Why do people circumsize their baby sons?

Well actually some studies have shown that it actually has a traumatizing affect on people as they grow up to have to endure such pain when they was a baby!

Also i have to say that i am uncircumcised and have no problem whatsoever with hygiene... Thats just a myth! Your mouth is covered by your lips, but you still brush your teeth daily to keep them clean, well its the same principle with your private parts.

When people say to me "Circumcision is more hygienic" i think to myself "You obviously have never heard of a shower have you"!

When I was preggo with my second we were told we were having a boy (ended up being a girl!) but me and my hubby as a talk about this. He insisted that the baby boy should be circumcised. I didn't understand why it was so important. We are not Jewish and I believe that's the origin or circumcision (I could be wrong on that...) He said it's for medical reasons, that's it's just "better" and it's easier for a boy to keep himself clean if he's circumcised. I'm not sure this answers your questions as his explanation was pretty vague, but that's why he felt it should be done. Basically if a man is already circumcised he feels his son should be circumcised because it's the "best way"

I think it's just fear of the unknown. It's so widespread in the US that it's the norm. People don't have experience dealing with a foreskin so they have a set mental idea about it and then pick and choose the "truths" that support their view. Anything that opposes it somehow reinforces their view because they refuse to see things the other way. It's like politics and religion; it's their way and no other views are acceptable. Should you show evidence to the contrary, it's "uninformed" and false.

I didn't see any reason to do it, so I left my boys intact. Cleanliness isn't an issue because this is 2010 and we know how to use soap and water. Religion is not an issue because we're not Jewish. Aesthetics is not an issue because if some girl is going to turn away from my boy because she doesn't like how his dick looks, she isn't worth his time anyway. Medical has not been an issue (I'm assuming it has to do with that whole cleanliness thing), but I read a lot about the fear of penile cancer from foreskin... whatever, there is plenty of evidence and cases of breast cancer killing women, but I'm not about to lop off my breasts (and I'm sure you're not about to suggest it for your daughters) because of fear. We're not concerned with "looking like dad". He has a weenie, they have a weenie. That's the only similarity that matters.

Medically: The AAP has a neutral stance towards circumcision, saying it does have benefits but they do not outweigh the risks. The CDC and WHO have both recommended circumcision as a way to slow the infection rates of AIDS (pointing out that condoms do work better, but their numbers say a 50-60% decrease of infection rate where the men are circumcised.) Other medical reasons (such as less of a risk of passing on HPV to women, no issues with the foreskin, etc) are also cited, but again can be achieved through less invasive means. But the fact is, in America, our medical communities say there are benefits, although these do not outweigh the risks or are enough to encourage routine infant circumcision.

Religion/Tradition: For some religions and cultures (Jews and Muslims for instance) it's the norm to have circumcision happen. Some people believe that the Bible is the word of God and even though the New Testament says that circumcision is not required, there are many people who do not believe Paul was ever supposed to be an apostle (not my point of view, but I've met many people who hate Paul of the Bible.) Since Christ never said to stop circumcising, they continue to circumcise. Others say that though Paul said men don't have to be circumcised, God had a reason for circumcision, and trust that. Some people, every man in their family for generations has been circumcised, so they want their baby circumcised (I've seen this go the other direction too with "every man in our family is intact, so the baby must be intact.)

Cosmetic: I've met far fewer people who do it for cosmetic reasons. It "looks better" or "he'll be made fun of if left undone..." to me are stupid reasons anyway, and honestly if one of my friends chose it for something like that then I doubt we'd be friends long. I don't want my kids worrying about what they look like. But I'm sure there are people out there who say "It just looks better" because I hear them on the net saying that a lot. Still, it's not a reason that I run into.

Basically, since our medical communities have NOT taken a definitive stance and said that there are benefits, instead have taken a neutral stance, Americans are more free to choose what they feel is best both socially, religiously, and medically. Disagree all you want.

Personally, after reading a lot of papers and medical work on it, I am still on the fence. I have a son, and I refuse to disclose online whether he's circumcised or intact. My father is intact, but is not a supporter of leaving boys intact. Everyone else in my family varies since intact is more common in my family than circumcision.

Add: BTW, according to the CDC the rate of circumcision in America is 33% now, and another group said it was 31% or so from my understanding. This may not include babies who are circumcised once leaving the hospital, or babies not covered by insurance for their circumcisions, however it is getting low enough now that any "I don't want him to be the odd man out" argument is defunct now, leaving those who are choosing circumcision to be in the minority and also to be choosing it for not cosmetic reasons.

You asked why people choose it. Not whether it's right or wrong, but WHY others choose it. I did not state my opinion on whether it's right or wrong, or whether I agree or disagree with these reasons, I only presented them because you asked for them. There's plenty of counterarguments for any reason to circumcise, but these are the more common reasons.

Add: I think the 'would stop talking to their friend' comment was directed at me. I think my answer should be reread if you think that's what I said. I said if someone circumcised or left intact their son because of looks and fitting in, we wouldn't stay friends long. Why? Because I don't want my kids around someone who puts looks above everything else. Either way. It's just not the type of person I associate with.

I am from the UK also and i don't understand why they do it. Ive been on here and read some circumcision questions and these people seem to think that if you are intact you are some sort of gross diseased unhygenic freak.

Jews and Muslims do it because it is in their religion.

America is the only country i know who circumcise their sons for no apparent reason and even that is just 50% now.

I chose to circumsize my son and its no one else's business besides mine and his fathers! Seriously now, attacking people who choose circumcision for their boys is immature and I'm sure you could find something better to do than debate it on the internet. And to the person who said if a friend of theirs circumsized their baby you'd stop talking to them- grow up! That's pretty damn petty.

I didn't know that circumcision is rare in the UK. I'm from the U.S. and I would circumcise my son because that's the norm here (he'd probably get made fun of when he's older), it's more hygienic, and religious/biblical reasons.

I think a lot of it is what is socially acceptable, what is th norm. People want their children to be accepted and not have to deal with being bullied. And you know what I think that is just fine! We all do things to fit in. Even if you dont want to admit it., The clothes you buy, the social activities you engage in, dying and cutting your hair etc. I realize this is more extreme, but I dont see an issue with it. I think what would the kid say. and I think my son would say " Thanks mom, for doing it when I was little so I dont have to deal with it as an adult. I consulted many adult men. and those who were not circumsisd typically wished that they had been, and said they had had some kind of teasing or embarsment about it throughout their lives.

An American thing. It's something we have been told needs to be done for hygiene and good reproductive health. Putting my own opinion aside...it is simply what has been passed down as "mandatory" in many generations.

However, in another 10 or 20 years, it might not be nearly as common in the U.S. Many parents are educating themselves and making different choices for their boys.

we are american, we are not circumcising our son (due 11-20-10) i think it is old fashioned and barbaric. most people here do, they have a million reasons why they do, but all of them are weak.

the biblical religious reasons are directed at jewish men only. from the old testament. so if the were a practicing jew, then that would be a good excuse. the hygenic thing is not true, and that they will be made fun of is stupid. who is looking at their penis that hard to make fun of it. if some other guy is looking at my sons penis enough to decide he needs to make fun of it, i will tell my son to make a big loud scene about the other guy checking him out. (in a homosexual way) i think that is a bigger teasing thing for guys than being cut or uncut.