memory of it.

It does not matter to me either way, Other then less chance of infections, as long as its done when they are first born and wont remember it, it's fine. If not oh well god gave you a foreskin for a reason.

I come from a country where we dont circumcise so I speak from experience. I think you shouldent circumcise for a couple of resons: it encourages regular cleaning ( with cleaning ruitine there is rarely infections) when you circoumcise you lose alot of the sensation because the circumsesed penis "hardens" "roughtens" so you loose alot of your sexual sensation. It is not natural, we dont cut of any of our other parts. .. Reserch has come to show that circumcision became an issue bacause in earlier times there was not the same focus on clenliness, and combined with countries whith hot weather that lead to infections. It is no longer neccesary because we are all aware of the need to clean ourself. I have three brothers no one have had any trouble with it, as long as you teach them from an early age to pull back the forskin and clean. I think someone mentiond being teased at school; My oppinion is that it is alittle extreen to cut off a part of the penis that is a natural protectant layer just beacuse so many other people get it done. This is just my oppinion maybe it is influenced by the wast # of people around me that are not circumsised .. even my husband that is American is not curcumscised ..

Against. Nobody gave me a choice, they just traumatized me and countless others by doing it because the DR said it was necessary. he just needed to make a payment on his Jaguar. If you clean yourself properly, there is no problem. If someone wanted to do this type of SURGERY on a baby girl WITHOUT ANESTESIA, there'd be protests like nobody's business!

The LATEST information, out of South Africa, is that it reduces the infectibility of AIDS by about a third. This makes it a true "wonder drug." It shouldn't be done at birth, though; you should wait the Biblical period (eight days) so his clotting mechanism is ready.

I debated this for months before giving birth to my son. Then I began to ask around. My dad, my brother.. my best friend's husband...people I'd known for years and years. Not one man I asked said "dont do it". In fact, every man I asked said "please do have it done for him". All but my dad told stories of boys they grew up with that were not,,, that went on as adults to have it done. Not one guys said they remembered having it done...or that they felt traumitized. In fact.. they didnt even know that it was "done" until they incountered a boy that hadnt been. Had to ask.. how come his looks different. In my culture of men, where my son is growing up.. it is the norm. It is NOTHING like female circumsision. My son was completely numb and did not even flinch much less cry when it was done. He never had a diaper rash, never had any kind of infection and was easily potty trained. I do not regret it and I am pretty sure that he will not either. (by the way, my first husband was NOT circumsized and insisted that any son he had.. be circumsized as soon as he was past eight days old)

I think it's a terrible thing to do to a tiny baby as soon as it's born.... It's like saying "welcome to earth... (whack!)" Under no circumstances would I do this. The foreskin does keep the glans of the penis sensitive. This makes sex more pleasurable. I would not do it just to go along with what others have done. And I don't think that the notion that it's more sanitary without a foreskin holds any weight. We don't cut people's ears off just because they accumulate wax....

Its all down to hygiene,we are taught to wash behind our ears, but we don't cut little boys ears off in case they don't. The foreskin protects the Glans of the penis, it also acts in assisting penetration I have a few Jewish mates who believe in circumcision, and I've been along to a couple of circumcisions, its a happy affair for all but the little lad who is sreaming his haead off with a bloody penis, ahhh but he won't remember. Its funny that its against the law(where I live) to Dock a puppys tail, its considered cruel. This is just my opinion, I'm happy with my foreskin its done a lot of service, but there again, my Jewish pals are quite happy without theirs.

I am against it because it seems cruel to do it when they are young,wait untill he is older and ask him wether he wants it done or not,even though he may ask you why you didnt do it to him when he was younger.

Foreskin is not a birth defect and should not be treated as such.

I'm for it. I'm circumcised, get circumcised reduces your chances of infections and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and AIDS. But I got cicumcised when I was born so I doubt I could make an arguement about why I shouldn't then.

against. for those who get teased for being complete they can at least turn around and say at least i have a choice.

I have had this problem and the only reason I'm for it is cause...some guys that aren't feel there is somthing wrong with them...and then you get those people that think it makes you drity...I just think when you get it done as a baby you don't miss it when your older...so I don't see the harm in it getting done

I don't see anything wrong with it... If someone wants to cut some skin off of their body- ok, just like getting your ears peirced or getting a tattoo. The only thing is, this is done usually at such an early age, guys have no say in whether or not they want it done. If it's not done, you can always get it done later, but once it's done it's done. That's the only set back I see.

Unless you don't wash very often, it's pointless. It doesn't affect whether you masturbate, how it feels etc etc.

I'm indifferent... A circumcised penis is easier to keep clean and less chance of an infection. Theres a debate if it increases sexual pleasure having a foreskin. I was circumcised and sex feels great to me.

against! It's a nautrual part of the body and no one should remove it without that man's permission. The benifits of having your forskin far outway the loss of it. At any time a guy can get a cicumcision, so let him decide if he wants to give up the addtiional pleasure, staying power, comfort, and good looks to save a few seconds of washing time.

against. I am uncircumcised and after hearing circumcised guys I'm hear it hurts during erections. Thanks mom and dad!

For it. I read about it before I gave birth and decided to have it done for two reasons. One: hygeine. It's easier to keep clean. Two: Looks, I know it souds strange, but most girls are used to circumsized penises, and I don't want him to feel awkward when he gets older.

Jessica, it might interest you to know that according to the latest findings (and this is from a spokesperson from a medical society, and the article recently appeared in our local newspaper) it has been proven that the incidence of AIDS is much lower in countries that practice circumcision. This came at a time when I was actively engaged in a heated discussion about the pros and cons. I am still 100% for circumcision. And according to the Old Testament, the rite of circumcision was a bond of fidelity and a covenant between man and God. That's how it started in the first place. But all religious aspects aside, it is first and foremost a preventer of disease.

I am a 39 year old male and am not circumcised. I have to tell you that growing up, I was embarrased by the way I looked 'down there' that I didn't have sex until I was almost 21 years old. I did think about having it snipped when I was about 16 years old but decided against it with the support of my parents, brother (who is circumcised) and my sister. Being married, my wife has noticed that I seem to enjoy sex more than men who have been circumcised. And, she has no problem with the way I look down there. I think I would have had it done for self confidence reasons when I was younger, but now it just doesn't matter.

Against. No need for it. It's the way we were made and I'm against cutting off pieces of our body without a real reason. If you were born with it and most people are, then it stays. Just learn to wash and it's not a big deal. Most of th emen in my family are 'naturals' and there has been no problems ever. However can't say the same for a couple that are circumsized.

for: it is the only way to prevent the HPV in males and thereby helps prevent cervical cancer in their female partners. It also lowers the risk (yes a low risk but still a risk) of penile and testicular cancer...and it significantly lowers the risk of AIDs/HIV in Heterosexual males.

When I found out I was having a boy, I wrestled with whether or not I'd have him circumcised. I didn't really want to do it but my family did. It turned out to be a moot point because he ended up not being able to have it done right away and now I think it's too late. He can decide to do it later if he wants but I'm glad we didn't do it.

I'm for it. If it's going to be done (mainly for religious reasons), it should be done as a baby. Friends who had it done later, as children or even teens, were all traumatized by the pain of circumcision.

Against. Every male in my family has not been and has not experienced any problems. Dads teach their sons to wash properly. And those sons have grown up to make the same decision regarding their sons.

I wish I had not been circumcised. When I was born, there wasn't even a consideration NOT to do it... nonetheless, I agree with the idea that it causes desensitization of the glans. I can't tell you that I would be MORE sensitive now, as a "middle aged" adult, but I can certainly tell you that I have become less sensitive as I have aged... The constant friction from years of fabric has certainly not helped. If properly cared for a foreskin doesn't create anymore/less a chance for infection. The analogy about keeping your ears clean is perfect.

Studies have shown that men who are not circumcised are more likely to contract HIV/AIDS...While I agree its a hard decision, that fact alone would make me inclined to opt for circumcision if I ever have a son.

Definitely for. I've read about how the foreskin traps bacteria and that results in higher risks of infections. That in itself is enough reason for me to want to circumcise my future sons.

I didn't have my sons circumcized. I did NOT have the heart to do that. I found it to be cruel. And no medical reason was good enough to get it done -- actually, I couldn't find a good medical reason. As for looking like the others, in talking to other moms, I know that they never got their sons done either (the ones in the same grade as my son) so that's not a problemCleanliness? Prett easy to keep things clean. And as for what my sons g/f or wife is gonna think - it is of no concern to me to do something like that to please some little girlie on how my son's penis looks! I have heard though, that sometimes problems do arise and that some boys need it later in life - I'd hate for that to happen because I know it would have been easier to do it at birth. But chances of that are slim.

I'm against it, but I got outvoted. I think this should be up to the boy when he gets older. What made me sick was that my sons went through now only that trauma, but it seemed to hurt them when I cleaned it or changed the dressing. And they screamed bloody murder when they peed till it healed. As for the cleanliness issues if you clean it right and teach them hygene this isn't an issue. As for being teased about how it looks kids get teased about their bodies all the time. You don't see parents jumping to cut off the ears that are too big or the piggie nose. No, they teach them how to deal with it. With the STD part if you teach your son to not jump in the sack with what ever comes his way and to use a condom it becomes a moot point. I think that's by far the most important part not the circumsicion. As for how she feels about how it looks if he's with the right girl she won't care. She's not with him for his penis.

I think having a foreskin is a privledge. If a young man doesn't keep himself clean, then I think he should be circumcised. Keeping clean is the main issue.

Cicumcision is good. It prevents disease and gives one's penis a sleeker look. I should know because it's been done on me.

Against. It is genital mutilation.

I am FOR IT! My 6 year old nephew never got it done at birth and since then has only had problems and skin growths at the end of his penis. He had to get circumcised at 6 years old and I can only imagine how painful that was for him when he woke up from surgery, so I think its better to have it done at birth when they wont remember it!

Well i dont like it,one of my sons has it but only for medical reasons. I feel that if its not for medical reasons its unescesary. Boys were born with a foreskin,leave it be.If you educate your sons they will grown up knowing how to keep it clean. As for doing this when your babys new born its cruel,with no injection to numb it!!!Nah not for my sons thanks!

I kinda wish I could try having it for one day. Cleaning it wouldn't be an issue, I would enjoy the process. It just happened, i guess I am blindly for it ...

Making a decision whether or not to circumcise is clearly a personal one. The arguments for and against both seem rational to me. I chose to circumcise my son for a couple of reasons. One, my father was not circumcised and (according to info from my mother) he had problems with infection at times. The other reason had to do with psychological effects...and these can go both ways...but some men compare themselves to others and may worry about the way it "looks." Like another mother here, I had my son snipped just after birth and could hear the wail across the hospital which sent me into tears. He was fine not long after and I'm glad I made the decision. However, I respect the opinions of those who feel it should have been their own choice and therein lies a dilemma. Life is full of those. Good question.

Mutilation of an infant is illegal, isn't it? The exception is cutting off a chunk of skin from their most sensitive body part? What kind of sick world is this? I'm against circumcision. Can u tell?

Today, there is no good reason to have a male child circumsized. Leave the skin alone! I was told that at one time thay thought it could prevent infections but they debunked that one years ago.

Im not circumcised and im proud of it. I was made fun of alot in school and by my friends, but wanna know the truth? There have been confirmed studies indicating that men who are circumcised {on average} have smaller penis length than those who arnt circumcised. So before anyone decides to give anyone a hard time, be careful because you probably have the smaller penis! Besides it was our parents choice on whether or not we got circumcised.

I'm completely against it! Let THEM decide whether or not to be circumcised when they come of age.

I see no practical modern need for it.. It's painful and once done is extremely difficult to reverse. I believe that someday it will actually be considered a form of chld-abuse when performed on babies and children. In achient times and in areas where hygene is not routinely avaiable it can have benefits but so can education in proper hygene. I think that male infant circumcision should be put right in a category with female circumcision. Today the only real reason for it's contiuence is for religious reasons; sometimes cloaked in pseudo-scientific ones.

I'm against it, unless it is medically necessary (because of infection). I was circumcised at birth and I believe it atleast partially responsible for problems I have had in my life regarding confidence and sexual identity. I am NOT saying it is totally responsible, but I have read about how such trauma as a circumcision can affect the child, so don't think I am using it as a scapegoat. To put it to rest I have no problems with my penis now that I am an adult, but I rather think that had I not been circumcised I would still have the same sort of affinity any man has with his penis. Circumcision is unnecessary and possibly more damaging than any of the effects of not having it done.

im for it get it done there are so many problems with uncircumcised it gets infected and smelly it is so hard to keep clean and when they grow up it a greater chance in catching sexually transmitted disease

I am not for or against circumcision. When I was pregnant with my son, the doctors and birthing class instructors always said it would be easier for the child to be like their dad. They learn how to clean it properly that way and there is no medical need for it. It is completely up to the parent.

I am circumcised. I'm quite happy with it. No problems. Still have a great sex life. No worries whatsoever.

I wouldn't do it because most people don't why they do it now to begin with. It's just a religious and cultural thing, and I'm personally not religious and I'm not going to do something just because of culture or because I'm "supposed" do, I do things in need for myself. Whether for a woman or for a male, either way too many times it's to fit an "image" or they don't even know why. Male penises (I guess the male part is a little repetitive) are born with the head of their penises covered because it's supposed to help prevent infections and just keep it clean. And of course the "sensitivity" thing. Yes, it takes some more work to clean it, get over it. Know why you do and think what you think, don't just do what you're "supposed" to. Livia

I am against it, but havn't always felt that way. I have a 5 yr old boy who is circumcised. he was my first child and I really had not thought about having it done before we were in the hospital. I feel that his dad talked me into it. He said he would be different than all the other boys in the locker room and different than his own father. This was before I knew how barbaric the ritual is. Google search circumcision and you will see for yourself just how awful it is, I did. I have now decided that I will not circumsize any future male children.I wish I could take back the pain that I caused my precious newborn son!

it depends on the family if it is practiced religiously. also being circumcised has advantages: not getting any infections under the foreskin, strong feeling of male orgasm, and on the other hand uncircumcised members have to deal with making sure under the foreskin is cleaned on a daily basis, also can feel male orgasm but not as fast. but both cicumcised and uncircumcised have to make sure the nether regions are clean and don't smell of urine or feces.

for. because its weird otherwise.

male infant mutilation is child abuse

MGM. enough said ?

Against , because it's cruel to do this to an infant. I don't buy the explaination that is it less painful for a baby. For a long time doctors were taught that babies don't feel pain, so they just cut the baby and ignore the fact that the baby is in extreme pain. An adult gets pain medication before, during, and after the surgery. I don't sympathize with adults that whine about how much more it will hurt if you wait and have it done. Any surgery will involve some pain or discomfort. It's better for an infant to not experience that.

I'm for it! I'm not and the ladies love it! It is something that not all males are lucky enough to have, After all, they were too young to contest the decision. LOL!!

I had my son circumsized, It didn't seem to bother him too much after the first day. I just think that its cleaner. No smegma...

absalootley not. im 16. i'm "natural" or "sheathed" its great having a foreskin its horrible even the idea that someone wouth thing cut is good. in all of my 16 years of life it never one crossed my mind that having a foreskin gets in the way. its the way my body is designed and made - "scientifcally " speaking humans dont need their little toes or pinky fingers, cut them off. make it all streamline

Circumcision reduces the spread of HIV. So it's good. End of.

I'm for it; no particular reason except that it makes things "easier" for the boy or man and that women seem to like the looks better. At least where I live.

Male circumcision is genital mutliation. Sex is better when both partners are naturally intact, so that they can fit together the way our bodies are intended to fit together. Men who are cut get defensive, but it is because they haven't dealt with the reality that they were mutilated as children without their consent, and will never know what they have lost or how it feels to perform sexually as a natural intact man.

neutral. people have their reasons, whether it be religion or hygiene and i won't argue with either.

CIRCUMSISION! - im circumsized. - i think uncircumsized dicks are gross and so do most women - i am very glad to have been circumsized as a baby because if I wasnt ... it would hurt like a bitch to get it now (and i would) there you go, dont listen to the other people. poor babies would blame their parents and hate that ugly thing on the crotch that looks like a chinese egg role.

also ... in addition to my agrument. if you read the bible ... it says that god told some guy that he and every one of his sons who believed/followed god were to be circumsized.

I'm a guy, and one that wasn't cut at birth but later became permanently retracted around puberty, so that I now have what resembles a circumcised penis in almost every way. With this before and after experience, I am one of a minority that may be qualified to speak on this issue. I used to support RIC, but came to believe that it's an invasion of a boy's rights. But being strongly in favor of circumcision, I urge you to delay the decision until your son is old enough to comprehend and decide for himself, while encouraging him to seek it. Meanwhile, it's not too soon to encourage foreskin retraction IF it is already fully and easily retractable. It may not be, until about age 3 - 5 (average), or as late as age 10 (for as many as 1% of boys). But by starting school age (assuming normal, healthy and functional foreskin), your son should be keeping it retracted and clean at all times if possible, and be educated about circumcision, which he will be discovering among his peers very soon, and told that he can get cut when he reaches about puberty if he feels he needs or wants it. Most boys already have developed strong sentiments about that by then, and are old enough to make up their own minds.

Penis mutilation is never the right thing to do for any reason. Those that say it's done for religious reasons are questioning God's "intelligent design" of the human body.

I'm against it because of many reason. 1. Even though there young they still can feel the pain. They have to take pain medication for up to 10 day. I saw my cousin after his circumcision and the pain on his face just made me feel horrible. 2. It makes it much less sensitive. Your cliping of a bunch of nerves. You know how soft baby skin is? Then think of a hard working man's feet, rough, dried, cracked skin immune to all touch and sensation. That is what circumcision does to someones penis. 3. Finally a regular reason for circumcision is because of religious reasons. That's all cool but think about this. If the Lord gave you something why would he want you to take it away? Not only take it away but cause pain to a helpless infant at the same time.

I'm against it. It probably made sense back when people got a bath every year on their birthday, but not any more.

I'm an Intactivist. Ritual genital mutilation, on non-consenting infants, often without so much as an analgesic cream for their comfort, is a barbaric practice at best. There is no good reason to have it done.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2009/03/31/circumcise0331.html?cxntlid=inform_artr Just another reason to be against it.

its purely cosmetic, so I could care less if people do or do not do it to themselves or their kids.

I am aganst it if i ever have a little dude he will not be circumcised like me. As long as a parent teaches the kid how to take care of his tool he will be fine and healthy there are plenty of us out there that are not cirucmcised. curtdude uncircumcised and like it

Neither for nor against. I am cut and other than occasionally wondering what it would be like if I wasn't, I have never had an issue with it. I come from a country and a generation where 90% of baby boys were circumcised. We also had my son circumcised but only after careful consideration. Reasons? 1) Religion (my wife is Jewish); 2) Health (there is STRONG evidence that circumcision cuts the rate of STD transmission, cuts cases of cervical cancer in partners of cut men, cuts the rate of HIV infection; 3) and least importantly, so he is like me. As for people who say "loss of sensation" etc. I say thank goodness because if I had more sensation I would not last more than a minute!!!!!! A friend had to have a circumcision (for medical reasons) at the age of 25 - ouch, not a nice experience and he wishes he'd been done at birth. By the way, he MUCH prefers being circumcised (in every way) and says that his sex life is BETTER..... only one case I know. So, no particular bias here. Cut and happy to be so!

I didn't get my oldest son circumcised and I do regret it! When he was about 5 or 6 he started to get bad infections under the skin on his penis. No matter what I did these infections continued for a very long time until his doctor and I decided he needed circumcised. So, at 5 or 6 years of age my son was circumcised. Poor kid!