Circumcision

[foxlove]

I'm trying to write about circumcision, does anyone have experiences to share, or views, for or against?

[Bohne]

I have a view...

For my husband, being American it's quite normal..
However, I have already told him, there is no hope in hell, I'll cut a perfectly good peace of our baby boy.
He does not like it, but there's no compromising in that department!

[lou 26]

I dont agree with it, i think it is unnatural and unfair on the child. Everyone has a right to make their own decisions about their own body

[lou 26]

unless there was a medical reason for it of course!

[andy-hughes]

I was circumsied at 13 - usual medical reason, foreskin wouldn't retract.

I am really glad it was done now, I think foreskin penis (peni?) are ugly, and I don't have to worry about keeping mine clean.

I have no problems with sensitivity, in fact, I suggest i have more control because of years getting used to how sensitive the nerves are, and learning to control them properly.

I would never advocate having it done to a child for cosmetic reasons, and I doubt many men would volunteer for it. I was 'done' for my own good, and I'm perfectly happy,

[Drusilla1S]

I have to agree with the above. I've got daughters, so the issue never arose, but I would not want it performed on a boy to prevent 'possible' health problems later in his life, or as a cosmetic procedure because some people believe the penis 'looks' better when 'trimmed'.

I accept certain religions maintain the practise, but that's a matter I would not want to be drawn into.

[Lindylou]

And never never never for females! Child Protection Officers all over the country have problems with ethnic customs. A case I know of involved a six year old going back to visit 'Granny'. On return to Britain had to be admitted to hospital for treatment for appalling injuries and infection.

[QueenOfSheba]

Following on from Lindylou, anyone who carries out the "procedure" or is complicit in the execution of "female circumcision" ought to be strung up. Its an abhorrent "practice" and has no place in civilised society.

The very phrase suggests it is a male thing or why else would "female" be added?

For want of a better comparison, we say a "female condom", because clearly just "condoms" are primarily associated with men, for obvious reasons!

Just as we say the "male menopause" as the menopause is a female thing.

[Drusilla1S]

I saw a TV programme about a faulty circumcision a few years back that horrified me. It was the true story of a boy who's circumcision went so dreadfully wrong, he was brought up as a girl because a psychiatrist believed his gender identity would change if he was immersed and socialised in a female role.

Needless to say the child grew up with no end of psychological problems, was unable to live as a female, but physically unable to 'perform' sexually as a male and eventually committed suicide.

It's a true story and I know that a number of programmes like 'Law and Order' have used it in their plot lines. I'm going to google around and see if I can find the details for you, foxlove.

[Drusilla1S]

Here's one link.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1084201131913_27/?hub=TopStories

[Drusilla1S]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/dr_money_prog_summary.shtml

I think this is the actual programme I saw. It has the details of the boys life and a transcript of the show. Having read it, I am so glad I had girls. It is such a tragic story.

[CLOWN TICKLE]

I had it done in my 40s and really prefer it, the foreskin wouldnt retract properly, It healed well but the stitches wouldnt come out and I had to have the pravctice nurse take them out

[Pippa68]

Medical grounds ~ of course.

Religious grounds ~ against it, but then I am not part of a religion..therefore my views would not be valid :o~

Cosmetic grounds ~ twaddle. I like a 'natural' willy :o)

[AreebaAreeba]

I'm not sure if there is a major difference in the repurcussions of the procedure for the different sexes, but if there isn't, I can't see how the principle is different for males or females. I agree that unless it is for medical grounds then it is a choice that should be left to the person as an adult, and should not be inflicted upon a child.

[Drusilla1S]

The reason female circumcision is considered offensive by most of the world is because it serves no health function at all and is a cultural tradition and no more.

I disagree with male circumcision, but it was at least based on health considerations, as well as being a religious requirement amongst certain religious groups.

The only aim of female circumcision is to reduce the sexual pleasure of women because, as far as I can understand, the sexual satisfaction of women is considered unseemly in certain societies.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/fem_cirm1.htm

[andy-hughes]

AreebaAreeba, the two proceedures are radically different.

For boys, it is done at birth for Jewish boys, and for Gentile boys or men if needed medically. The later surgery on a teenage or adult male is carried out under general anaesthetic.

The proceedure of female 'circumcision' is an ancient and barbaric tribal rite still carried out in some countries. A girl of maybetwo to fiveis held down and has her labia - the outer lips of her her vagina -sliced off with a sharp stone or knife, without anaesthtic. the two edges of the resulting wound are stitched together, leaving a tiny hole for menstrual blodd to pass. The wound then scars over, and stays that way until it is tirn apart by the penis of the girl's husband on her wedding night, with suitable attendent trauma and bleeding. The more a girl bleeds, the more 'suitable' a bride she is.

The practise is largely outlawed, and considered barbaric by civilised countries. That said, it is still seen as a 'rite of passge' in rural and less civilised areas, and is perpetuated by women who had the proceedure carried out on them, and feel it only fiar that others suffer in the same way.

Different, I think you'll agree.

As i said, I was 13 when mine was done, in hospital, by a trained surgeon, it was a non-invasive proceedue carried out on an external organ, and I still remember the agony of recovery!

[gedk]

I am totally against it unless it it carried out for a valid medical reason. Slightly off topic I know but I work for a children's hospital which is vastly in debt and the staff have been asked if they have any suggestions as to how we can cut costs. My suggestion was that we stopped carrying out circumcisions which were only being done for cultural / religious reasons as I feel the money spent to carry out these unneccessary operations could be much better spent elsewhere. I am not alone in this opinion, indeed one of the consultant surgeons absolutely refuses point blank to carry them out.

[Lonnie]

I'm Jewish, and am circumcised, no ill effects whatsoever, and agree with it for boys of the Jewish faith, (I would, wouldn't I), but for Gentile children, and agai, only boys, I believe it should only be done on health grounds.

I read the story Dru's talking about, its true, and also very horrific.

[foxlove]

Thank you all so much for the debate and the personal stories and opinions. DrusillaIS - thanks for the links. All a big help. I'm trying to write an article which covers all aspects, pro and anti, reasons etc. which should go into the summer edition of Juno magazine, if I meet the deadline. Many thanks again to all of you.

[chongalolo]

I am Jewish, my husband is an atheist and when our son was born we decided not to have him circumcised. My family were very upset about this but we were adamant that unless there was a medical reason, we would not subject our baby son to such a practice. I have absolutely no regrets about our decision.