POLL: is circumcision a genital mutilation?

[Peetoeng]

If you read conservative commentaries, they often cite 'female circumcision' in Afghanistan as an barbaric, grotesque act. But, then how different is male circumcision? Both are forced cutting of human tissue. Have you ever heard a little kid in Columbus, IN begging: 'hey mom and dad, may I have my peepy cut?:Q Did you remember you parents giving you an option?

It's been posted in past threads, that's male circumcision practice in the US (for the non-jewish of course) was started by the puritants to discourage masturbation. I don't think that would deter those who decide to take matter on their own hands.

Some cited recent studies that correlated female cervical cancer with non-circumcised partner. But, I don't think that it is the reason for perpetuating male circumcision. Smoking and excessive drinking cause a lot more death than cervical cancer, but we don't circumcise part of their body (some brain tissue perhaps) that make them enjoy the pleasure of smoking and excessive drinking.

So, the question remains: Is circumcision, male or female, a barbaric mutilation?

 

[vi edit]

It doesn't inhibit sexual function like female "circumcision" does.

Two totally different things IMHO.

 

[UglyCasanova]

No, and I'm glad I am.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Where's the "only female circumsion is genital mutilation" option?

 

[gopunk]

you're fricking CUTTING OFF a piece of your genetalia.. of course it is genetal mutilation.

but who's to say it's barbaric? i think your choices are kind of loaded, there is no reason to include the word "barbaric".

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: dparker
No, and I'm glad I am.

 

[Soybomb]

For guys I believe the constant friction from pants, etc densensitizes things over time. I don't think its right to do it to a child. If the person wants it done, let them choose to do it when they're mature. I was not given this choice, but if I have children they will.

 

[Peetoeng]

Originally posted by: gopunk
you're fricking CUTTING OFF a piece of your genetalia.. of course it is genetal mutilation.

but who's to say it's barbaric? i think your choices are kind of loaded, there is no reason to include the word "barbaric".

That's intentional. I am trying to apply the same sentiment I got when I read some writing by Ann Coulter for example (my first paragraph) to similar act done on males.

EDIT: for highlight.

 

[yakko]

I have been modified for better performance. I don't think it is mutilation to do it to a guy.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
For guys I believe the constant friction from pants, etc densensitizes things over time. I don't think its right to do it to a child. If the person wants it done, let them choose to do it when they're mature. I was not given this choice, but if I have children they will.

i agree... i am circumcized, but i don't mind that i am. i don't remember the cutting, it doesn't bother me, i am really neutral. maybe even happy because i don't have to worry about the foreskin and i don't have to experience a circumcision at this later point in life (which i imagine would be firmly imprinted in my memory as opposed to not).

but logically, i don't see any justification for it... the benefits are not that great... not great enough such that they significantly endanger the child and should thus be obtained at the cost of personal liberty.

i am also influenced by my mother saying if she had the choice, she would opt not to do it again. she said she didn't know what it was (understandable... she's an immigrant), but when i came back i was shaking and then she realized what happened and was "horrified".

 

[FrustratedUser]

Anyone messing with my boys are a barbarian.

 

[PlatinumGold]

my grandmother insisted that my brother and i don't get circumcised at birth so we weren't.

I have 2 sons and they are both uncircumcised.

it's not a big deal, but that's exactly why i didn't have my sons cut, why cut my sons over something that isn't a big deal??

 

[eakers]

i don't think that male circumision is necessary and if i have a boy i would just let my husband decide wether or not he should be circumsised

the thought of female circumcision makes me feel ill.

 

[KMurphy]

To compare male and female circumcision, you'd have to remove the entire penis of the male, not just foreskin. Female circumcision you refer to is the removal of a female's clitoris to remove all sense of sexual pleasure.

And my three sons are not circumcised; but I was at birth.

 

[Riprorin]

I got the mod and I'm no worse the wear.

My dad told me that when he was in the army just after WWII, quite a few of his friends were circumcised. It wasn't clear to me why the military did that exactly.

Apparently, it's really not much fun at all to get it done as an adult.

 

[Stojakapimp]

Google does wonders

It sounds like one of the biggest concerns over not getting circumsized is the amount of health issues that arise. I also heard from somewhere, although it's not on that webpage, that men who are circumsized, on average, have longer penises.

 

[LH]

My dad told me that when he was in the army just after WWII, quite a few of his friends were circumcised. It wasn't clear to me why the military did that exactly.

I can suspect why.

Its the same reason, they keep their heads shaved. Its a cleanliness issue. Well atleast it was back in that time. Especially in war.

 

[Riprorin]

So they were concerned a penal infection would put them out of action?

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
For guys I believe the constant friction from pants, etc densensitizes things over time. I don't think its right to do it to a child. If the person wants it done, let them choose to do it when they're mature. I was not given this choice, but if I have children they will.

I would tend to agree with you. The operation was performed on me at the age of 5, and I can remember it all too well. Unfortunately, I didn't really have a choice, due to a medical condition that pertains to the relative size of the cover of that organ being significantly smaller than the inside portion of that organ, to the point that it was somewhat painful. Sorry, that probably had too much information.

 

[Ornery]

Ornery, Tuesday, July 09, 2002 9:27 PM

• You know what it is about organized religion that is so contemptible to me? It's the insidious way it's extreme rituals become socially acceptable. Everybody recoils in horror at the female genital mutilations performed elsewhere in the world, yet think NOTHING of male circumcision! What's the difference? Hah! The difference is the way you've been coerced into accepting it as normal by your parent's religion.
  
  Well, that's it in a nutshell. Molding innocent children with these strange rituals, guilt and obligations, just rubs me wrong. The more extreme individuals, like MichaelD's coworker, are even more abhorrent.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

It's cutting off a piece of someone' s genitalia. It is definately mutilation. I was amazed when I moved to the US and realized that most men were circumcized. I had thought only Jews did this. I fail to see the purpose.

 

[Stojakapimp]

if you bothered to read that article i linked earlier, you would have read that the practice goes way back before the Jews.

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: LH

My dad told me that when he was in the army just after WWII, quite a few of his friends were circumcised. It wasn't clear to me why the military did that exactly.

I can suspect why.

Its the same reason, they keep their heads shaved. Its a cleanliness issue. Well atleast it was back in that time. Especially in war.

Men fought wars before circumcision was started. That didn?t keep them from fighting.

Correct me if I?m wrong (cause I have no dates to back it up).

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
if you bothered to read that article i linked earlier, you would have read that the practice goes way back before the Jews.

I'm saying that before I moved here, I thought only Jews circumcized.

 

[Riprorin]

You know what it is about organized religion that is so contemptible to me? It's the insidious way it's extreme rituals become socially acceptable. Everybody recoils in horror at the female genital mutilations performed elsewhere in the world, yet think NOTHING of male circumcision! What's the difference? Hah! The difference is the way you've been coerced into accepting it as normal by your parent's religion.

Well, I guess organized religion isn't right for you. For some people it is.

Ever hear of TOLERANCE?

I think that you need to grow up.

And after all, it's just a bit of skin.