CDC rec to counsel all males about benefits of circumcision

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Wasn't sure the best place to put this, but here's the article:

CDC Considers Counseling Males Of All Ages On Circumcision : Shots - Health News : NPR

What do you think of this? Have you read the African studies and do you think they translate to our population? Do you think it's a good idea from a public health standpoint?

Nope, I don't. I know it's out there, but I just am not as invested in this topic as you are.

However, the morning is young, and I'm home with a puking child (I have no proof, but I suspect his stomach virus is caused, in part, but not being circumcised). Boredom may in fact change my mind at some point today.

Regardless of where anyone stands in this debate, THIS has to be one of the funniest comments I've read in quite awhile! :)

I can just see it now: I'll have staff who want to use sick time "calling in circumcised--or not"! :roflmao:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
How can a circumcised man be objective about circumcision? You've proved thru this entire thread that you obviously can not be. 

I actually have proved nothing other than to state what the research states.

I have seen uncircumcised males want to have their sons circumcised and circumcised males not want their newborns sons circumcised.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
If suddenly, a wealth of reliable peer-reviewed research appeared that demonstrated health benefits to female genital mutilation, wtbcrna, would you then support the practice and say parents should have the choice to impose it on their daughters?

Yes, I would if that research was similar to the male circumcision literature.

I believe that much in research, but I am also on my third graduate degree and I believe that I can tell what is high quality research and what is not.

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Specializes in hospice.

Well, then, that's why we can't understand one another. You believe science can baptize a completely unethical and barbaric act into something acceptable, and I don't.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Well, then, that's why we can't understand one another. You believe science can baptize a completely unethical and barbaric act into something acceptable, and I don't.

You will never get me to believe that male circumcision done by a trained HCP is unethical. That is your opinion. I can respect that, but I also think that as HCP you should respect other people's opinion on the subject too and never try to push your personal opinion on patients. I would never dream of trying to convince parents that are ethically against male circumcision to have their son circumcised.

I think that is where we differ. I use scientific evidence to guide all of my practice that I can, and I try never to push my personal opinions on my patients.

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Well, then, that's why we can't understand one another. You believe science can baptize a completely unethical and barbaric act into something acceptable, and I don't.

I'm sorry, but while I wouldn't refer to a baby boy who is not circumcised as 'gross', etc, I will not accept anyone referring to those who are circumcised as having undergone "a completely unethical and barbaric act". That just crosses a line that shouldn't be crossed in a discussion such as this.

While you have the right to refuse to have your own son circumcised, it's going too far to label those who choose this widely-accepted practice as being "unethical and barbaric".

I think perhaps when you start nursing school, these discussions (and how to participate in them with patients) will arise and your instructors can give you feedback on how you should--and should not--proceed. When you do become a nurse, there's definitely a line that needs to be respected.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
The point is you cannot speak for men. You cannot even give an opinion from a male's perspective. You believe this or that, but that is only your opinion.

IMO fathers are much more objective about circumcision then mothers. Mothers tend to think of how this is going effect my son's image, is it going to hurt etc. before considering any medical and health benefits. Fathers seem to think circumcision is practical (easier to clean and take care of) and has positive medical benefits. That is my opinion as male HCP.

Well, I know my husband who is circ'd didn't want our boys circ'd. So no...not all fathers think it is practical. He felt it was barbaric and cruel to circ. He felt no need to have his boys "look" like him. He actually said...by the time they would "look" like him they wouldn't be naked around each other. Let's face it...a little boy never looks like daddy. He didn't find the medical benefits compelling.

There are many fathers who also just say "go for it" without research because it's just the "known" and "common" thing to do.

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The point is you cannot speak for men. You cannot even give an opinion from a male's perspective. You believe this or that, but that is only your opinion.

IMO fathers are much more objective about circumcision then mothers. Mothers tend to think of how this is going effect my son's image, is it going to hurt etc. before considering any medical and health benefits. Fathers seem to think circumcision is practical (easier to clean and take care of) and has positive medical benefits. That is my opinion as male HCP.

You have OPINIONS (horror of horrors!)? I'd like to see peer-reviewed scientific research or your opinion doesn't count ;)

Seriously though.. Men = rational. Women = emotional :sarcastic: What a tired old stereotype.

Self-image is an interesting thing. When I read your posts in this particular thread, I think there's a real discord between what you likely feel that you're projecting and what I'm seeing. I see a lot of emotion and some defense mechanisms. This isn't an attack on you, it simply means that you're part of the human species. There's nothing wrong with emotion, I freely admit that this subject strikes a cord in me. It is good though, to recognize that we sometimes approach a subject with a significant emotional component invested, because it does have an effect on what and how we perceive and how we react. This isn't unique to you or me, it applies to all of us.

Even if one were to accept your analysis that objective fathers worry about medical matters and emotional mothers are concerned with their child's pain and self-image. Is one better than the other? Aren't they all factors that should be taken into account?

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Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.
You have OPINIONS (horror of horrors!)? I'd like to see peer-reviewed scientific research or your opinion doesn't count ;)

Seriously though.. Men = rational. Women = emotional :sarcastic: What a tired old stereotype.

Self-image is an interesting thing. When I read your posts in this particular thread, I think there's a real discord between what you likely feel that you're projecting and what I'm seeing. I see a lot of emotion and some defense mechanisms. This isn't an attack on you, it simply means that you're part of the human species. There's nothing wrong with emotion, I freely admit that this subject strikes a cord in me. It is good though, to recognize that we sometimes approach a subject with a significant emotional component invested, because it does have an effect on what we perceive and how we react. This isn't unique to you or me, it applies to all of us.

Even if one were to accept your analysis that rational fathers worry about medical matters and emotional mothers are concerned with their child's pain and self-image. Is one better than the other? Aren't they all factors that should be taken into account?

Thanks for finally summing up what I've been trying to say all along. Exactly.

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Specializes in hospice.
Well, I know my husband who is circ'd didn't want our boys circ'd. So no...not all fathers think it is practical. He felt it was barbaric and cruel to circ. He felt no need to have his boys "look" like him. He actually said...by the time they would "look" like him they wouldn't be naked around each other.

Same here. Plus, it's pretty easy to just explain why there's a difference when they do ask.

wtbcrna, I've suspected you were a circumcised male for much of this conversation. Being in favor of circumcision doesn't equal being objective, as you described those fathers. And from this conversation I think you're going to have a lot of trouble keeping your own bias out of your patient interactions. Plus, as a CRNA you'd have to work against your own profit motive if you advised against circumcision.

Your vehemence makes a lot more sense now.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

My husband's old car used to have a bumper sticker on it that said "Nice Hummer. Sorry about your member."

That really has nothing to do with this conversation other than the idea that men are defensive about their memberes reminded me of that bumper sticker.

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Specializes in hospice.

My turn to snort. ;)

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