Is castrating young boys ethical?

[Violet]

I like you too. And bananas.

I hate bananas, they are evil.

I totally agree with you. I'm just saying, that for the most part, prepubescent boys aren't usually equipped to deal with a decision like that. Especially when it comes down to something as arbitrary as making sounds come out of his body, although believe me- I know how tough and beautiful it is. However it is not a decision relevant to his day and age, being that there isn't a call for that sort of art because the art form the OP highlighted is outdated, and would likely not bring the money that it used to. Add to that, castration is rarely a solution for physical health any longer.

Actually, there is a 'recent' resurgence of opera and falsetto, so if there's an environment for a talented castrato to go for: it's this one. Not to forget how the advertising of today functions.

It's not relevant to the same people today as it was centuries ago, these days it would likely be a rich person's child to undergo such (at the behest of the parents, usually). It's probably not ethical today, but that could change depending on who you ask.

I agree with you; some kids are capable of deciding for themselves, but largely, IMO, the castration of prepubescent boys is unethical. Preteens and teens aren't exactly known for making the best decisions.

And adults are? I dunno, I've gotten past the 'magical age line of legal adulthood'... many of my friends have too: I'm still making bad choices, they're getting pregnant, ONE OF THEM HAS BEEN MARRIED, DIVORCED, AND MARRIED AGAIN!

And those who were in 6th grade when I was in kindergarden are still making bad decisions. My 55ish year old parents are still making bad decisions. 4 of my brothers and sisters are 10+ years older than me, and I've gotten to watch them make bad decisions their whole lives, and they continue to make them in their thirties. Even my 90-something grandmother is making mistakes.

... Point being: People will never stop making mistakes. Teenagers, preteens, children, young adults, middle adults, old adults, middle-aged, elderly, senile, ancient.... it doesn't bloody matter how old they are. Mistakes are humankind's bread and butter, and were it any other way: our lives would be hilariously boring.

---

Wait, TEGH, a singing career is not guaranteed. Believe me, I know. Your argument assumes it is, though.

Perhaps, then.... the argument could be instead about the journey. Certainly, some of us apply such to religion... and as an example in some older Mesopotamian religions: bloodletting.

[rexbeccarox]

Again, I agree, but in this example, we're talking about castration for musical talent. As you say, there is a resurgence in interest in classical music. But a singing career is absolutely not guaranteed. I've been taking music since I was three. I learned to read music before I have conscious memory (so, it's almost like it's inherent) and came up through college with three degrees in music. I'm fairly talented, but I simply don't have what it takes to be a professional musician, which I didn't know until I was done with school. So my answer that it's unethical is based on the question: Is it worth a life-altering surgery for something so hard to achieve as a singing career? And this is a singing career in general, let alone one based on antiquated trends? I also hypothesize that people wouldn't be so quick to jump on a trend based on a gruesome novelty, which, in my hypothesis, it would be if castration for a singing career were to resurface.

[Violet]

I don't say it is guaranteed, nothing in life is except death.

Under the same reasoning you state above: what is the purpose in *doing any activity* with a goal in mind? If it is not for the journey and the experience and for growth or advancement as a person: what then? If we did not strive for that which we cannot today achieve, scramble for the uncertainty... then why are we born into a world where nothing is true and everything is permitted?

Novelty sells, regardless of its source

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

Wait, TEGH, a singing career is not guaranteed. Believe me, I know. Your argument assumes it is, though.

Hardly anything can be absolutely garrenteed. But it seems reasonable to me to say that the chances of a career would go up when we live in an era of performance where authenticity sells better than what sounds "good."



For instance, just in the past few years trumpet players are starting to move to completely natural trumpets instead of the pseudo natural trumpets that have anachronistic vent holes which is what period groups have been using for the past 40 years. Many would say it sounds worse but that doesn't matter because objective of this field is to recreate the past warts and all.


Being the only castrato or one of the few castrati on earth would certainly boost your career opportunities today.

[rexbeccarox]

Well, I really don't have much more to say on this. I think we're gonna have to agree to disagree on this subject... and bananas :p

[Violet]

Well, I really don't have much more to say on this. I think we're gonna have to agree to disagree on this subject... and bananas :p

I'll never just disagree with bananas... I will not stop until I have dominated them, exterminated them, and eradicated all trace of their prior existence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4SsMtmcf4w

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

Is it safe to eat a banana without a condom? I haven't really been able to eat bananas because the condom taste awful and is hard to chew.

[Violet]

Is it safe to eat a banana without a condom? I haven't really been able to eat bananas because the condom taste awful and is hard to chew.

Think about it... if you ate the banana.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCm_srXvB0c

Be thankful for condoms... condoms save lives. They are true superheros.

[Zone]

It can't have been, if we have stopped doing it.

[Violet]

It can't have been, if we have stopped doing it.

Murder, rape, theft, and general douchery must be ethical, since we haven't stopped doing it.