Start Date
17-11-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
17-11-2017 11:30 AM
Abstract
Background: Since medical evidence supports both pros and cons of routine neonatal male circumcision, expectant and new parents are left to make the decision to circumcise their sons on their own. There is limited research as to why American parents choose to circumcise their newborn sons.
Objectives: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to identify the reasons behind parental decision making in neonatal male circumcision in the United States. Understanding motivating factors in parental decision-making can highlight areas of prenatal education for expectant parents.
Method: An integrative literature review was conducted utilizing these online databases: PubMed, The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) Complete, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source, and PsycInfo. The Health Belief Model was used as a framework for this paper.
Results: The primary motivating factor for parents choosing to circumcise their newborn sons was so that their son’s penis would look like the father’s. A secondary factor was the cost or availability of the procedure. Surprisingly little heed was given to the perceived medical benefits of the procedure. Parents who choose to have their son’s circumcised due to American cultural norms were resolute in their view, whereas parents who left their sons intact tended to examine relevant literature and expressed a primary concern with medical benefits rather than cultural adherence.
Conclusion: Providers must ensure that parents are making the decision based on knowledge of the benefits and risks of the procedure rather than cultural patterns. Providers should provide education in order to ensure informed consent in obtained.
Included in
Bioethics and Medical Ethics Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons, Medical Education Commons, Nursing Midwifery Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Pediatric Nursing Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Urogenital System Commons, Urology Commons
Why American Parents Circumcise Their Sons: An Integrative Review of Literature
Background: Since medical evidence supports both pros and cons of routine neonatal male circumcision, expectant and new parents are left to make the decision to circumcise their sons on their own. There is limited research as to why American parents choose to circumcise their newborn sons.
Objectives: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to identify the reasons behind parental decision making in neonatal male circumcision in the United States. Understanding motivating factors in parental decision-making can highlight areas of prenatal education for expectant parents.
Method: An integrative literature review was conducted utilizing these online databases: PubMed, The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) Complete, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source, and PsycInfo. The Health Belief Model was used as a framework for this paper.
Results: The primary motivating factor for parents choosing to circumcise their newborn sons was so that their son’s penis would look like the father’s. A secondary factor was the cost or availability of the procedure. Surprisingly little heed was given to the perceived medical benefits of the procedure. Parents who choose to have their son’s circumcised due to American cultural norms were resolute in their view, whereas parents who left their sons intact tended to examine relevant literature and expressed a primary concern with medical benefits rather than cultural adherence.
Conclusion: Providers must ensure that parents are making the decision based on knowledge of the benefits and risks of the procedure rather than cultural patterns. Providers should provide education in order to ensure informed consent in obtained.