To hope that we can follow Iceland in banning male circumcision

[GladAllOver]

It really is time that this nasty practice is stopped.
www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/18/iceland-ban-male-circumcision-first-european-country

I know many non Muslim and non Jewish parents who circumsize their male sons for various reasons. I also know Muslims and Jews who choose not to circumsize, however it is an integral part of these religious beliefs. The main reason is to improve hygiene in both the male child and also his female partner in later life. It does have proven health benefits unlike FGM, but I see no reason why believers of these religions couldn’t wait until the child reaches adulthood and can therefore make the decision themselves.

My local paper reported the death of a baby a few years ago who bled to death after being circumcised

I dont know how to do links but it was in Reading.

Oh good lord! I thought this was about banning circumcisions in the ice-cream aisle!

I agree - good for them!

To misquote "east is east", why would the human body evolve to have something dirty or unhygienic that needs to be removed? Nature is usually pretty good at what it does, and in this case, male humans evolved to have a sheath of skin to protect the end of the penis.

Larry - women are part of the couple deciding to circumcise their child. So yes women can have a voice against other women and men choosing to do this to their son.
Just because something is a tradition or religious does not make it right.
There is only one reason to have a medical procedure and that's if it needs to be done for a medical reason.
It's a violation of that persons body. They should make that decision as an adult.

Foot binding use to be acceptable in China. That is a good comparison, it really isn't that long ago that it was very normal in China, I think about 1910 or 1911 it was banned but it took about 40 years for it to end.

Thinking of the pain all those little girls went through is almost unbelievable.

I'm on the fence. I don't think it's the equivalent of FGM, it's relatively minor in comparison.
On the whole, I'm against any unnecessary changes to someone's body that they can't consent to (baby ear piercing anyone?).
My dh was circumcised for religious reasons (fil is Muslim), dh has no religion and couldn't care less that he was circumcised, he thinks it's cleaner.
We had the discussion before our ds was born but I decided I couldn't cause any unnecessary pain to my child, this was cemented after I nearly bawled my eyes out at his heel prick test.
I do think that banning it will just mean that untrained religious leaders will carry it out causing infections and complications though.

Yes, of course women have a say. On the other hand it might be instructive to listen to the voices of circumcised men of faith and none.

If the vast majority are perfectly happy with it, as I believe they are, it is odd for a bunch of females to tell them of their great loss and how awful it must be.

Nature is usually pretty good at what it does, and in this case, male humans evolved to have a sheath of skin to protect the end of the penis.

In fact virtually every male mammal has a foreskin.

Also why would god design man like that and tell you to cut a bit off.

Because there is no god

Just goggled and three stories popped up of three boys, 2009 in Reading, 2014 and another died from complications, bleeding out and infection from circumsision in UK

It isn't tradition. It's an intrinsic part of those faiths. Surely respect for other people's religious beliefs should be part of any civilised society

Some religions and cultures have beliefs that are retrograde and barbaric- should we allow them to practise those?

So, many cultures don't believe in educating girls for very long, if at all- should we accept that?

Many cultures believe in subjugating females, that they should have reduced rights, opportunities, and freedoms- should we accept that?

It was the norm to circumcise boys in UK up until 20th century- but we don't do it today.

If God made man in his image, what gives man the right to immediately alter his work after birth?

Circumcision is barbaric, and should be allowed for all but absolute medical necessity.

Tallace - there's lots of sad stories online about botched circumcision. Boys left in pain; with damaged penises (penii?); boys who've lost them altogether; boys left with blood poisoning or other issues from poor procedures. Even if they are rare, they are perfectly possible outcomes. I find it bizarre that a parent would take that risk with a tiny baby's body.

The vast majority bar the ones you have not personally interviewed and of course the actual dead ones who can't speak out

Of course women are entitled to their opinion. The medical well being and acting in the best interest of the child is part if parental responsibility,

not be allowed!!! Obviously

Three boys a month taken to Manchester hospital due to botched circumcision

No. I mean that that men I know who are circumcised and have been happy to talk to me about their dicks (ie my husband, several former boyfriends) have not had a problem with being circumcised. So perhaps the ones who aren't happy to talk about it do have a problem with it and of course unless you do an inspection when you meet a man you might actually know circumcised men who don't even tell you about it.

Philodox routine infant circumcision has never been the norm in the UK. The highest incidence is estimated at around 33%.It's never been offered on the NHS, which is probably why it didn't catch on, other than among religious groups, and the aristocracy, apparently.

Three boys a month taken to Manchester hospital due to botched circumcision That is horrendous.

33% is pretty routine, no?
My father and all males in his family were circumsised, not for religious reasons, I assume for "hygiene".

@noeffingidea dh and dbil were circumcised on nhs 32&28 years ago according to mil. She didn't pay anything.

Haven’t rtft ...

I saw a documentary many years ago showing male baby circumcision and fgm ....

Both were done WITHOUT anaesthetic - it was absolutely barbaric! It was reported that some babies’ lungs burst during the procedure due to their screaming. It made horrific watching.

I agree it needs to be banned. What/who in their religion says this is necessary?? Why? Just why?

A s a survivor of actual child abuse, I find that comment a little offensive. A tiny baby will not remember being circumcised. Child abuse survivors do not have that luxury.

A tiny baby will not remember anything. Think about that for a minute.

He was born before NHS existed, sorry!