Son Underwear Issue

M.:

Welcome to mamapedia!

I don't understand the correlation between circumcised and uncircumcised and going commando.

I have two boys. They go commando. They have worn tighty-whitey's....they have worn boxers...they prefer boxer briefs.

Circumcised or NOT - they can still get caught in a zipper.
Circumcised or NOT - they can still get chaffed, especially if you buy cheap clothing. And underwear can cause chaffing too if you don't buy the right size or buy cheap....

Just because he's moving his junk, doesn't necessarily pinpoint discomfort, as even boys who were any type of underwear have had to move their junk as well.

He is six years old. Let him experiment with what he likes. When he is moving his junk - ask him - uncomfortable? If he says "yes" - then suggest underwear.

You can FEEL whatever you want. Do you need to BE concerned? No.

Remind him that when wearing shorts, people might get to see his "package" - just like they would with boxers. Since summer is here...does he want people to see his stuff? if the answer is NO. then take him shopping for underwear. Let him pick out boxers, briefs and boxer/briefs.

Circumcision has NOTHING to do with this - just want to point that out.

I think its unsanitary, unmodest, and ridiculous, if one of my sons was not wearing underwear, I'd tell him to put some on, end of story.

In my house, underwear was always worn. My boys would never have gone without it and I would not allow it.

Underwear always, unless with pajamas. That's our rule. I remember there was a little girl in my elementary school who went commando and we all knew. At age 9, we thought it was creepy. For boys, I'd worry that they'd get caught in their zipper. Also, in loose shorts you might get quite a view. Happened to a friend in high school. Yikes.

Didn't read all of the answers so sorry if this is a dupe. Have you tried boxers? He may like them since they are like shorts

I wouldn't allow it because underwear gets washed after one wear, but pants, shorts and jeans can be worn more than once. If they aren't wearing underwear, then that would increase laundry. Have you tried different styles of underwear? Boxers, boxer briefs, let him pick out his own?

I would not be concerned. This does not seem like the hill to die on.

My boys often go without undies - in fact they did today. None of them are circumcised though. However, if it's any help, my husband is, and does go commando with no problems.

We wash all clothes after one wear whether they're wearing undies or not. They always wear undies to school.

Dawn, your experience reminds me of There's Something About Mary. OUCH!!! luckily, none of my boys' pants have zips, but i will bear that in mind when they do have zips.

I think letting a natural consequences occur, is going to help here. There are many men and boys who do not wear underwear, for comfort reasons...

If chafing occurs, then maybe he then will understand the need for underwear, and if it does not happen, you will understand his choice.

There are no real rules in this situation, it is personal preference..

I know plenty of men, both cut and intact, who go commando, and it doesn't damage their bits.
I also know plenty of men who wear underwear and still constantly rearrange their package. One told me when I asked him about it, "When you move, it shifts. Sometimes it needs a little help shifting back."

Doesn't matter if he is circumcised or not.
Chaffing can still occur.

Now, I work at my kids' school. I see all sorts of things there when kids are playing on the playground during recess. Kids, sit and stand and go up on the monkey bars and do all kinds of positions when playing or sitting on the ground etc. and kids do not sit all gracefully. And let me tell you... if they are wearing shorts or dresses, you can see up their shorts or dress. Gaps in the clothing, creates a real eye full, when kids are playing or sitting. And, kids are not... careful.
And I tell them, close your legs, cover yourself, watch out everyone can see if I can, etc.
And boys, are famous for playing in dirt. Digging, kicking it up etc. And if they are sitting on the dirt doing this or crouching on the ground, dirt flies up into their pants too, via the leg holes. I have seen this happen many times. And then they start jumping around saying dirt/pebbles/sand are down their pants/privates. Oh well.
Once, there was a 7 year old boy, sitting on the ground, digging around in the dirt and making piles with it, all happy as a clam. He was commando. It was pretty obvious. And the dirt he was shoving around on the ground, happened to be going up into his shorts legs too. So then, it was in his, shorts. Good grief. What a mess. Yah, he complained. I sent him to the Health Room to clean off.

So just a story for you. That I actually see, happen with commando, kids.

But commando or not, boys are always rearranging their package.
Men do this too.

And this is gross... but, if your son is not good about wiping his bum after doing #2, then it will get on his pants/shorts whatever, and it will get a brown spot on it inside his clothes.

Pick your battles with the kids... this is not one to worry about. It may be a phase, it may not. There is no health reason that I can think of that forces you to wear undies.

Let him be. Soon enough something will happen and he will start wearing them again.