Circumcision, does it depend where you live?

Question

Just a general query here, I live in the UK and like everyone else I know and have spoke to here I am 100% against circumcision it's something that VERY rarely get done here and I believe isn't even done on the NHS so parents would need to go private.

Anyway I am aware that many people in the US still aren't up to date with new medical information and still beleive that circumcising is the right thing to do.

I don't want to get into a debate about whether it's right or wrong here just want to know if you would do it and if you are UK or US (or any other country obviously) to see if it is a 'country thing'

I'm talking about just boys btw (mainly because I refuse to beleive that anyone agrees with girls being circumcised)

applecrisp i think you'll find I state ignorance on the part of people like you, not doctors in America, people who are given information yet choose to ignore it for their own pre-conceptions.
And I am not aware of anyone going to USA for treatment so I can't answer that question.
You have decided to take my question personally and thats a shame but up to you.

Oh i forgot to say I am aware that Muslims and Jewish babies are cicumcised as part of their religion, of course that goes on everywhere what I refer to is for cosmetic reasons I suppose.
And to the people who give lots of websites and facts of the pros of it why don't you actually open your mind and look for websites for the cons and read them without being biased because I know thats something you are probably unable to do

Answer 1

Well, without getting into the rights and wrongs too much as requested by the OP (I am very anti though)

I'm in the UK and it is very rare here. Mainly done when there is a parental religious or cultural reason, but it is not part of the standard Brit culture, no. In fact, on the odd occassion I've heard it discussed, people often liken it to child abuse. That's my opinion too.

Only around 20% of the male population of the world is circumcised.

I'm amazed at the people saying it's nasty not to. What a fucked up attitude. It's a natural part of a body. Men were designed to have one. If your culture circumcises, ok, but don't look at normal penises as 'nasty'. Nasty in what way? Nasty how?

Answer 2

I'm in the UK too, I haven't had it done and would not have it done. My belief is if Men were not meant to have a foreskin then they would not have one, as we do have one then leave it alone, you wouldn't remove your eyelids would you?
Incidently, for a condition known as PHIMOSIS it is surgically performed on the NHS. This is when the foreskin is so tight it cannot be retracted or it has been retracted and will not go back to it's original state. It causes blood flow blockage and can be very dangerous but is thankfully rare. More often than not when circumcision is performed I don't think it is about not having "new medical information" so much as for religious reasons. All Jewish and Muslim men are circumcised for example. Thankfully female circumcision does not exist in the western world as far as I am aware because that really is barbaric!

Answer 3

There are two main reasons for performing male circumcision in the UK. Religious belief and clinical reasons. If you exclude the religious aspect the clinical need is indicated by a condition known as phimosis. Male infants suffering with this condition find it difficult and sometimes impossible to pass urine! To remedy this a circumcision is performed which is available on the NHS. Female circumcision is a very different, sensitive and emotive issue in the UK and is not performed because of medical reasons.

Answer 4

Are you talking just Boys or just Girls or Boys and Girls?

I am also UK and also 100% against it (for either sex), and feel it a little almost abuse when carried out on a non-consenting child and should be prosecuted as child abuse. Fair enough, if the child accepts the religion or other weird ideas of the parents when they are 18+ it is their CHOICE to have it done, otherwise it's just abuse of the worst kind.

The 'so called' medical arguments are bullshit, if it was so necessary, it wouldn't be because evolution would have resolved the issue. Fact is, evolution HAS resolved the issue but the backward in our midst will not accept it.

Don't think it linked with countries so much as basic intelligence!

Answer 5

I think it is more of a cultural thing -so here in the U.S. with many diverse sub-cultures you have different groups of people who do or do not believe in circumcision. Certainly the percentage of non-circumcised has increased over the last 20 years and I think this is because of increased education and discussion.

As far as the medical commuity, I think they are quite obliging to the parents' wishes.

Answer 6

I think it does. I live in the US and am having a baby boy in a couple of weeks. I decided strongly against circumcizing him as there is no medical use for this. I believe that it is a barbaric and unnessecary procedure. Most people that have asked me about this get upset about me choosing not to; but it's my decision people!! My husband is Korean and not circumcized, he's gone his entire life without problems.

My sister has circumsized all of her boys (she has 3). Their penises turned blue and bled while they were healing, this is absolutely horrible. She didn't want to do it, but her husband is Muslim and therefore they are required to do so.

My Midwife advised me that there is no real medical need for this. The hygiene factor is not an issue, teaching your children how to clean themselves is a parent's duty anyway. I did a speech against circumcision in college and found out that the head of the penis becomes desensitized after circumcision.

After all, if forskin is so bad; why don't animals chew theirs off?

Answer 7

do a bit of research (don't mean that in a nasty way)and u'll be surprised to find that circumcision is VERY common here in the UK. Mainly amongst the Muslim community - (only BOYS get the chop- not the girlies) this is due to hygiene reasons and following religion guidelines etc. One can have it done under the NHS but only after the age of three months and a referrel from ur GP. mostly done privately at a cost of circa £100 here in the South East. EVERY single person i know who is a muslim and has had a baby boy (in the uk) has opted for circumcision. its very common and very normal in my opinion. i think the same would go for a Muslim person living in the USA. probably more of a religion thing than a country thing methinks.

Answer 8

I'm in the US. It's pretty close to a 50/50 split here on whether parents do it or not. I know the US used to be almost 100% pro circumcision but times are changing.

Answer 9

I am 36, my brother is 35 and neither of us has been circumcised. My son is 13 months and he's not been 'done' either, it had never crossed my mind to get him 'done' either.
We were all born Blackburn, Lancs.

Answer 10

I am from the US and it is just 'the norm' I dont think it is even questioned. Now I do know several people who have had to have one in their 40's and I think its a lot painful then. I think these days it is a matter of the kids fitting in. I have 5 boys and 3 are circum and 2 are not. I think it is also according on who your dr is and what they believe. I think everyone has their own opinion about it. Good to hear from you!!