Thoughts on (Male Infant) Circumcision
The discussion of circumcision can evoke strong feelings for some and can be a difficult topic to broach. However, I think it’s an important conversation to have so that parents can see all aspects of the topic which will help them in their decision making about a procedure that is irreversible and involves altering the body of a minor.
In Oregon, approximately 25% of baby boys are circumcised currently. Nationally, the rate is around 58%. Globally, it is estimated that about one third of baby boys are currently circumcised, most for religious reasons. It is rare in Europe, Latin America and most of Asia.
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis. The foreskin is as much as half of the skin on a penis, not just a flap. In an adult man, the foreskin is 15 square inches of very special skin. The foreskin is the most densely nerve rich part of the penis, with 240 feet of nerves and 20,000 nerve endings. The foreskin contains dense concentrations of Meissner’s corpuscles, which are special nerve endings especially sensitive to light touch. These highly specialized nerve endings are one reason why genital cutting is so painful to the baby. It is considered a cosmetic surgery, and not medically indicated except in rare birth defects such as severe hypospadias.
If you have been told that circumcision is cleaner, or if you’ve heard of stories of boys who had pain and infection from their uncircumcised penis, please take the time to watch or read some of the resources below. The fact is, problems with intact penises are extremely rare in countries where circumcisions are rare, even in countries without running water and regular bathing. Until recently, doctors and nurses in our country were misinformed about the care of an intact penis and they themselves caused much trauma and scar tissue to baby’s unknowingly by forced retraction. They also told parents to pull back the foreskin to clean at each diaper change. The intact penis is self-cleaning, as is a baby girl’s vagina. There isn’t any extra care needed aside from normal cleaning during diaper changes. As the saying goes, ‘if it’s intact, don’t retract!’
As the mother of three intact boys, and the wife of an intact husband, I do not support circumcision. I believe that babies deserve bodily autonomy and should have a say in the surgical removal of the most nerve-rich tissue on their penis.
With that said, I have had conversations about it with many, many families, and I am always open to discussing it more and answering questions, no matter where you stand on the issue.
If you watch just one video on the topic, this is the one:
“The Elephant in the Hospital”
Websites for more information :
Your Whole Baby (I have found this to be an excellent resources if any concerns ever come up)
