I can see how some people may think of it as mutilation but personally, I see it as a cosmetic alteration. Like implants or botox. Some may think of it as mutilation, some may not. It just depends on the person. I personally, had my son circumcised at a week old. Not only is it easier to keep clean, but girls talk. Some will talk about whether a guy is circumcised or not and may poke fun at him. I personally think this would be more traumatizing than a circumcision.

i agree although I may still not do the surgery when he's an infant. Perhaps give him a choice and if opts for it then I would give him my full support.

I am a woman of course, but I would like to comment on this. Please don't bash me for my opinion as it is just that. My opinion.
If I had a baby boy, I would get him circumcised. It is a very common procedure and it would be easier for him to clean himself. Plus, that way it would be done and he would not have to worry about it in the future.

I know and understand why some people would leave the choice up to him. I also know that there can be complications, but that they are very rare.

I don't believe that male circumcision can be put on the same level as female mutilation. When a female in africa is mutilated her entire clit is cut off. In that culture it is believed that a female is not attractive unless she is mutilated and has no sexual feelings. This way she has no desire to cheat. And it is also believed that the male is the only one who is suppose to enjoy sex.
In male circumcision, a flap of skin is removed, but it does not keep him for enjoying sex. If done correctly it does not affect anything in a bad way. There is nothing good about female mutilation. In my opinion.
Yes, I understand that some men are only attracted to a female if they are mutilated but in my opinion those men are not real men. They are disgusting hogs who cannot get off unless their female is mutilated.
And what kind of man enjoys sex when the female cannot even enjoy it? A very, very sad one.

Have any of you known anyone who had it done as an adult??It is extremely painful and can have a greater risk of infection.I would not hesitate to have my son circumcised.Better to do it as an infant when they heal so much quicker.

Patty... I have also heard that it is more dangerous and painful as an adult. This is why I would have it done when my child was an infant.

From what I know & have read, I thought only jewish/muslim boys were circumcised.It isn't something discussed over here & from what I know it's only done for medical or religious reasons.I know my brother had it done aged 3 for medical reasons because I remebering him telling us "i had my pee-pee cut off!!"
i get the impression that circumsion is popular with americans! My boyfriend hasn't had it done-he had no medical problems so he wouldn't need to!
I don't believe it could be classed as mutilation though unless it was specifically done with that purpose in mind

If I ever have children and I have a son, I don't know what I may do.
What if he wants it? Yeah it's not mutilation but it's not my body to decide what is altered or not. It's not like I can ask him when he just begins to talk. "little michael, I was wondering if you wanted that flap of skin on your wingy cut off or you wanted to leave it there. If you leave it there, it may get infections but you will have more pleasure doing what adults do when they are married, so what do you want"? Yeah, that'll go over well.

I know he may want it cut off in the future and be mad at me for not having it done and over with but it's just not something I would feel right doing. It's not my body.

Bd....I get what you are saying. I would just do it (most likely, but I really cannot be sure) because it is very common here, cleaner and that way he would not have to worry about it in the future. But I do get what you are saying. Who knows, it is one of those things that we just don't really know what to do.

i'm not sure about the surgery being dangerous an adult, I can agree that it would be more painful due to erections.