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AIBU?

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Original poster

Circumcision should be banned.

634 replies

ArabellaScott · 24/01/2025 14:44

https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/01/judge-and-parents-call-for-boys-to-be-protected-from-circumcision

Article describes an upsetting case of two doctors performing these ops without anesthesia, and with sometimes serious side effects. One boy nearly died.

The National Secular Society is running a concurrent campaign to ban all 'religious cutting' - that includes both FGM and male circumcision. I wholeheartedly agree that no baby or child should suffer in this way. More info:

https://www.secularism.org.uk/religious-surgery/

YABU - circumcision for religous reasons is fine
YANBU - circumcision should be banned (unless there is a medical reason)

OP posts:
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11
ArcticBells · 24/01/2025 15:04

I had to be present for one ( in a nursing capacity). No anaesthetic at all. Horrific

Coconutter24 · 24/01/2025 15:03

MrsTerryPratchett · 24/01/2025 15:01

I don't think FGM should be lumped in with male circumcision, even though I disagree with both.

Why?

Anotherparkingthread · 24/01/2025 15:01

It's dreadful and should only be done for medical reasons. If a man wishes to be circumcised for religious reasons he can make that decision himself when he is old enough to do so.

Alltheyearround · 24/01/2025 15:01

Agree. I used to always point out on medical forms where it said Religion....well, he's only 2 so he's not made his mind up yet.

Yes, I know hospitals sometimes need to know - for diet reasons, or if someone was very ill. I do dislike this idea that the child is somehow the property of a parent who can impose their beliefs to the point of body modification.

MrsTerryPratchett · 24/01/2025 15:01

I don't think FGM should be lumped in with male circumcision, even though I disagree with both.

Didimum · 24/01/2025 14:59

Hard agree.

dogfrogdog · 24/01/2025 14:57

Yep I think it's awful.

UninterestingFirstPost · 24/01/2025 14:56

I don’t think parents should be allowed to modify their child’s body for non-medical reasons until the child is old enough to decide. It’s the parents’ religious belief in play, not yet the child’s.
When I first changed my newborn son’s nappy I remember thinking that some parents hand over their perfect baby to have a bit cut off. I can’t imagine being able to do that. (Also, so few people conform with every precept of their religion so it surprises me that they feel entitled to follow this one that alters another person’s body.)

Macrodatarefiner · 24/01/2025 14:48

It's a difficult issue. I think genital cutting highlights the challenges of multiculturalism as being about far more than food and music. I think on one hand it is possibly wrong, and supremacist to impose my moral beliefs on others who belong to radically different cultures. On the other hand, I really really don't like it, I think it's cruel and unnecessary.