Since we're diving into touchy topics...

It's right up there with piercing your baby's ears. WTF.

I dunno. I sorta agree, and would have preferred to remain un-circumcised, given a choice. On the other hand, it's a fairly benign and ancient ritual that was originally intended to "set apart" the Jew from Gentile. Additionally, a newborn isn't going to retain a conscious memory of the surgery, so I think it's a little more humane than waiting until emancipation. Bottom line, I say don't ask, don't tell. There are far too many chiefs trying to tell us squaws and braves how to live, already.

Uncircumcised penises look less attractive when compared to circumcised penises, just my 2 cents.

Well thank god my parents weren't so shallow and barbaric. Uncircumcised men like myself have the last laugh, as cutting off the foreskin decreases the sensitivity of the penis from having the glans be exposed all the time.

Ritualistic mutilation is a deep, meaningful part of human society.

Usually it confers lifelong, permanent membership to this group or that (depending upon the mutilation), and in addition social status and societal capital, as a rite of passage.

It has been with us for millennia, and will remain so - it seems to be getting more frequent, easy, and risk free - not less.




There was not a single medical, religious or social reason for circumcising my sons (or daughter, to be fair), thus no circumcising has been done.

I shall not detail my thoughts about putting a child under the knife unnecessarily here, but you can well imagine.

As far as women are concerned - by the time the subject comes up - well - I have yet to meet a woman that has rejected a man because of the character of his penis, whatever form it might be.

Of course, I fully expect a rebuttal on this last point, if only for humour's sake.

That's because that is what you're used to seeing.

I have to disagree with most of your comments, Paolo. It's not benign. Try watching one done. Yes, I don't remember it - but I wouldn't remember if they'd removed my finger as part of a ritual either. Humane? How about letting *me* make the decision about my *own* body?

Funny story, my mom and I had this conversation and she asked me "Honey.. if you could choose, would you have chosen to have it done?" I said "No.. I was born with it and I would've preferred to keep all of my penis"

She apologized over and over and over again. I told her not to worry about it.. but don't expect my son to have it done.

Well, I haven't seen too many in my day, .

Wouldn't that mean that if you're circumsized then you can't drive pipe as long before you strike oil?

I'm not saying it is a reason for circumcision. Just commenting on the apperance of it. Someone may look better with all of the extra pounds of fat sucked off of them, but I don't think it is necessary, unless you are very obese.

That's what I thought as well

Yup. Of course, that's a generalization and varies from person to person - but in general, yes.

I think it looks 'normal' to those of us who are brought up in a society that still practices it. Talk to someone from a country where it is not the norm and I'll bet you get exactly the reverse.

I don't have children and have never had to contemplate weather to snip or not snip.
I do know an at home nurse, however, with an older male patient that has had massive complications with a catheter. This gentleman is in his 80's and now has to be circumsized because of the complication.
So there is more to take into consideration besides hygiene or looks.
Now my preference, not that it means a whole hell of a lot, is a circumsized penis. There are many reasons for this preference and looks is only one of them.
However, I will agree with the statement made above about women not caring that much about weather or not a man is circumsized or not. It's just a preference, not a must.

No argument here Juro. As far as I'm concerned, any 'doctor' that tries this procedure on any son I produce will get the same thing done to his fingers.... with a cigar cutter.

After all... he'll just get dirt under his nails.

LOL!

Pics please...

And keeping to the social norms of modal fashion in body adornment and modification is also quite human and is violated at some cost.

I agree with your rational argument (but for the religious rite bit, but not strenuously) but humans have many factors impinging on their decisions other than strict rationality.

And although Georgie put the kibosh on research that would allow you to get a true replacement, plastic surgeons can do pretty reasonable reconstructions today. I'm not sure I'd want to experience that pain myself, but if it is important to you....

I'm just saying there are much bigger fish to fry in this mucked up world. And actually, yes. I've seen the procedure performed on my own sons. It was uncomfortable to watch, but they recovered very quickly.

As a matter of routine, I do think that physicians should always ask parents first before performing the procedure. But, please tell me you're not going to form PETPen (people for the ethical treatment of penises) to foist your agenda on the world! I could just see you marching the Haight with penis effigies in hand.

My parents made me wait until I was like 12 to get mine pierced (even though I had pierced them myself by this time hehe) and seeing a baby who can't be more than a month old with pierced ears is ridiculous. They are only doing it for their own satisfaction. What's next, baby nose rings and tats?

Let's all bling out our babies and appear 'cool' to the other parents...

Just to ease everyone's mind, a circumcision can't be performed without informed signed consent from the newborn's mother or father. Doctors can't just decide to circumcise little boys in the delivery room willy nilly.

I was a NICU nurse for 17 years and have seen thousands of circumcisions done. Do I agree with having it done....not really sure. One things for certain, I would insist on local anesthesia. My baby was born female, so I was spared having to make the decision. If she'd been a boy, I most likely would have had the procedure done. I have 2 friends, both RN's like me, who didn't have their son's circ'd at birth and both little boys ended up having chronic urinary tract infections which can lead to kidney damage. This is despite having mothers with medical knowlege, who were diligent about keeping their little boys clean and tidy. Both children needed to be circumcised when they were pre-schoolers. I realize this isn't going to happen to everyone, but the fact that it happened to 2 of my friends little boys influenced me.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has wavered on the subject of circumcision for years now. Not sure what their current position is, since I no longer work in pediatrics or neonatology.

The main point is they are performed without the informed consent of the person ACTUALLY HAVING IT DONE TO THEM. I am glad my willy wasn't made nilly.