Is infant circumcision wrong? Why not?

Question

I certainly know that now, if I was asleep or in an operation, and someone altered my genitals in any way, I would do them for sexual harassment...

Ok, reasons I believe that (infant) circumcision is wrong:
1. the baby has NO say it what is happening to them. With a consenting adult, I think it is ok.

2. it is not necessary. In some cases it may stop build up of bacteria, but it also can CAUSE infections. It is an unnecessary operation. For example, perhaps we could also justify removing every newborns appendix? They can cause problems after all, and do not help in any way. Operations, big or small, should only be done if they are NEEDED, which circumcision is not.

3. It is a removal of skin from the PENIS. Though this may seem like a small detail, to me it is huge. I don't believe that anyone has the right to mess with anyone elses genitals without their consent, even more so than other parts of the body. If I knew that my parents had asked for this procedure to be done on me,

I would be pretty upset and also feel uncomfortable about it.

4. The foreskin actually increases sexual sensitivity and pleasure, as it rubs against the head of the penis and has many nerve endings.

Also, not being a guy, I have talked to male mates about this and they pretty much shudder at the thought of it. My male Jewish friend IS circumcised, and though he doesn't seem to be anti-circumcision, he definitely does not see the point of it or the benefits.

'Speaking as a female....an uncircumcised penis is nauseating.' - Horses for sourses, I guess. I much prefer uncircumcised, speaking as another woman :P I don't see what is wrong with the natural state of the penis, and I find the head less attractive if it is uncovered.

'I didn't want them to feel self conscious because they looked different from their daddy.' - WHY would they be looking at their dads bits naked? I doubt they would notice much at a very young age, and when theyre older I don't think they should be looking at their dads penis anyway...

'But, really, have you ever seen one not circumcised?.......EWW' - Yes, so far in life I've seen 3 not circumcised... Doesn't bother me one bit, it's natural.

'just as they select their children's language, relgion and nationality.' - Nationality is only selected by the country the child grows up in, or thier background, and then becomes their choice later on. My parents did not choose my religion, and I dont think you canj ever choose what someone else should believe. I'm glad they didn't. Language is rarely selected, it is just the chance of what language/s the parents speak. Again, a child can later adopt a different language.

Circumcision is irreversible.

'How would you know the foreskin increases sensitivity?' - Not from my personal experience, you're right. But men circumcised in their adult (sexual) lives, have often noted less sensitivity afterwards.

I also prefer masturbating a man with a foreskin. It means that you everything is...smoother. I'd imagine you'd definitely need lube or something for a circumcised man.

'I think its not such an important issue and a matter of personal preference.' - I agree, but PERSONAL preference, that of the person having the operation, NOT the parents.

Parents should look after their children, not agree with the removal of parts of their body (UNLESS it is already a health issue. But in most cases it is not, it is done as a 'hygeine' thing)

I have to mention that I am NOT one of those people who think that circumcision is comparable to female circumcision. They are totally different, and female circumcision is a LOT worse.

However, I do not think that a child's parents have the right to choose to unnecessarily remove the foreskin of their baby. It is natural to have one, and each person should be free to make their own decisions, especially with regard to that area.

I also do not believe that parents have the right to force their children into a certain religion, so the religious views do not really convince me either.

Excuse me Scuba, but how are these websites unbiased? ('We've noticed that parents who are too ignorant and/or uncaring to have their sons circumcised also neglect to teach them to keep clean')

Answer 1

Every human being has a right to a body as complete and perfect as G*d or nature gave it to them. No one or group has a right to change that because of their opinions or superstitions.

This basic right applies equally to girls in Africa, Asia, and boys in the U.S.

Answer 2

I have 3 boys and have had all 3 circumcised. The third one though is the one I really learned from. He had a problem during his circumcision that has made me think about this. I will not go into the medical details of my 3rd sons medical problems but the doctors only did half of the circumcision. I have had to consider getting his circumcision finished but it is very painful. My sons medical problems has caused the doctors to recommend surgery. I was told that they prefer surgeries on children I believe 6-9 months old (if I remember the correct age) because younger than that, they have a high risk of not waking up from the anesthesia and after that age, they start feeling more from pain because their nerve endings are starting to develop more and are becoming more sensitive, etc. Also, as infants, they heal a lot quicker and without the complications they would have as a young adult or older. The doctors that I have dealt with in San Diego and Seattle all recommend that age because infants do not feel the pain like older children or adults do.

Personally, I think it is basically a decision for a parent to make at the time the child is born. I was unable to get the surgery done at that age because he was so sick with colds, etc. So now I will not do it and probably never will. He will have to make that decision when he gets older and if it were me, I would not have it done at all because of so much pain.

TO SUM IT UP: The best and only time I would ever recommend a child getting a circumcision is at birth or within the first couple months of birth because of the pain issue, which is very important to me as a parent. So if the parent waits to let the child grow up to make the decision, there probably would be no circumcisions because of the pain issue! A parent has to make that decision because it is what they believe in or do not believe in and they will be raising their child up with their beliefs. Whether or not the child has the same beliefs or not is a different issue.

Answer 3

My own personal stance on the matter is that circumcision is not only wrong, but bordering on barbaric.

I find it quite ironic that most people have no problems what so ever talking about circumcision for infant boys, but are horrified and appalled at the idea of female circumcision. It's just as pointless and needless as male circumcision.

There are a lot of schools of thought that "It's just a baby, it doesn't feel or remember the pain" .. and THAT'S justification? I don't know of a doctor that would give an newborn infant an anesthetic. Yes, the baby usually goes to sleep right after the circumcision is performed, but it's being shown now that is a defense reaction to excrutiating pain.

I think if you asked a man today if he'd willingly have a circumcision, he'd think you were nuts and give you some kind of "HE.LL NO!" answer.. so what makes people think that as babies, there would be any different answer?

Answer 4

Circumcision is a highly religious practice. Health is an excuse used to support that. With a moderate amount of hygiene, a man doesn't have a problem keeping clean.

Circumcision gained popularity in the past 100 years in the USA as a preventative measure for masturbation. We all know that experiment has failed. Stop the madness!

Answer 5

HOW CAN YOU EVEN CONSIDER IT MIGHT BE WRONG???

Circumcision is totally right and totally beneficial.

Be less emotional and more rational: Stick to to facts!

My advice: ignore the radicals and fundamentalists; these people are against simply because they are not happy with *their* circumcision, they certainly need help (I hope your not one of them).

I have four sons, all of them circumcised, none had ANY problem. I was there when the doctor did the procedure, and they were perfectly fine. Just a little normal crying at the beginning and then they relaxed as the doctor worked. They were peacefully sleeping by the time he finished. A week after the procedure their penises were completely healed and they were happy and joyful.

CIRCUMCISION IS PAINLESS, EASY AND VIRTUALLY NO-RISK.

I never had any doubt that I would have all my sons circumcised too, even after some people *tried* to convince my of their catastrophist and surrealistic theories against it.

Most women prefer a man with a circumcised penis because it may move inside them in a less friction-based manner. Once he is inside the vagina, the unhooded penis may easily slide up and down to create pleasure for both partners.

There are several advantages for circumcised men when it comes to sexuality. First is that circumcised male have no need to worry about daily cleansing of his foreskin. Meanwhile, men with an intact foreskin must take special care to move it up and down and clean it inside its covered areas to avoid odors or serious infection because of material buildup. Consequently, there might be some bacteria and germs that could surface thus affect their sexual health.

Safe sex is an added concern for uncircumcised men and their partners. Men with foreskins occasionally have difficulty finding the right condom or keeping one on during penetrative sexual activity. That spells trouble in bed as well as generates unneeded anxiety.


It’s just SO MUCH BETTER

Answer 6

God does not require circumsition for you to be saved. As many ceremonial laws that identified the nation of god it became irrelevant once Jesus died for us and the message was spread over the world.

I don't think its a good idea to have it done as an adult unless you are getting constant infections and ypur doctor recommends it.

As a baby however it could be a healthy desicion. Not only for cleanliness but also for sense of identity if the Father is also circumsized. Otherwise he might feel uncomfortable for the way his penis look. No biggie however. The procedure is pretty safe and non-invassive.

As for the loss of sensitivity, how could anyone tell? As long as you can reach an orgasm I dont think there is any damage.

I think its not such an important issue and a matter of personal preference.

Answer 7

How would you know the foreskin increases sensitivity? I am female Atheist so I have no opinion from a religious point of view. However an uncircumcised penis is much more pleasurable for me to manipulate thank you. xx

Answer 8

Here is further information for everyone:
Circumcision Video
http://www.circumcisionquotes.com/video.html

NOCIRC~National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers
http://www.nocirc.org/

Article~Position Statement: The Effects of Circumcision on Breastfeeding
http://www.nocirc.org/statements/bre...ement2002.html

NOHARMM
http://www.noharmm.org/home.htm

NORM~The National Organization of Restoring Men
http://www.norm.org/

Circumcision Information and Resource Pages
http://www.cirp.org/

Article~Circumcision and Urinary Tract Infection
http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/UTI/

Doctors Opposing Circumcision-Tons of Links!
http://faculty.washington.edu/gcd/DOC/

Mothers Against Circumcision
http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/index.html

In Memory of the Sexually Mutilated Child
http://sexuallymutilatedchild.org/

INTACT
http://www.intact.ca/index.html

Intactivism
http://circumstitions.com/

ARC~Attorneys for the Rights of the Child
http://www.arclaw.org/

Articles by Vincent Bach
http://www.stopcirc.com/vincent/index.html

everything you wanted to know about circumcision but were afraid to ask
http://www.stopcirc.com/index.html

Answer 9

I left my son intact, as intended. It is a lot easier to remove the forskin rather than try to grow it back and wanted my son to make the choice himself. He was also very sick in the days following his birth and the doctors actually suggested that I not put him through any more trauma. I am content with leaving the decision up to him.
You women who say it's disgusting....some countries require a women to be circumcised at birth (yes..the removal of the clitioris) in order to prevent sexual promescuity. Circumcision on males is just as barbaric.

Answer 10

Well God said for it to be done. So, no it is not wrong. Especially since you are an infant when you get circumcised. Because, you wouldn't remember it or the pain. If you had been circumcised you wouldn't of minded it. I know that because every guy I know has been and they aren't disturbed from it. But if you were to be curcumcised at an age that you would remember at than anyone would probably be at least a little bit disturbed by it.