| Get Into It! Spring - Summer 2008 |
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"I have a male child and I did have him circumcised when he was first born. I strongly support having a male child circumcised due to having good hygeine. Having the foreskin removed will keep my son from having irritation and infections as he grows into adulthood." – LaWanda, Acwoth, Georgia
"Most little boys are not very clean. They don’t even wipe their bottoms very well, so how can we expect them to properly care for their uncircumcised penis? The foreskin can potentially be a bacteria factory, if not properly cared for. Also, my brother-in-law had an infection due to his penis not being circumcised so my husband was adamantly for the circumcision." – Aisha, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
"I have two sons and I chose to have them circumcised even though my husband was not because at the time they were born (late 70s, early 80s) it was the trend in hospitals. I don’t even remember being asked. I think it was just done. I felt bad for my youngest because they had to redo it and I’m sure he suffered." – Monica, St. Albert, Alberta
"Before having my son, I was neither for nor against male circumcision. After much thought, my husband and I chose to have our son circumcised because my husband was circumcised and we wanted the two of them to look the same. When I saw my son’s penis after it had been circumcised, I was horrified! I couldn’t believe how red and swollen it was! The pain that he must have gone through, I felt so awful and guilty. I don’t know what I expected but it was much worse than I ever imagined. I decided right then and there that if we ever had any more sons they would not be circumcised." – Karen, Indianapolis, Indiana
"I have two boys. I ultimately left the decision to my husband. Although I feel the procedure is unnecessary and a little barbaric, I figured it best to let him make that decision since I have never had a penis. He convinced me of the emotional effects that can be damaging to a young male in a locker room full of boys – or an intimate setting with a girl. Additionally, my brother-in-law was not circumcised at birth. As a teenager, he made the decision to be circumcised in order to better fit in. If it’s important enough for a guy to let someone take a knife to their most delicate body part, having a “normal” looking penis must be pretty important." – Kiya, Tampa, Florida
"While pregnant, this became a huge debate between my partner and myself. I felt it was necessary from a hygienic perspective. My partner is circumcised and I thought it would be best for my son and his father to be the ‘same’. However, I was swayed by all the research out there that suggests the procedure is one that is unnecessary, and of a cosmetic nature (if you have no religious beliefs supporting the procedure). Would I change my son’s nose if it’s different from mine? No. When he was finally born, and I held him in my arms, I couldn’t imagine letting anyone cut any part of his body for any reason." – Babette, Toronto, Ontario
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