Like many boys born in the United States, Tyler was circumcised in the hospital after he was born. Although I would have opted for the procedure anyway, it never dawned on me that I had a choice in the matter. A growing number of parents, however, are opting not to have their baby boys circumcised. In fact, the percentage of circumcision has fallen since 1970, from 90% to about 60%.
A Chicago father actually sued to block the circumcision of his 9-year-old son. He was quoted as saying that “circumcision is an extraordinary medical procedure,” and he feels his son can make the decision to have it done when he turns 18. A judge ruled Tuesday in his favor.
When the boys parents divorced in 2003, the divorce decree gave the father the right to be consulted before any non-emergency procedures were performed. The father believed this was such a case. He also said he felt circumcision would cause his son long-term physical and psychological harm. The mother, on the other hand, was seeking the circumcision as a way to help prevent her son’s recurring infections which she said had caused the boy severe pain.
If you plan to have your son circumcised correct care is essential to assure your baby heals properly. In the September 2005 issue of Parenting, the following advice was given on circumcision care:
(1) If you notice a yellow discharge, use baby wipes to gently clean the area. Also, at every diaper change plut Vaseline or A+D Ointment on the incision to keep it from sticking to the diaper. The discharge is cause by dead skin cells falling off to make room for new ones.
(2) In some cases your baby may have to actually be recircumcised because of adhesion. Adhesion happens when the foreskin attaches to the tip of the penis because not enough skin was removed. Your baby’s pediatrician or a urologist should be able to pull the skin back at his office but if not, the procedure will have to be repeated.
Do you think the father was right to block the procedure, especially if the son was experiencing pain that would have been alleviated by the circumcision?
For information on circumcision see:
To Circumcise or Not