How does circumcision work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:fact, non-religious infant male circumcision is illegal in some countries as well. I believe that in our lifetime, we will see this unneccessary and harmful practice outlawed in this country also.

Really? So, you think that in our lifetime our country will become a place that tells Jews and Muslims, for example, that they cannot practice a custom that is sacred in their religions? Huh. Interesting. Sounds like a lovely, tolerant place to live. Of course, at the current rate, we are headed there anyway. And you also think that our country will become a place that intervenes regularly in the medical decisions parents make routinely for their children, as well? Again, very lovely thought. Can't wait to live in such a place, a place that "outlaws" things.

Circumcision is not cosmetic surgery, sweetie. There's actual science there. Really, there is. There's risks in doing it and risks in not doing it. Most rational parents understand this, weigh their options and make their choices. And most rational parents respect those choices. But maybe we'll outlaw science as well!

[Anonymous]

Really? So, you think that in our lifetime our country will become a place that tells Jews and Muslims, for example, that they cannot practice a custom that is sacred in their religions?

You'll notice that I was clearly referring to non-religious circumcision, which accounts for about 95% of neonatal circ in this country. By the way, female circumcision is illegal in the United States regardless of the parents religious traditions. Do you think that is fair or intolerant?

Circumcision is not cosmetic surgery, sweetie. There's actual science there. Really, there is. There's risks in doing it and risks in not doing it. There's risks in doing it and risks in not doing it.

No need to be condescending. Many doctors freely admit that it is a cosmetic surgery. Here is a pro-circumcision video (warning for the squeamish: it shows a circ) where the doctor says just that:
http://newborns.stanford.edu/Gomco.html

And, if you do your research, you will find that the "science" has been fabricated and misinterpreted from the beginning. Circumcision was a ritual first; then over the years doctors have tried to prove that it alleviates certain medical problems - only to have those same theories disproved years later. Did you know routine infant circumcision was originally implemented to cure masturbation? To cure epilepsy? Yes, when infant circumcision first became fashionable about 70 years ago, there were studies proving that it cured epilepsy. No kidding.

Most rational parents understand this, weigh their options and make their choices. And most rational parents respect those choices. But maybe we'll outlaw science as well!

Most parents don't know square one about circumcision. They hear that there are potential health benefits (from a pro-circumcision doctor who stands to make a lot of money off of routine infant circumcision), and they decide to go for it. After all, "everyone does it" and "it looks better." Most parents don't know how it's done, how much it hurts, what the immediate risks are, what is lost, and what the long-term consequences could be. If any one of these so-called rational parents (or doctors, for that matter) could even name five functions of the foreskin, I might be a little more inclined to respect their decision -- even if their decision was to circumcise.

[Anonymous]

My doctor made about twenty bucks from doing the procedure, once the insurance company got through with everything. He's definitely NOT doing it for money.

I'm just thrilled that my son will look like his dad and his peers. Call me simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to scare anyone but my son is one of those rare cases of a circ gone bad. He ended up losing 30% of his blood and needed a blood transfusion. The urologist was furious and so was i, given how much experience my OB had. Needless to say, had No. 2 been a boy, I would have never opted for it again.

just quoting myself to show that some of the nastiness and the BS and the evil can actually become a reality for some people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're about to have a little boy and we are opting to circumcise him because of all the reports on AIDs and STDs. I'd rather circumcise my son and hedge his bets on later not getting a STD. It's totally a personal choice, but with the current information out there, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Yes, circumcision decreases the chances of getting HIV during unprotected sex. Yes, it IS easier to snip him as a child than to teach him responsibility as a teenager.

Me? I'm up for the challenge.

[Anonymous]

Will you be following your son around on dates with a pack of rubbers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My doctor made about twenty bucks from doing the procedure, once the insurance company got through with everything. He's definitely NOT doing it for money.

I'm just thrilled that my son will look like his dad and his peers. Call me simple.

When will you be having your first "penis-matching" party for your son, your husband and your son's peers? Sounds like it'll be loads of fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you be following your son around on dates with a pack of rubbers?

Did you know that circumcised men are 53 percent more likely to get genital warts?

http://weswell.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2008/04/04/thwart-genital-warts/

The idea that the intact penis is more disease prone is stupid.

[Anonymous]

Wow--get that info out immediately!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you be following your son around on dates with a pack of rubbers?

No, but to echo: I will be teaching him responsibility. I will be teaching him that his penis, and where he puts it, are very very important. Circumcision (chopping off part of it without his consent) directly contradicts that concept.

I am sorry for your son if you see him as a brainless penis.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully we will all be teaching our daughters that her vagina is of extreme importance, that no one is to come near it without her consent (which would be a horrific violation), and she should be very wary about to whom she consents.

Why are we teaching the opposite to our sons? Why is removing part of his sex organs any less a violation than using it for sexual gratification against his will?

[Anonymous]

A distinction must be made for religious circumcision, which carries the significance of a covenant with the Creator. Freedom of religion is paramount--even if those of us outside the religion don't understand it.

Circumcision with no meaning or purpose is just that--meaningless and purposeless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My doctor made about twenty bucks from doing the procedure, once the insurance company got through with everything. He's definitely NOT doing it for money.

I'm just thrilled that my son will look like his dad and his peers. Call me simple.

When will you be having your first "penis-matching" party for your son, your husband and your son's peers? Sounds like it'll be loads of fun.

LOL!!!!!!!!

My husband is circumcised but he chose not to circumcise our ds, and I supported that decision. A friend of mine had her DS circumcised because DH didn't want other boys to laugh at him in the locker room. This comment made me want to explode. I am not anti-circ, but why, why, why do people make such a big decision for such a stupid reason?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My doctor made about twenty bucks from doing the procedure, once the insurance company got through with everything. He's definitely NOT doing it for money.

I'm just thrilled that my son will look like his dad and his peers. Call me simple.

When will you be having your first "penis-matching" party for your son, your husband and your son's peers? Sounds like it'll be loads of fun.

LOL!!!!!!!!

My husband is circumcised but he chose not to circumcise our ds, and I supported that decision. A friend of mine had her DS circumcised because DH didn't want other boys to laugh at him in the locker room. This comment made me want to explode. I am not anti-circ, but why, why, why do people make such a big decision for such a stupid reason?

Not a stupid reason at all - a very sensible and mainstream reason. Gee, you sound like a great friend - did you tell your friend you think she's stupid.

Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully we will all be teaching our daughters that her vagina is of extreme importance, that no one is to come near it without her consent (which would be a horrific violation), and she should be very wary about to whom she consents.

Why are we teaching the opposite to our sons? Why is removing part of his sex organs any less a violation than using it for sexual gratification against his will?

Bizarre.