I chose to keep Hudson intact (or as some say, "uncircumcised"...I prefer "intact" because "uncirc'd" implies that it is undone. He is not undone. He is whole.) because honestly, in a nut shell, it's his body, and his choice to make. If he wants to be circumcised some day, then that's his choice. Some say that it hurts more as an adult but how does that make any sense to anyone? It hurts just as bad as an infant... even more, actually, because as an adult your foreskin has already seperated from your penis, and as a baby they're still fused. So imagine having your fingernail seperated from your finger. That's what they have to do to their foreskin before cutting it off. It sucks to think about, doesn't it?
I am not judgemental of parents who have chosen to have it done to their sons. As long as you did your research, and made an informed decision, that's all I ask. But after doing my research, there's just absolutely no way I could do that to him. He came into this world whole and perfect. I am a religious person, and I have a very hard time believing God sent every man into this world with something that instantly needs to be removed. It's a sensitive, functioning organ, and without it there is a loss of sensitivity. Most circ'd guys don't know what they're missing out on! (and some do, and try to restore it. Which is a whole 'nother topic that I know pretty much nothing about)
I've been told that it's creepy that I care so much about penises, especially my son's. To which I responded that I honestly don't care what people think. I care about my son's well-being, not just the state of his penis lol. I want the absolute best for him. The whole "well my husband has a penis, so he knows better than I do" really just amazes me. Your husband is circumcised and knows no different! Our generation (and the ones before it) grew up being told that intact penises were gross and abnormal, and they were circumcised to "prevent infection". More and more research has been done, and today any doctor will tell you it is a cosmetic surgery. It is not necessary at all. It doesn't prevent STDs or infection either. If a guy is gonna get a UTI, he's gonna get one whether he's circ'd or not. Some people are just prone to them. Once the foreskin detaches and is retractible, it should be retracted and cleaned with water. It's really not that difficult of a concept, or "hard to clean" (another reason many people choose to circ) . And while they're babies, they're not even retractible so it's super easy to clean. You just wipe it like a finger.
Someone asked me "Well what about when he starts dating? Girls prefer circumcised penises..." and to that I say if someone is going to be shallow enough to reject my son based on how his penis looks, then he's better off without her anyway. :)
Sources:
http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/
http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/
http://www.drmomma.org/2011/08/intact-or-circumcised-significant.html
(warning: graphic photos. But these are the ones that now have my circ'd brothers anti-circ!)
I wanted to add that women are much more pone to get UTIs & yeast infections but we are fortunate enough to keep our vaginas intact. There is so much fear & myth in the campaign to circ boys in America & it makes me sad. Most of the men in the world are kept whole & they aren't lined up as grown men to get circed. I'm glad you did your research, I doubt I would've as a younger mom.
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