Circumcision in Mackay

[ProudDad]

mrsmac- thats great! its obviously not a huge job then? Yeah, its just my preferance- justification shouldn't be a problem. Happy to speak up for my kids (they too small to do it themselves) With the way people talk about it (or not for that matter) I thought it was a hugh job with specailist and the whole works and jerks. Even the missus thought we'd better put away about 2 grand just for the proceedure. Thank god I came on here. Its good to have this resourse at your finger tips- cheers, thanks again. I wouldn't mind starting an anomous poll just to see how many people have it done these days- so people can vote without scrutiny. Can it be done on here?

[BellyBelly]

Hey prouddad, welcome to BB We could do a poll but BB is a gentle parenting site so you will find the results would likely be in favour of non circ. When I spoke to a paed when I had my son (he wasn't in favour of it, neither was I) he said that it's about 50/50 these days. But that was nearly 5 years ago... I would think it would be less circ'ing now, maybe 60/40 perhaps less. But happy to do a poll if you wish, based on babies born so far this year to make it recent. There is also an existing poll about circ'ing or not, you can run a search in the baby forums.

[mrsmac]

mrsmac- thats great! its obviously not a huge job then? Yeah, its just my preferance- justification shouldn't be a problem. Happy to speak up for my kids (they too small to do it themselves) With the way people talk about it (or not for that matter) I thought it was a hugh job with specailist and the whole works and jerks. Even the missus thought we'd better put away about 2 grand just for the proceedure. Thank god I came on here. Its good to have this resourse at your finger tips- cheers, thanks again. I wouldn't mind starting an anomous poll just to see how many people have it done these days- so people can vote without scrutiny. Can it be done on here?

DS had the plastibell method, I think it was cheaper cause my obs is very reasonably priced and he just did it while he was in checking me.
Whilst my obs is willing/happy to do it we still had to explain to him why we wanted DS done.

[~Leanne~]

We just got the bill for our Circ and it was $100 - Also using the platibell method. I almost flipped when I saw the bill as I was expecting it to be a couple of hundred $$'s as my ob would not do the procedure so had to have DS admitted in for day surgery and use an ob I did not know.

DS has had no issues after the procedure and it's been 5 days and it's healed up nicely.

Best of luck with it all.

[tenar]

I read in an article (from 2004) that in 2004 the rate of circumcision of new babies in Australia was 12.9%. That's from the Medicare figures.

Maybe most people are now leaving it up to men to decide for themselves as adults, rather than making big decisions like that for a baby? That's what we'll do if we have a son someday (hope to!)

[Just Me]

I think when interpreting statistics, you have to be very careful to read all the information correctly. The Medicare rates do state the national average to be 12% for 2004 but that is using the average collected in each state and averaging it out. States like NT where the circumcision rate is less than 5% (but they also have a lower access to health care services in general) are factored in just as much as states like Queensland where the circumcision rate is 20%. It is also taken from Medicare statistics so does not account for babies that are circumcised where the parents do not claim Medicare rebates.

I don't think that what statistics say is a good enough reason to circumcise or not to circumcise. I think it is a personal choice that each family needs to make for themselves for their own reasons. It is good to be aware of both sides of the argument but ultimately, everyone needs to do what they feel is right.

[tenar]

I don't think that what statistics say is a good enough reason to circumcise or not to circumcise. I think it is a personal choice that each family needs to make for themselves for their own reasons. It is good to be aware of both sides of the argument but ultimately, everyone needs to do what they feel is right.

Agreed it is most definitely, by Australian law, something that parents can choose for their children.

But the statistics are interesting anyway. They suggest that while most men (more than 50%) of the previous generation were circumcised, most men of the next generation (currently boys) are not. This overall trend seems to being slightly reversed in recent years (circumcision rates up by about 10% between 1994 and 2004). Maybe that's due to demographic change? - we have more Muslims in Australia now than 15 years ago, I think.

I personally find it interesting to watch such a large change in something of importance, It makes me wonder why all those parents, who are, like all of us, making the choices they find best for their children, are making that particular choice differently to a generation ago.

So yes, the statistics aren't a good reason to do something one way or another (unless you particularly want your son to blend in or stand out in the locker room, I guess), but they are interesting anyway, because they provide insight into what other parents are thinking.

Personally I always like to have some idea as to whether a choice I make for my family is mainstream or not, and the reasons surrounding that.

[ProudDad]

A few good points there, for sure! I don't think a bloke would sway his way of thinking because of a statistic (or any blokes I know) But yeah it is good to see what other people are thinking.
Bellybelly:- yeah I think it would be a good idea to run a poll, even if it gives an idea of the demographic that uses this site
I fully agree, it comes down to personal choice and at the end of the day it might be a little desicion on such a big journey. Thanks again for the input everyone, its really helpful and as I said before, its great to see how other people feel. cheers