Circumcision...

[Clementine]

...what is the point?

I see it as barbaric and I would classify it as genital mutilation. I would not subject my infant son to a circumcision.

Would you/did you circumcise your son? Why did you chose to or not?

[Tycoon]

I see it as barbaric and I would classify it as genital mutilation.

I see no reason to call it genital mutilation... if you are referring to the pain of being circumcised, circumcision is done near the birth of an infant and the pain is not remembered. It's like it never happened.

Would you/did you circumcise your son?

Well, there are several reasons for circumcision... first and foremost that it's easier to keep clean.

And then there is also a bit about prevention of STDs.

Circumcision - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In March 2007, WHO and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) stated that male circumcision is an effective intervention for HIV prevention.

A meta-analysis found that circumcision is associated with lower rates of syphilis, chancroid and possibly genital herpes

Some studies found that boys with foreskins had higher rates of various infections and inflammations of the penis than those who were circumcised

And, to be short, why not do it?

[Jinei]

I hear, although I cannot say for sure, that sex is more enjoyable if one has been circumcised. I guess it exposes more of the nerve endings that would otherwise be obstructed.

[Jack]

People's opinions on this topic are frequently colored by the predominant religion in that part of the world. Judaism underlies much of Western thought, and the Jewish practice of circumcision, supported by medical community, is widely accepted here. Elsewhere in the world, under different cultures and their predominant religion it's not at all common.

[Hurt]

I don't see much point to it. It's mostly as Jack said. I don't think there has been any real, conclusive proof that circumcision is good for anything in particular, besides what Tycoon has said, in hygiene.

[Jack]

It has benefited the careers of many a stand up comedian.

[Aussie]

Quote by: Clementine ...what is the point? I see it as barbaric and I would classify it as genital mutilation. I would not subject my infant son to a circumcision. Would you/did you circumcise your son? Why did you chose to or not?

I agree, completely unnecessary this day of age. Hygiene may have been valid point in the dark ages but is it really that hard to keep it clean in the shower? No problems here so far.

[Chaossaber314]

I think it inevitably comes down to whether or not the individual was personally circumcised. Men have a predisposition to defend the state of their genitalia when it comes into question by being called "mutilated" or otherwise. Both sides of this issue seem to be just fine with their ability to find sexual gratification so, in the end what does it matter to the other side except to criticize a difference in order to normalize their existence. Of course, whatever was or was not done to your own genitals is the norm, the right way things should be done, and everything else is weird or something to be debated.

[Clementine]

Quote by: Tycoon I see no reason to call it genital mutilation... if you are referring to the pain of being circumcised, circumcision is done near the birth of an infant and the pain is not remembered. It's like it never happened. Well, there are several reasons for circumcision... first and foremost that it's easier to keep clean. I didn't realise it was so difficult to pull back forskin while taking a shower. And then there is also a bit about prevention of STDs. Circumcision does not prevent STD's And, to be short, why not do it?

Because it isn't necessary. Why would you lop off a body part for no apparant reason?

[Clementine]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 I think it inevitably comes down to whether or not the individual was personally circumcised. Men have a predisposition to defend the state of their genitalia when it comes into question by being called "mutilated" or otherwise. Both sides of this issue seem to be just fine with their ability to find sexual gratification so, in the end what does it matter to the other side except to criticize a difference in order to normalize their existence. Of course, whatever was or was not done to your own genitals is the norm, the right way things should be done, and everything else is weird or something to be debated.

I am not sure about that. I don't even have a penis. So my opinion is not influenced by whether I am circumcised or not. As a woman, I just don't see the point. I did not have my son circumcised and I didn't even discuss it with my husband. There is no way I would have that done to my baby.

[Chaossaber314]

Clearly you don't understand the process since nothing is "lopped off".

[jose]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 Clearly you don't understand the process since nothing is "lopped off".

The foreskin, which contains nerve endings on its inside, rolls back during sex exposing them along the length of the penis, cutting off the foreskin reduces sexual pleasure, i can only guess this is done so that men don't enjoy sex as much,

[Gods_Mercenary]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 I think it inevitably comes down to whether or not the individual was personally circumcised. Men have a predisposition to defend the state of their genitalia when it comes into question by being called "mutilated" or otherwise. Both sides of this issue seem to be just fine with their ability to find sexual gratification so, in the end what does it matter to the other side except to criticize a difference in order to normalize their existence. Of course, whatever was or was not done to your own genitals is the norm, the right way things should be done, and everything else is weird or something to be debated.

Good post, I was going to argue, but you just found my motivation, so I'll sit out.

[Reflechir]

Right.....nothing is "lopped off"....just a little skin.
Its a personal choice. I had my son circumcised and I didn't question it whatsoever. It was just something that was done. Besides his father was going to be the one teaching him how to "pee on a tree"....not me...and didn't want him to be a "roller"....lol

[Clementine]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 Clearly you don't understand the process since nothing is "lopped off".

Huh? The cut the foreskin off of the penis. That is what circumcision is.

[another day]

You don't need lubricant to masturbate or recieve a handjob when you are not circumcized.

[jose]

at the moment male and female genital operations are not merely seen to differ in degree, they are seen to differ in type. So, despite the many people speaking out against female circumcision, those same people accept male circumcision: while all types of female genital cutting are seen to constitute a sexual mutilation and violation of bodily integrity, and male genital operations are dismissed as benign.

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: Clementine Huh? The cut the foreskin off of the penis. That is what circumcision is.

And I suppose when someone has laser eye surgery, they lop off your eye as well?

Either way you look at it, your phrasing was wrong. Circumcision is not castration no matter how some would like to paint it.

Quote by: Jose at the moment male and female genital operations are not merely seen to differ in degree, they are seen to differ in type. So, despite the many people speaking out against female circumcision, those same people accept male circumcision: while all types of female genital cutting are seen to constitute a sexual mutilation and violation of bodily integrity, and male genital operations are dismissed as benign.

Clearly you don't understand Female Genital Mutilation since you're trying to compare the two. The only way for a circumcision to be comparable to Female Genital Mutilation would be if they removed the entire head of the penis which they do not. The entire clitoris is removed in FGM.

[Jack]

genital mutilation is gendered.

It's also cultural. In the West we are used to male circumcision, but there's no comparable practice of female circumcision in our Judeo-Christian culture.

[Clementine]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 And I suppose when someone has laser eye surgery, they lop off your eye as well? Either way you look at it, your phrasing was wrong. Circumcision is not castration no matter how some would like to paint it. .

I did not compare circumcision to castration. Where ever did you come up with that?