Circumcision

[SouthAfricanmuminUK]

I was thoroughly abused by several English mums of my acquaintance for having my sons circumcised at birth. Although I did my research and found it to be better from a number of perspectives, nothing would convince them it was reasonable. I am wondering if they will retract their accusations now that it has been revealed that Diana, saintliest of all mothers, had both her boys circumcised ...

Circumcision rates in the UK were about 35% in the 30s, weighted heavily to the upper classes including the royal family. The NHS didn't fund it from 1948, and a study indicating minimal medical benefit was published in 1949, so rates began to decline. Apparently the rate now in babies born here is around 6.5%. Yes it's more common in some minoritised groups but that hasn't really affected the decline that much.

We did it because my late husband was Jewish - long story. I wouldn't do it now.

Intact dicks are extremely far from gross ❤ though tbh I love them all.

I disagree. It's mutilating a child's genitals. They're comparable.
If you're picturing the conditions in which girls genitals are mutilated then consider that in those environments boys penises are circumcised in the exact same conditions.

Who on Earth thinks Diana was a saintly mother? Well intentioned and loving I’m sure, but I don’t think anyone thinks she was perfect.

I agree, I'm not seeing a difference here?

Agreed. It's mutilation of the genitals. The reason behind it doesn't make it any less wrong.

@ElonsMusky and everyone is born in a beautiful body that doesn't need disfigurement babes!

Vile

They are NOT comparable. Males can still function in every way if their foreskin is removed. FGM is barbaric and causes lifelong problems for the poor victims. They are both morally wrong, I agree, but to conflate the two is a massive betrayal of the girls and women who are literally maimed for life.

I have always been against the genital mutilation of children, but now I know our People's Princess disagreed, I'm OK with it.

There are several types of FGM, including one that consists of removing the clitoral hood alone. The exact equivalent of male circumcision.

Not all FGM affects sexual function. You are thinking only of the most severe practices where sewing and removal of the clit are involved.

Not religious coercion at all, my husband and I are different religions, and have raised none of our children to practice a specific religion or none, rather we let them make their own minds up using the wealth of information available.

The 10 year old I admittedly hesitated about letting him go for it, but felt he was better off having the support of his sibling.

I gave birth to my oldest son when I was 14 years old and raised him with little support, if I was mature enough to raise a child at 14, I think my 13 year old would be quite capable of making his own decisions.

So yes, Frankly, proud I am, just because it’s an anonymous forum doesn’t give you the right to call someone a disgrace of a mother, says more about you than it does about me, perhaps you should consider that everyone has their own difficult life circumstances which shape our decisions

Male circumcision is fine. Very common and safe and even better than not doing it.

Female circumcision is absolutely horrific

Simply because of their biological structures

I don’t agree with circumcising children unless there’s a medical necessity. Let adults do what they want.

However, sexually, I prefer a circumcised penis. Purely coincidentally, the first three guys I had sex with had been cut. I got a bit of a shock with the first foreskin. I’ve had a few since and they’re fine, it’s not my body, I’d never tell them I prefer it but I definitely prefer circumcised. There was no difference in terms of how their sensitivity or enjoyment came across to them (from my perspective) and none of them had any physical issues from it.

YABU. Circumcision is maiming a child's body without their consent.

@LaLuz7 but all fgm wrong. How is removing a foreskin different,

I was arguing that they are indeed comparable and just as bad.

@Mannymoomin you should be utterly ashamed!

Your poor children!

Why would you even suggest at that age they mutilate their bodies!

Did this get done in the UK, because if we don't allow children to have tattoos, how the hell do we allow them to have selected circumcision?

Why would they even consider it, if they weren't coerced?

And @Mannymoomin I'd calm you disgusting face to face, so it's not about an anonymous forum!

@LaLuz7 apologies. I've had a wine tonight. I'm lying on the bed half asleep. I have read your post all wrong and gotten it mixed up with some other comments. Agein apologies

No worries :)

The aristocracy are even more dysfunctional than I had thought. Might explain a few things.

I know men with foreskins and men without. The men with foreskins, I don’t recall any ever expressing regret at having one. Of the ones without, a few have said they wished they had not been circumcised, but most are content or believe it preferable. I myself have a foreskin and am content with it, though in our pornified sexual culture one is lead to believe that circumcised is the “classic look”. I’ve never had sexual relations with a woman who gave a toss either way, except one who said she appreciated an uncircumcised penis because it was somehow more like a vagina (she was bi, not sure if that was a factor).

As for the studies re disease, I know a lot of the older ones done in the US were brought into question because of the disparity between the demographics of circumcised vs uncircumcised men, ie white lower-middle class and upwards, vs black and Latino and some white working class, and the degree to which the latter had access to sex education, health care etc etc.

Circumcision is child abuse unless there is a strong medical need.

Male circumcision, unless medically advised, is unnecessary and should be outlawed. But please, please, please - it is NOT in any way, shape or form ‘as bad’ as FGM which is life changing and physiologically stunting whatever they cut away. The lives of girls who experience FGM are blighted. Males who are circumcised are still able to fully function and able to experience pleasure (although arguably less than uncircumcised men). FGM is misogynistic and barbaric. Make circumcision is just dumb and based on false health assumptions.