Weddingbee boards

While I'm not particularly anti-circumcision if that's the way you want to go, I'm curious why we consider it normal and some even healthy to circumcise boys but to do a similar procedure on a girl is genital mutilation.

I'd be curious on people's thoughts one way or another without accusations. A mature debate must be possible on this topic.

I'm not exactly sure why it became the "norm." After researching a little bit myself, I see no medical need for it, and just like you said - it's considered genital mutiliation for a girl, why is it so widely accepted for a boy? They say it doesn't hurt, but I can't imagine that it's painless! And I couldn't bear to hear my baby scream, I say let the boy grow up and decide for himself! 

Actually, my midwife told me that between early bible times and just the last hundred years, it was nonexistant. Then in the early 1900's people thought that if they circumsized their sons, they wouldn't be able to masturbate, and masturbating was such an awful thing back then. I think that's sick!! That they thought cutting it off would "cure" the problem. She has some literature on it, I should find it so I can reference this story - I feel bad not citing it!!

@LGenz: Despite the Jewish population being prominent, statistically we're a tiny percentage so to say it all but disappeared in the USA could be true even if all Jewish males (and Muslim ones) were circumcised.

I'm leaving it up to FI to decide if we have boys. I personally don't think that FGM and circumcision are even comparable. Like bearlove said, the goal of each procedure is totally different.

@bearlove: While to me it makes no differene I know that most of the females I know are absolutely grossed out by an uncircumcised penis. I'm not surprised at your friend's story.

I honestly can't add anything worthwhile at this point, b/c it was a non-issue in our home.  I can't believe that three boys later I haven't educated myself on why my children had surgery, however safe compared to other surgeries, in their first days of life.  This is a great chance to share information and answer concerns if we can keep it above board! 

I think I fall in with the majority of people in the US who do it b/c that's just what we know. 

I'm a former nurse and used to assist with the procedure.  It never felt right for me, and after doing research, I am anti routine infact circumcision.

I only know one baby out of my group of friends who did it.  They had to get an appointment when their son was a few weeks old and do it.  They had to pay out of pocket.

I have two sons, both circumcised.  The doctor came in on day two, whisked them off for the procedure and brought them back 15 minutes later.  They had a little redness for about 3 days and that was it.  They weren't even crying. I honestly don't know what the fuss is.

Now, there was a story recently about a guy in his late 50s who was uncircumcised and had to go get it done due to some kind of problem.  When he was under the knife, the doctor discovered he had a serious cancer of the penis and he cut off the cancerous part, leaving the guy with about an inch.

He tried to sue and lost.  The doctor saved his life and here's the point:  Not being circumcised increases the risk of cancer of the penis, HIV and other STDs.  So, why would you want your son to face those future problems if they can be avoided with a simple procedure that they will never remember.  Unlike the guy who now needs to spend the rest of his life without his manhood.

@MsNarwhal: I totally agree with the cleanliness factor.  And the father of my boys is Jewish too:)

@zippylef: While it is less of a mutilation than many forms of "female circumcision", isn't it equivalent to removing the hood of the clitoris (as mentioned by a PP)? 

@plantains: I'm not claiming that it is the same as removing the clitoris, I never did, but to cut off a sensitive part of the genitalia could still be considered a form of genital mutilation.

@PinkMagnolia: I can understand if men choose to be circumcised. Then it's an informed choice.

I'm starting to realise that I feel a lot more strongly about this than I originally thought.

@Annabelle86:  I was a nurse in those areas and still chose not to circumcise.  I don't remember any of my coworkers circ'ing their babies too.

If the foreskin is such a hard area to clean, what does the other 80% of the world's population do?

I wouldn't remove tonsils or appendix because they may get infected during their lifetime.   Most inflammed foreskin can be easily rectified with yeast infection cream, the same as women.   It's very rare that a male patient needs a true circumcision due to issues.

It's not something that is reversiblem but can always be done later if needed.  I have always preferred sex with uncirucmcised penises, much smoother and never the need for lube.  :)