What exactly is the advantage of circumcision and why is their such insistence?

[FrigginRexManningDay]

I was watching 'What to expect when you're expecting' last night and one of the male characters was insisting on circumcision for his unborn son,which turned out to be a girl.

One of the reasons he agreed with was making the penis less sensitive. I don't understand the reasons behind it. AFAIK its not healthier or cleaner. I understand it being done for medical reasons of course,but it just seems unnecessary to be so routine in America.

[KentishWine]

Oakcake is correct. Circumcision reduces the risk of HIV. I don't think this is the motivation behind most circumcisions performed though.

[KittyCatKittyCat]

I can't say much about reduced sensitivity - that is surely a personal/perception/relative to the individual and cannot be measured universally?

My husband was circumcised due to a tight foreskin when we were first together (in his mid 20's), and I can say he certainly doesn't need to thrust harder! He doesn't seem to have changed much sensitivity wise. If anything, he's much more liberated to use it as he wishes, as opposed to being quite limited/uncomfortable, it was hard for him to relax before.

We then discovered his father had the same issue, as did his cousin, which makes us wonder if we should have it done at birth or not for any future sons. He was a bit of a late bloomer and I wonder if not being able to fully appreciate himself comfortably held him back somewhat... I'd hate for my own teenage sons to feel something was wrong and it stopped them feeling confident about themselves.

Still undecided. feel I'd hate it if my bits looked different and I had to ask my parents why they changed my body on my behalf. And then how would I explain that to my mates/partners as an awkward teen when doing the things teens do? Very undecided.

[MaryKatharine]

When are we, as a civilised country finally going to make this practice illegal?
I don't care about religious sensitivities and IMO, they should not be used as an excuse for allowing the multilation of a newborn.

Some young boys are always going to need to have the procedure for medical reasons. But then many young children with various medical issues need various procedures to correct them. Do we suddenly decide that all children should be put through the pain and discomfort of these?

It's utterly barbaric and a shame on us that we still allow it.

[KentishWine]

Link to WHO HIV page

[Tee2072]

Frau MNHQ have changed that title.

Circumscision most certainly does lower the rates of HIV.

I'm Jewish. My husband is not. Our son is not circumcised. I do not have a penis so did not get a vote when he was born, since I do not practice my religion. Even if I did practice it, I don't think my son would be circumcised as I agree it is an outdated and barbaric practice and there are other ways to prevent disease.

[Rooners]

it's true but I still think it's barbaric and wrong. And unnecessary.

[MaryKatharine]

Circumcision only reduces the transmission of HIV due to bad hygiene. It's because of the failure to wash adequately therefore leaving more bodily fluids behind the foreskin.

[FrauMoose]

I suppose that having no respect for any religion/religious practices does - essentially - involve not respecting huge swathes of humanity.

I'd argue that while bad and/or unnecessary things certainly have been done in the name of religion, the jury is still out as to whether those who claim to be free of superstition are actually kinder/more caring/more sensible in their behaviour.

[skyflyer]

DH is circumcised, medical reasons when he was a baby. He has no issues with sensitivity. When DS was born he had the same problem but not as bad so no need. For medical reasons I can see why but for personal preference it seems needless.

[skyflyer]

The doctor did say to us that if it was needed for DS it would be better to have it done while he was tiny because if you leave it until they are older (toddler) then it is more painful. Apparently it also takes longer to heal the older they are.

[SamG76]

Thanks, FrauMoose - my feelings entirely. These threads always turn into a discussion between the gullible and the clueless. It normally ends with people saying "I'm not Muslim but if I were I wouldn't keep Ramadhan" or "I'm not Jewish, Muslim, Black African, American, Aborigine, etc but if even I were I definitely wouldn't have my son circumcised"....

[MaryKatharine]

Well I don't think it makes you a better people simply because you are not religious.

But I do think it makes you a bad person to sign up to mutilate a newborn baby's body simply because it was thought to be good practice 2000yrs ago.

[NotDead]

Well after going to school with boys who went on and on about dick cheese, who had disturbingly whiffy trouser removals in the changing rooms etc etc I think male circumcision is fine.

True it makes handjob skills a bit more tricky - no half-hearted slidy stuff girls have to actually think about pressure, slidiness etc etc..

I think foreskin = great when balls swinging in air/dunked in mud.. you know nature stuff, but with clean cotton underwear and washing and that .. well is it really needed?? no parasites generally to crawl up there etc..

as for sensitivity.. well sensitivity of penis is low when not erect anyway.. and yes there is some talk about losing that sensitivity but no man can ever compare with 'the other' as circumcision in youth is not the same as pinning it back after a lifetime of cheesy mustiness covered head..

Isn't HPV infection more likely in partners with a male foreskin in the room??

Anyway lube, orgasm, strong erections make circumcised penises too sensitive to touch so not sure the effect is MASSIVE...

[MaryKatharine]

And I totally respect any adult who makes the decision to believe in God. Why would I not respect them? But I cannot see how anyone can justify circumcision. How can we say that smacking is wrong but genital mutilation is just fine?

[NotDead]

I hope haircuts and shaving and cutting nails and wearing clothes and plucking nasal hair and washing and fitness programmes are made illegal too - what's wrong with 'natural'??

[gutzgutz]

My dad is circumcised (TMI from my mum, I prefer not to think about my dad's penis ). Apparently this was common in England in 1940s (northern town). I gave my Jewish husband the option to have our sons circumcised at birth if he felt strongly about it but he was too lazy to get organised. I politely ignored MIL when she offered to get DS1 done at 6 months. Hasn't mentioned it with DS2..... I think it's unnecessary...

[SamG76]

Thanks, Mary Katharine - I am a "bad person", along with the vast majority of Jews and Muslims. I see we're back in EDL territory again.

[ukatlast]

Quote MaryKatherine: 'When are we, as a civilised country finally going to make this practice illegal?
I don't care about religious sensitivities and IMO, they should not be used as an excuse for allowing the multilation of a newborn.'

Couldn't agree more.

[MaryKatharine]

No, Sam, sorry that's too easy an get out for you to suggest that I'm a fascist simply because I think the appalling practice of cutting off pieces of a child's body should not be tolerated in this country.

[mrsravelstein]

i'm jewish, by birth/race, but have no religious beliefs at all. when my sons were born my mother asked if i would circumcise and i pointed out that i would no more circumcise my sons than i would my daughters. it is a disgrace that is allowed in the UK for anything other than medical reasons.

[mrsravelstein]

mutilating your newborn child for no reason is so clearly a "bad" thing to do. it shouldn't require any discussion at all.

[MaryKatharine]

It has absolutely nothing to do with slighting any one religion. Nice, white American Protestants indulge in it too. I am equally as contemptuous of them.

[SamG76]

MK - why do I need a get-out? You're the one who has stated that the vast majority of Jews and Muslims are bad people, which happens to be pretty close to the views of the BNP, let alone the EDL+....

[MaryKatharine]

Where did I state that Jews and Muslims are bad people due to simply being Jews and Muslims????? This has nothing to do with fascism. I have no time with extremists from any side who believe themselves better simply because of their colour or race. It is a lame argument to say, 'oh MK disagrees therefore she must be a fascist!'

The practice of circumcision is cruel and outdated and should not be tolerated in a civilised society. I don't give a hoot why individual parents choice to do it. They are all a disgrace IMO.

[Clawdy]

Have to say the circumcised ones look better...Sort of neater..