The answers below are written to support a conversation with your son. Of course, girls can ask about this too, especially if a brother or friend is going through the procedure. You can adapt what is here to give girls information too.
If a younger child asks this question, you might find it helpful to make sure they understand this earlier question (which you will find in this section of the resource): What is a penis/Why do boys have a penis?
If your son is required to have a circumcision, then the basic response to the question here will only be the start of many conversations. Ask your doctor for more on what your conversations should involve.
If you want to talk more about boys’ bodies, there is more (organised by age) in the Talking About section; look at Names of Private Parts of the Body and Parts of My Body are Private.
3, 4 and 5-year-olds
A child this age is unlikely to ask this question, although they may hear the term and be curious. The response below will give basic information.
Boys have a penis. You have a penis.
At the end of your penis there is a little bit of skin.
Sometimes a boy needs a doctor to remove the skin.
6, 7 and 8-year-olds
In addition to the answer for this question about circumcision for medical reasons, there is some text here about non-medical circumcision, so circumcision that is part of the practices of a faith. You can use or expand on this text if it is helpful.
Boys have a penis. You have a penis. Every penis is different, just like other parts of your body are different from other boys.
At the end of your penis there is a little bit of skin. This is called the foreskin. Sometimes a boy needs a doctor to remove the skin. Maybe because the foreskin is too tight. (If relevant, the reasons for a circumcision can be explained here).
Sometimes a baby boy is circumcised because it is something that is done to every boy and man in his family and his religion.
Whether a boy is circumcised or not their penis still does the same things. You will go to the toilet as usual.
9 and 10-year-olds
In addition to the answer for this question about circumcision for medical reasons, there is some text here about non-medical circumcision, so circumcision that is part of the practices of a faith. You can use or expand on this text if it is helpful.
Boys have a penis. You have a penis. Every penis is different, just like other parts of your body are different from other boys.
At the end of your penis there is a little bit of skin. This is called the foreskin.
Sometimes a boy needs a doctor to remove the skin. Maybe because the foreskin is too tight. Or maybe there is too much foreskin. (The reasons for a circumcision can be explained here).
Sometimes a boy is circumcised because it is something that is done to every boy and man in his family and his religion.
Whether a boy is circumcised or not their penis still does the same things. You will go to the toilet as usual. You know that when a boy goes through puberty his penis will grow. It can get hard; this is called an erection. This happens just the same for boys who are circumcised.
11 and 12 year-olds
13, 14 and 15 year-olds
16, 17 and 18 year-olds
Every penis is different, just like other parts of your body are different from other boys and young men.
At the end of your penis there is a little bit of skin. This is called the foreskin.
Sometimes a boy/young man needs a doctor to remove the skin. Maybe because the foreskin is too tight. Or maybe there is too much foreskin. (The reasons for a circumcision can be explained here).
Sometimes a boy is circumcised because it is something that is done to every boy and man in his family and his religion.
Whether a boy is circumcised or not their penis still does the same things. You will go to the toilet as usual.
You know that when a boy goes through puberty his penis will grow. It can get hard; this is called an erection. This happens just the same for boys who are circumcised.
When it comes to masturbation or sex, your penis will work just the same. Men who are circumcised have a slightly lower risk of acquiring HIV and some STIs.
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