Dads - do you remember learning what circumsicion was?

[gracepaints]

I have a vivid memory of being in fourth grade and learning about circumsicion for the first time. It was a Christian school and it came up during a Bible reading. None of the girls knew what it was, but I remember all of the boys groaning and shruddering when one of us inevitably asked about it.

Do you dad's remember being told about circing for the first time? Do you remember what you thought at the time? I'm just wondering what boys think when they learn about it.

 

[Darkhorse]

I learned about it when I was about 6 or 7. My mom read a paraphrased Bible to me every night about that time, and she explained circumcision to me. We both laughed about all the ancient Hebrew men in Genesis with sore "parts", but it did seem kind of gross to me.

Actually, it still does. My wife and I have not had our boys circumcised, telling them that they can have that done later on their own, if they desire.

 

[Redguard]

I was 5 or 6 when I had it done and I remember the experience vividly. I didn't understand why it was being done, I was just told that I had to have it done. No explanations, really.

My parents weren't really good at having talks with me about private parts and all that, so I never to a comprehensive "cirumcision" lesson that came from them.

I think I eventually read up on it when I was in grade 6 or something. I can't remember what my impressions were after reading it.

 

[jgonz]

DH told me that he was 8 when he was circ'd, because he had a lot of infections and the doctor told his mom he should have it done. He remembers it vividly, but was thankful later because he didn't have any more infections after that. He never told me if the procedure was explained to him beforehand or what his impressions were... (I guess I should ask...)

 

[Hadassah]

Here is my DH's response.

Do you dad's remember being told about circing for the first time? Do you remember what you thought at the time? I'm just wondering what boys think when they learn about it.

I can't remember when I learned about it the first time.

My thoughts about it? I really didn't have an opinion. When I had it done (26 yrs of age) my thought was "Finally". I had a problem, so this fixed everything and I was glad to be rid of it, and also to be living within the commandments that G-d set forth for my people.


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Please keep in mind my DH is a German Jew raised as a German Catholic... and that circumcisions here are largely done only in the Jewish and Muslim communities, and the only way German citizens will have the surgery done is if there are medical complications. It is not done here in pediatric wards unless there are complications,and we had actively sought out a way for our son to be circumcised. The Jewish community won't have anything to do with it unless I can prove my heritage, which I cannot.

 

[CelticRose]

MY sons have all told me they are pleased they were circumcised but gave no reason for their opinions. They were done as babies, alway knew about it because most of their little friends weren't & I had to explain it very early on, certainly before school age.

 

[Birbitt]

Dh says:

He learned about circumcision sometime in middle school and his reaction was pretty much that of the boys in your classroom.

 

[gracepaints]

I guess my real question is that with all the shruddering and horror in the reaction of young boys, I am wondering if they understand why it was done and if knowing so bothers them or not. I can see adult men understanding and maybe concluding that it was for the best (or not), but I wonder if younger boys feel that way or if they are just confused by it or just don't think much one way or another. Kids are funny about their own bodies - y'know? Like the kids that are afraid to potty train or get their haircut because they fear losing a part of themselves. I just wondered if it might be the same for foreskins.

I ask because DS has a cousin only a month older than him. I imagine they will take baths together or see each other naked at sometime and one of them is circed and the other is not. I'm trying to imagine how an explaination will play out when it is eventually sought and how it will be recieved.

 

[Darkhorse]

Well, in my limited experience and humble opinion, nothing beats a truthful, matter-of-fact explanation from a sincere parent (theirs or the cousin's). Kids seem to accept explanations well if the explainer clearly and calmly communicates the facts and answers questions honestly.

My boys have seen several uncircumcised boys like themselves (including a cousin) and several circumcised ones. They have had very few questions about it, and understand that it's simply a matter of surgical preference or necessity. They have shown no fear or discomfort about it having been done to others, including myself.

 

[Birbitt]

Dh said that even knowing why it was done didn't really change the fact that it kinda freaked him out and didn't really help him as a child. Though now as an adult it makes sense to him and he had no problem having both of our boys circumcised because he knew it was best for our boys though it may not be right for every child.

 

[Linnis]

DH says like you he learned of it at school only it was a Sunday School lesson. He couldn't imagine anyone being crazy enough to cut off skin from where?!?! LOL I can understand that reaction.


I'm sure it'll come up eventually for DS as everyone I know has their boys circed so he'll probably wonder why he's different.

I'll tell him it's a medical procedure and we didn't feel he needed it.

 

[CelticRose]

Kids are funny. Most of my boys' friends weren't circ'd but mine were the envy of every little boy they knew because they could pee higher & further than the other little boys, which was because they were circumcised. That was their story. I laughed myself silly when they shared that one.