I watched this show out of interest to see how they would spin the story. I think it was all the same ol' fluff that gets bandied about everytime this subject is bought up. Nothing new from either side that I could see.

I will happily be honest and put my hand up for having circumsized my sons. I dont have any shame or fear related to that decision. My boys are happy, well adjusted kids and their penis' work like any other males.

I dont feel they are psychologically damaged by having been circumcised, they wont even remember the procedure or time afterwards. They were all done before 8wks of age which is the safest and physically easiest time to do so. All had the plastibell procedure under local anaesthetic. I actually watched Ds2 being done as I felt I could not be fully supportive of circumcision as an idea, or for my own boys, without being 100% informed on the procedure so when offered the choice to watch I did so (with great trepidation I assure you!).

It was interesting to say the least (I wont give details on what exactly happens) - from my POV Ripley cried from the injection and from being held down. I dont believe he felt any major pain and he was perfectly fine afterwards. I think it was more distressing for me that he was crying for a few minutes and that I could not be the one to hold him. Even with this knowledge, I still went on to have Ds3 done a few weeks ago because I believe still that it is the right choice for my boys.

I think circumcision is a fence sitting topic - there are no completely compelling reasons why it should or should not be done that encourages illegalisation or compulsory participation of it. I truly think its a personal choice and should stay that way. I dont care if people choose NOT to circumcise. I would not teach my children that those who are uncircumcised are any less of a man than they are/are dirty etc - their just different in a minor physical way.

I worry about how other boys, and eventually girls, will treat my boys because they ARE circumcised. I think the only fear of psychological harm my children could possibly have is from an encounter with a passionate anti-circ'er who will fill their head with nonsense about child abuse and what we did being psychologically harming.

If they themselves, without encouragement, tell me that they feel we made the wrong decision - then I will apologise but tell them that I made what I thought was the best decision for them at the time, which is what my role as a parent involves. I never intended to cause hurt or long term issues for them, I love them and all my parenting decisions stem from that love whether it correlates with the "norm" or not. This could apply to alot of controversial parenting choices in the long run so we are probably all in this situation at some point.

FWIW, my husband is uncircumcised. I made it known I was pro-circumcision but let him have the final say as he is the one with first hand penis knowledge. I had a stipulation that IF they ended up with any recurring issues ie UTI's, foreskin problems; that they would be circumcised while they were still young enough for us to make the choice for them. He decided to have them done because he can remember having foreskin issues as a kid and it being very painful/embarrassing for him. Not to mention the issues he has had as a grown man. He would rather they be circumcised to possibly prevent these issues as newborns rather than have to endure medical problems AND surgery as an older child/adult. He contemplated being done himself but decided against it as adult circumcision is extremely painful. So it was a fully informed decision - the Dr who performed it even gave us a pamphlet stating all the pro's and con's including statistical and medical info for BOTH sides.