When my obstetrician asked my partner and me about our plans regarding circumcision for our soon-to-arrive son, I instinctively turned to my partner. As a woman, I felt it was his call to make. Being circumcised himself, he quickly replied, “Yes.” Great—one less thing to contemplate.
Then our son arrived.
During the pediatrician’s visit for a routine check-up, we inquired about the timing for circumcising our baby. He advised against it, noting that since our son didn’t have a significant foreskin, circumcision could lead to complications later on. We took his advice to heart, concluding that it was not a pressing issue.
Once we brought our son home, we were met with a flurry of unsolicited comments and questions about our choice—questions that really should be none of anyone’s business. Now that my son is two, I’ve encountered all sorts of opinions. Here are the top four concerns I’ve heard and my thoughts on why they don’t really matter:
- Isn’t it concerning that he won’t resemble his dad?
Honestly, my husband has dark hair, while our son sports a lighter shade. They differ in build, too; my partner is broad-shouldered while our son is as slim as a twig. In fact, most people say our son looks more like me! So why the focus on identical body parts? It’s irrational to fret over whether they share the same circumcision status. - What about him not looking like other boys?
Surprisingly, many of the mothers I know have sons who are also uncircumcised. Our pediatrician noted that the trend is shifting, making it quite possible that by high school, my son will find that he’s in the majority when it comes to circumcision status. Besides, no two boys are alike anyway, so why stress about this? - Isn’t it challenging for uncircumcised boys to maintain hygiene?
Are we really questioning the ability of boys to practice proper self-care? If I can teach my son to wash his hair and brush his teeth, I’m confident I can instruct him on cleaning himself adequately. Thanks for your concern, but I believe in our capabilities. - What if his future partner finds it off-putting?
First off, I’d prefer to believe my son will stay celibate forever—don’t we all wish that for our kids? Eventually, when he does find a partner, I assume they’ll both be so thrilled to be together that his uncircumcised status will hardly matter.
Ultimately, my child’s genitalia are not up for public debate. But since so many are invested in the topic, let me summarize: my son and his uncircumcised penis will be perfectly fine. If you’re worried about it, perhaps it’s time to find a new hobby or something more productive to think about.
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Summary:
This article discusses the decision-making process surrounding circumcision, highlighting common concerns from others. It emphasizes the importance of parental choice and the ability to teach hygiene, while addressing societal pressures about appearance and comparison among boys.