how do you feel about circumcision?

[tantric]

I'm about finished writing a fantasy RPG setting based on Bantu mythology. I couldn't really talk about the society without touching on circumcision. I left male alone (done at puberty, of course), but changed FGM to 'genital cutting' where the clitoris is nicked with broken glass, just enough to make a spot of blood on a headband. This is actually done is some parts of Africa (and other parts do the full on FGM). I really tried for authenticity, but some things I'm just not going to perpetuate.

[Cyberman]

how do you feel about circumcision?

Why, are you offering to perform one?

I think he was volunteering to get one.

[c172]

Last time this was the topic for a thread, it seemed to go pretty well. Oh, well. For me, I don't look down on the uncut, but somehow I just feel better about knowing I'm cut. Maybe it has to do with some photos I saw during sex ed at the local UU church.

[robvalue]

I think circumcision is child abuse.

I wouldn't think badly of someone who has had it done to them, they are a victim.

[tantric]

I have a very short foreskin, so you can only see it when I'm soft. I actually didn't know I was uncircumcised until I spent the night with a guy who had a thing for foreskins. He pulled it out and said, "Oh, wow, you're uncut.." My instinct was to argue the point, but really - when someone is pleased with your penis, do you disagree with them?

[thesummerqueen]

Last time this was the topic for a thread, it seemed to go pretty well. Oh, well. For me, I don't look down on the uncut, but somehow I just feel better about knowing I'm cut. Maybe it has to do with some photos I saw during sex ed at the local UU church.

I don't understand this. People say that uncut penises look funny. I've been with plenty from both sides, and I hate to tell you penis owners: all penises look funny. I believe one comedienne described it as if "god was trying to tie a bow and got a call in the middle of the process."

All penises look mostly the same - barring size, any fuck-ups from circumcisions, or directional leanings - when erect. That's all that matters.

Cutting someone in a permanent way without their consent is heinous and should be banned. The only reason people besides the Jews and a smattering of other tribes began doing it had to do with manhood rituals and religious reasons, and the only reason it became "a thing" in the Christian world is because Dr. Kellogg of Kellogg cereal fame encouraged it as a way to stop masturbation. He also had obsessions with enemas, and splashing acid on the genitals of children in order to stop masturbation in both sexes. There are no health benefits which outweigh the possible risks or the consent factor. This isn't like vaccination here where herd immunity is required and vaccinating the child has measurable and near-immunity-from-disease benefits. Circumcising boys doesn't stop UTI's or reduce them that much - it's actually harder for men to get UTI's anyway because the urinary tract is much longer than a woman's. Women get far more - and far more debilitating UTI's, yet no one outside of 3rd world nations is advocating female circumcision. Nor will circumcision give you any real protection against STI's - instead of cutting your boys, give them condoms.

[Tonus]

how do you feel about circumcision?

I'm just glad that it's not a memory that I can access.

[Kitty Galore]

This is an interesting subject for me. I have two sons. The oldest I had at 23, in the early 90's. Neither his father or I knew any better. We went on family past and the fears that had been instilled, about cleanliness. He was circumcised soon after birth in the hospital.

Eight years later, we had our second son. I would have done the same, but my ex husband had been educated, and told me his thoughts. We decided at that time that there was no evidence that it was the best thing, other than cultural norms. (Which is interesting since it became common for parents in my area to stop the practice. I worked in a daycare and found at least he wasn't going to be the only one.) We did not have him circumcised. We decided by leaving him intact, he could make the decision for himself.

[thesummerqueen]

The literature has flipflopped a lot on it, and there has been much misinformation spread around about it - I don't blame people who did it because their doctors told them so. I do sorta blame people who do it for religious reasons. I just wish we could break the habit period.

[Elskidor]

It's a pretty barbaric religious tradition that probably needs to go. If the child really wants to be sliced and diced when he is old enough to make that decision then fine, but it's petty cruel to do this to a innocent baby.

"Baby is born! Oh good, let's mutilate the bastard and drown him in holy water. That'll show the prick. "