Disturbing Information

[Dr_Stone]

I didn’t want my son to learn about circumcision until he was much much older. The web is riddled with urban myths, lies, and hardcore activists. He discovered it by accident while searching for something not even slightly related. I caught him immediately after he’d discovered it, thankfully. I told him he’s banned from viewing those websites and why. Luckily I’m very computer technical to block that stuff (not parental controls) were he can’t bypass it without proper authorization (password); plus his history is stored in an external program he can’t access and it doesn’t matter what browser he uses. Next I explained in simple terms then in detail with papers about the procedure. He felt very informed after I explained it to him. I didn’t hold back information and told him everything about it. He was extremely nervous, but he wanted me to check his weiwei (penis) to see if he was healthy down there, he was (laugh). It’s a good thing I know the real data about circumcision. I got my information, still do, from the (not chronologically ordered) American Academy of Pediatrics, American Urological Association, Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Centers for Disease Control, NICHD, Stanford School of Medicine, ACOG, NCBI, and many more medically correct sources… I don’t get information by word of mouth, (pro nor anti) activist websites, general websites, and etc… He’s happy the way he is which makes me very happy. Now he knows he can come to me for anymore information about it.

I’m disturbed about the people on the internet trolling and brainwashing healthy boys/men into thinking there’s something wrong with their body when they’re perfectly healthy. I almost wish there was something I could do to remove that bad content off the web. I think it’s wrong what they’re doing other than giving an opinion. It makes me sad/depressed thinking about the manipulation that happens on the internet.

Basic links for you:
“Particularly because the topic of circumcision can be linked to strong opinions, parents should be cautious in interpreting stories or information from unvalidated Internet sources.” I can testify that you should always avoid activists, urban myths, or someone’s opinions while learning about it. I’m a non-activist.
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/164/1/104
“To find this and other Advice for Patients articles, go to the Advice for Patients link on the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine”
Web site at: http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/

{These questions are for any mom or dad whether he's circ. or not. ...for people with boys and not adult sons.}
Poll v
Does your son/s know about circumcision?
Do you want him/them to know about it?
What age do you think he/they should know?
Additional
How did you react?
How he/they take it?

[mamabalas]

specialmom I agree that I don't think this is a big deal.  Thank you for the reassurance.

[specialmom]

I don't think it is necessary to discuss it myself.  Let's face it--------  circumcizion is the norm in our culture and most boys are in the United States.  It is only a controversial issue if you are sensative to it.  I don't think most boys really care.  It's not that big of a deal.  

[mamabalas]

This post has sparked a question of my own.  My son is 7, and I have never discussed this with him.  I have never thought about it in fact.  I guess if he had a problem or abnormality then I would have.  When I had my son the doctors all said it was kind of 50-50 for people and it was entirely a personal choice on the behalf of the parents.  My question is, should we be discussing this with our sons?  And if so, what age is that an appropriate discussion?

[mammo]

I raised 2 boys who were both circumsized and this never came up one time with them.  Unfortunatley there is so much information available at our children's fingertips that they can read something that will scare them.  As adults we do the same when googling answers for medical symtpoms.  This boy may never have given it a second thought had he not come across something on the internet that gave reason to be concerned. I would have explained why it was done or not done and moved on.  But he did come to you and that's good because the internet can put things in their heads and if not addressed by an adult, they can carry a misperception around for a long time.

[RockRose]

I can't tell from your very lengthy and distressed post whether your son is circumcised and you're trying to protect him from the antis,  or if he is NOT circumcised and you're trying to protect him from the pros.  

I'm a girl,  so I don't always get deep male issues,  but the men in my family don't have issues about this.  It's like - with girls - are your ears pierced or not.  Is your belly button an innie or an outie.

Your long post seems to exhibit a great deal of distress with whatever decision you've made with your son,  whichever decision that actually was.  

My sons are circumcised.  They have a very few friends who are not.  It's all good.   None of them seem traumatized about it.

The bigger question here is you do seem to be suffering trauma from which decision you made,  or the decision that was made for you at birth.    I wonder if counseling might ease your anxieties.

[specialmom]

Well, don't be embarressed.  It's alright.  I would try not to worry too much-------  I'm not sure what you'd have to google to get that to pop up-------  but it seems unlikely your boy will.  I don't know how old he is but if he is noticing a difference than him than other boys-----  tell him there are others out there like him and that you all chose not to circumsize.  We're all unique and different and that is alright.  Kind of like a character lesson.  Good luck

[Dr_Stone]

He doesn't worry about it anymore. He discovered it by accident and I explained what it was. I prevented him from reading up on crap posted on the internet so he doesn't suddenly think there's something wrong with him.　Honestly, I don't worry about it either other than him filling his head with a bunch of nonesense. I should've shortened also worded the thread differently since it sounds totally different than I'd originally intended. Sorry, I regret posting this thread after rereading then to realize how extremely awkward it came out. How embarrassing.

[specialmom]

Well, why does your son have such a quest for knowledge on circumcision?  I was trying to figure out what you were talking about.  Is it that your child is not circumcised and you are afraid he will feel different than other boys that are?  Honestly, I'm hoping that would be a nonissue as who cares?  Some kids have brown hair, some blonde and some red.  We are all different.  So for my family--------  this is not an issue.  So no-------  I am not going to explain circumcision/noncircumcision.  It's a choice and not something we are hung up on.  
Maybe the "don't care" would have sounded better if I had said "indifferent" as for many this is a nonissue.  I understand you can not edit the poll but I'll not answer then as it does not apply to us.  Good luck.

[Dr_Stone]

"I don't even know what you are talking about to be honest.  My son is circumcized and he knows it ?????  You need to add a category for "I don't care".  Not trying to be rude but not exactly a hot topic for my family."

I can't edit once the thread is created too add another poll option, but some parents don't care if their son knows or what they know about it. I and other parents (not speaking for everyone) don't want our sons reading up false info. then feeling depressed or angered about his body. I'm not saying, "OMG he shouldn't know about it!" and be the over-reactive parent. lol Just that he doesn't need to be burdened with the debate over it or whatnot and just be a child. I've known others that went through this with their kids worrying about their body image or whatever. lol

[specialmom]

I don't even know what you are talking about to be honest.  My son is circumcized and he knows it ?????  You need to add a category for "I don't care".  Not trying to be rude but not exactly a hot topic for my family.

[Dr_Stone]

I'm going to say this once: This is NOT a thread for debate or harsh words. Please keep it to yourself and take it elsewhere!