About the circumcision debate?

Question

people on the side of agreeing with circumcision say that, since he can't remember it, it isn't traumatic. However, what about a woman who is raped while on ecstasy? Oftentimes they don't remember anything, yet could you say they arn't traumatized? Im not going to argue about whether or not it should be done, just want to know your take on this point.

just to help clarify, im not saying it should or shouldn't be done; i have an opinion, but it has no place in this debate. i am just asking how it could not be called traumatic.

Answer 1

Seriously, how could this NOT cause trauma?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6584757516627632617&q=circumcision&hl=en

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Answer 2

There have been studies which show non or lightly anesthetized circumcision can alter an infant's brain chemistry and reduce infant-mother bonding. Your memory stores a lot more than you think, sometimes even when you're unconscious (i.e. your date rape example). Though the girl may not be conscious as it occurs, her mind still stores the information that something traumatic happened to her body on such and such date at such and such time. Generally, you can subconsciously piece together the events of the action even if you consciously block them out.

Infants and small children, for whatever reason, appear to be completely unable to recall events that occur to them after they pass a certain age (usually between 3 and 5). Many appear to not even have subconscious memories of what transpired (for example, many people don't remember getting chicken pox as infants, or teething). Circumcision appears like it will never be remembered consciously or subconsciously by a child or man once he gains the ability to actually remember things. Of course, we can' get inside of everyone's minds; there may very well be someone out there who does remember things that happened to him as an infant. However, it appears from both common knowledge and the vast majority of scientific studies conducted on the fact that there is a difference in traumatic memory when you are an infant versus an adult.

Hope that answers the question.

Answer 3

Sometimes parents say their baby boys "don't even cry" during circumcision. It seems now well established that the reason they don't cry is that they go into shock! Every trauma matters, whether or not you remember it. And some research shows that boys who have been traumatized by circumcision are significantly more prone to certain severe personality disorders.

How can a mother and father welcome their perfect little son into the world by chopping off one of his most sensitive parts and then justify that cruelty by saying he won't remember it? This barbaric custom should be outlawed.

BTW, if a little boy sees no difference between his penis and his father's other than foreskin, he is focusing on a rather minor distinction which very few little boys would notice at all. If an adolescent boy and his father are comparing penises, then something really sick is going on!

Answer 4

Not traumatic later as in your example, most guys don't know they are circumcised until they see someone that is not and start learning about sex and how they are different.

As to whether to mutilate your son, the current trend in the US is only about 50% are circumcised, compared to nearly 100% 20 or 30 years ago when doctors forced it on stupid american citizens. Obviously since over 2 billion men are not circumcised, there is no reason to do it other than for archaic religious rites based on cave man thinking.

Answer 5

Circumcised baby boys are more sensitive to pain 6 months after the surgery.
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1f21e.htm

In addition, one study found it to be very painful.
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9712/23/circumcision.anesthetic/

And it caries many complications/undesired results.
http://forums.govteen.com/showpost.php?p=3069995&postcount=2

People have selective hearing, hence why many people don't know this until it's too late. All other English speaking nations that did this surgery have stopped doing so; the USA is a little slow, but we're going there. In some states the rate is already at 30%.
http://www.cirp.org

Answer 6

It must traumatize men to some extent because a company now makes an artificial foreskin and a few plastic surgeons are doing foreskin restoration. The pain must be excruciating at that young age; of course, some doctors say babies can't feel pain;but, isn't crying a way to express pain?

http://www.strangenewproducts.com/2005/12/artificial-retractable-foreskin.html

Answer 7

My husband and I are dealing with this issue now ( we have a littile on the way), but I feel that any trauma causes some sort of effect. Whether you chose to aknowledge it or not, there is no doubt baby's feel the pain. Consider the social impact as well as health issues. Every culture is different on this. Does it seem easier to explain to your little one why he does or doesn't look like daddy?

Answer 8

Somewhere within our brain is stored every traumatic and painful event of our lives. But unless it's a conscious memory, we feel we don't remember anything about it.

Answer 9

i watched this being done to a new baby in the hospital they tie the arms and legs down there is no numbing of the area and they start cutting and you can watch the baby tremble in shock as i did go watch the videos and i think you will change you mind better yet watch it happen to another child then think twice

Answer 10

if it is going to be done that is the time ask any adult who had it done how wonderful it was and if you are making the decision now look at some video of it being done or pictures of the baby strapped down