It's always going to be a never-ending debate because it's such an emotionally charged subject, much like breastfeeding and natural birth. The evidence is clear on which way is better for babies on all topics mentioned - circumcision, breastfeeding, natural birth - regardless of race or culture, however there are still parents making decisions against this evidence every day. I can only imagine that this is because the evidence isn't enough for some people, and they place other things higher on their "what's most important list". (I'm not talking about people who choose, for example, a c-section because of a valid, medically indicated risk where the evidence says it's safer to intervene.)

Personally, I'm an evidence girl. No baby of mine will have their genitals mauled, with or without anaesthetic. End of story.

However, I do believe it is reasonable to allow the child to make the choice for himself when he is old enough to decide for himself; pretty unlikely he'll have sex before then anyway and someone should really have taught him how to wash it properly by that stage.

Now, let's talk logically about how many males, being of sound mind and able to make the choice for themselves, would actually decide to have part of their penis removed. Would you have part of your vagina removed if it meant it decreases your risk of a UTI or an STD?.......

Don't women have part of their cervix remove because of an STD called HPV?.hmmmm. Anywho,
This thread is getting out of control which it was not meant to discuss the opinions on "mauilding" or not "moaulding"/ torturing or not torturing little boys. So a lot of you should lay off. don't you think you did enough damage to these poor pregnant ladies that are not saying anyting in the matter and are just defending themselves? Jeez.

I dont think there will ever be a calm discussion when it comes to this topic, But everyone should realise that you are not all going to agree and to respect everyones opinion. If you dont agree fair enough, but this is a forum full of people from different religions/opinions etc dont bash someone down for having a different point of view to you!

This is an extremely dangerous lign of thought. Do you really believe every opinion should be respected and tolerated?

Should you respect racists?
Should you tolerate women getting hanged for being raped?

You are basically saying that one is not allowed to disagree and speak up when you feel something is wrong. Just close our eyes and pretend it never happened.

The most important thing in a healthy discussion is to be able to discuss pros and cons objectively.

However i do agree with you to a point that neutral words and objective arguements will always get you further then using negative loaded words. One might want to think about what one wants to accomplish with a post before one writes it. I think one should consider this before one posts :'Are you trying to change someones mind, or are you simply trying to throw a fit at them for having a different opinion then yourself?'

I'm not taking sides on this matter, so don't even try to put words in my mouth.

I was commenting on THIS subject! No need to turn it into a stupid playground argument.

I am just stating that with this subject as with any there will be a difference of opinion, and with this forum being full of pregnant women emotions run high, of course everyone is allowed an opinion but there is no need to be rude/nasty with it. If you noticed my 1st post i stated i would not get my son circumsized but i never attacked someone who has/will as that is there choice not mine.

i knw people whove had it dne for medicla reasons and others for religious reasons if i have a by mine will be getting dne due to oh religion

yep, I agree. However,
I see a lot of the women who are against it are the ones who are rude about it. It's like they are calling these women bad mothers and such. This is just dumb. I am not saying that they cannot state their opinion but if they are going to they should do it in a respectful manner.
We are all different and from different backgrounds and we cant say that its wrong or not. But you know what is wrong? People being rude about it. Some one in another thread said "No one should be made to feel guilty over decisions they make as a parent and circumcision isn't done with the intention to harm". These women are saying that mothers who agree with it and do it are taking the decision away from their children, well I believe we make decisions for these babies all the time. Who cares about someone elses boys winky foreskin????? ha.
BTW if I have a boy I wouldn't know what to do, my DH (he is in the medical field) wants us to do it (if we have a boy) because he says that its better to avoid any health problems (which a lot of men who are not done do get) now that to be sorry later. He says it will hurt much more as you get older, specially if there is a problem. I really don't care and I have no opinions about it. There are pro and con in both side of the fence. Also they may have or may not problems if they have it done or not.
And to add about the STD part, even if we teach our children about unprotected sex, a lot of them do slip like PB said. and like PB said she will not be there to hand him a condom and remind him to use it. ha. and I'm pretty sure she prays to HER god (yes HER god because a lot of us might have different beliefs or might not belive in god at all and it is not wrong) that her son uses a condom at all times. But most of you girls are pregnant so your OH's obviously didn't use one. I'm saying that because my cousin (who was a virgin) got married with this wondeful man(he is done) and they got tested for STDs and everything. She contracted HPV because there is currently no FDA-approved test to detect HPV in men so he was never tested. He felt horrible and still feels horrible about and hge asys he most likely contracted it from his wonderful ex, who is a great great and is very clean (they were together for 6 years). So I think ANY OF US are in "danger" of getting an STD but if some one thinks that getting it done would lessen the chance of it, hey, then do it. I also wanted to add that any penis should be cleaned properly done or not. A penis is a penis and they are all ugly in my eyes ha ha ha done or not.

I totally agree with that statement

But if I have a boy, I wouldn't know what to do. I'm just pointing out the rudeness.

Baby.love I can't thank you yet because I don't have anough post ha ha ha so thanks