Advice History

Aside from religious issues, if you and your spouse are debating circumcision for your son, a good rule of thumb is to do what Dad did. In other words, if Daddy is circumcised, then your baby should be too. That way, your child won't feel he looks different than Daddy when they are naked together. If Dad is not circumcised and has grown up feeling different because of it, he may press to have his son circumcised. Either way, in today's society both options are being chosen so whatever your decision is, your son will not be the only boy circumcised or not circumcised.

It seems that the large blowback on the circumcision issue these days comes from mothers as opposed to fathers who are themselves circumcised. Women, understandably, do not want their babies to be harmed in any way. Men who are circumcised generally want their sons to look like them, and know that there is no emotional scarring or residual animosity that the child will feel toward his parents as he grows up due to the simple procedure. It is important for couples to discuss the decision together.