Why is society so weird with this?

Question

People openly and completely talk about circumcison on the internet, such as this site. If a question is asked on about whether to circumcise a son, to get circumcised, etc, peole don't think twice about answering. Yet in the "real world" if someone were to ask if they should circumcise their son, or get circumcised for an infection, say, at the bus stop, at school, work, etc, people are likely to give the person a weird look. Unless your boyfriend asks, or a really really close friend, we as society find this topic odd to talk about. You might even find it weird if a close friend were to ask.
So, why is the topic of circumcision so hush-hush in public?
If someone were to ask you about it at a bus stop, school, work, etc, what would your reaction be?

Answer 1

My objection to cutting away parts of a child's genitals while he is too young to be able to consent or object, which greatly destroys sensitivity[1] and is done without medical necessity does not change from the internet to real life.

It is easier for me to object though since I am in a country where we do not mutilate our children's genitals.
A doctor would never approach you in a maternity ward in my hospital and ask you if you want to circumcise you boy just as they wouldn't for a girl. It's simply not done in my country.
I cannot conceive how someone could consider it wise to cut up their children's genitals. A lot of hospitals won't even perform the operation if you want them to in my country [ http://www.cirp.org/news/eirecomnet08-23-03/ ]. It's horrid.

Answer 2

Well, first things first, no one ever really grows up. High school never ends, right? And circumcision has to do with the penis, and when it comes to private parts, people have never grown out of that little, cooped up world of childhood, and act a bit squeamish and weirded out. Plus, it's a strange subject to just bring up. It's not about the whether, it's about an issue in the world. It's like bringing up abortions at a bus stop.
Also, people don't like bringing up opinions to a stranger that might use it against them for some odd reason. Humans are naturally paranoid and don't like sharing opinion, which might solve your answer about websites. We all, in Answer.Yahoo are hiding behind goofy names and avatars, so we don't have a problem flaunting our opinion.
It's all a matter of religion, also. Some people are just like that: hush-hush when it comes to religion (which totally defeats the purpose but STILL... it happens). People are just inward about something and don't want to share their heart, soul, strength, and mind with God and their beliefs with a stranger at the bus stop.
I would give a strange face too if I were presented that in work or what have you.
It also might be the case that people don't even know what a circumcision IS, much less they know their views on it. Believe it or not, SOME (few) are living in the dark about this issue. Or, perhaps, they're embarrassed by it. It's all a matter of audience and perspective.

Answer 3

I love talking about circumcision. People have a lot of views based on religion or health. That's probably why a lot of people won't talk about it in public- it can almost be like asking someone to share their religious beliefs and agree to an open discussion on whether their faith, or someone else's is "better."

Answer 4

The internet is quite anonymous so there is a freedom to talk about subjects that are more taboo in real life. We live in a society where we show off naked women proudly and loudly proclaim our fetishes, but in reality, we are a society of prudes. The topic of circumcision is just one way to prove this.

Answer 5

You dont know who am i and where im from answering this question, right ? people talk about anything and everything here just because, they think no one will come to know about thier identity.

Yes we are all act weird at times.

Answer 6

My reaction would be much the same as it is in this forum: barring cultural or religious convictions, there's little medical necessity for the procedure.

Answer 7

maybe they are over sensitive over the matter when they are not cercumcise..for me its not a big deal whether you ask it in public or private the main issue in this matter is "is it safe to be cercumcise at an early age or just totaly abolished it"...

Answer 8

just like askin a women "is it that time of the month?". some things people just dont want to talk about

Answer 9

Discussion of controvery is harder to do when face to face. Cyber space anonymity makes it easier.

Answer 10

i think its easier to ask about others opinion on here.society is self conscious.esp about genitals!