Circumcision USA Vs. Netherlands - HUGE DIFFERENCE

[@elemteach5433]

My Canadian doctor strongly discouraged it. She also suggested that parents should be forced to watch the procedure. Needless to say, our boys are still intact.

[@MB-hc4zo]

As a Dutch person I never even understood why you would do this, even for religious reasons… if you are created in gods image and god intended for you to have foreskin, then why cut it off? Also I think anyone should have the right to make their own decisions about their body even babies. They do not get a say in it and especially if it’s to make it look “prettier” which lets be honest is just an opinion on what you consider the norm. I prefer how an uncircumcised penis looks

[@hunchbackaudio]

My goal is to leave this world with all the bits and pieces I came with. So I’m glad my parents didn’t mutulate me because the cornflake’s man thought that to be a good idea.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

In the Netherlands hurting children without good reason is a crime, that is why.

[@edwardma-6559]

In the Netherlands and all over the world!!!

[@Nitzpitz]

Circumcision in boys is not a crime in The Netherlands

[@edwardma-6559]

@@Nitzpitz It is not a crime in the Netherlands or anywhere in the world because they are boys, they are not girls.

[@Nitzpitz]

@@edwardma-6559 no, because it is a very old body modification that is by far less harmful than female genital mutilation. The function is being changed, but not taken away. It has been done on a large part of the male population and also has some minor benefits. I agree with there needing to be a discussion on the topic, but making something into a crime rarely helps in long routed traditions.

[@edwardma-6559]

@@Nitzpitz Removing a healthy, functional, important and beneficial part of the body is mutilation. And forced and unnecessary circumcision, whether for religious reasons or not, to minors who cannot consent or decide is gnital mutilation.

[@har3036]

In The Netherlands, circumcision is mostly restricted to the Jewish and Muslim communities. People not belonging to these groups don't see a rational reason to cut away foreskins. I guess it's a nice money-maker for the medical community. Some fear-mongering and concerned parents will gladly pay the $ 800 it seems to cost. In my experience, the necessity of circumcision was never mentioned by any medical professional. It's shocking that this practice is so wide-spread in the US, but with a nice bounty on foreskins and a purely profit-driven health-care system this is only to be expected.

[@edwardma-6559]

We must know that circumcision for religious reasons to minors who cannot consent or decide is a terrible, cruel and unnecessary gnital mutilation.

[@deathscythehellfunk]

@@edwardma-6559 Then again, forcing religion on minors who cannot consent is a terrible, cruel and unnecessary mental mutilation.

[@edwardma-6559]

@@deathscythehellfunk No, mental Mutilation no. Gnital Mutilation.

[@fritnat]

Naturally people who don't belonging to these groups don't see a rational reason, as in all other harmful cultural practices. The real question is why they tolerate it when it comes to boys, afterall they don't when it comes to girls.

[@har3036]

@@fritnat It's ok to do some crazy stuff if you're religious because then it's based on belief. So religious homophobia is ok because it's mentioned in some 'holy' book, but as a non-believer you could get into trouble.

[@bertkassing8541]

I'm Dutch and think it's just a crazy hassle such a circumcision. So my slogan for today is "Don't be silly and take your hands off from my Willy".

[@fritnat]

Yep, but you're lucky enough to be protected by the law, perhaps you could spare a thought to those who can't get the words of your slogan out but scream their lungs out so nobody can be in any doubt as to them expressing the same thought, and who have nobody offering them protection? Perhaps your thoughts could even become actions as in casting your vote in their favour?

[@bertkassing8541]

@@fritnat Hmmmm, interesting. Well, we Dutch have a saying that can be applied to everything. I'll tell you what that is in a minute. But the point is that you just think normal. We'll say you use your common sense. What is the use of mutating a body by destroying something that you received with all the love from Our Lord. Then we say: Act normal! Then you are crazy enough!

[@fritnat]

@@bertkassing8541 I am an activist against this practice and my analysis is that there are majorities in all western countries apart from USA and Israel, which are firmly against the practice in all its forms as far as children are concerned. Why then is it not banned on boys in any country, especially as most have specific bans when it comes to girls? The answer is that the feminist narrative that it is far worse for girls has succeeded in convincing most people that it is not a serious matter, not one worth considering when it comes to the ballot box. Therefore in order to succeed, that false narrative has to be deconstructed. I think it is normal to regard boys and girls as having equal rights so yes I am crazy enough to act as if that is common sense. Now will you act normal yourself and only give your vote to a candidate who will support giving boys the same protection as girls enjoy?

[@ThW5]

@@bertkassing8541 Sure the problem is : Just act normal, good idea, but what's "normal"? Our ideas about that may, and do, differ a lot around the world, i mean sayng "Ik heb ze gekust" to indicate having kissed a single female is not "normal" in northern Dutch, but it is normal in southern Dutch.

[@bertkassing8541]

@@ThW5 You are right when you say "Ik heb ze gekust" here (Amsterdam area). Then you get the question: Wie heb je allemaal gekust dan? :-) But of course you understand what I mean, I think. We here also look a bit strange at the carnival in the south. When you celebrate that here it's always a little strange. I don't like it at all :-) But in general, Dutch people all over the country think the same.

[@Dutch-Power-Cow]

Circumcision is weird, it's not 1800 anymore. The USA is living in the past..

[@GG-mi1hz]

I had my son in the States and opposed to make my infant baby boy to be circumsized. I'm glad I did enough research to know better to protect my son and his body.

[@erikmulder2574]

Circumsition is done in the Netherlands when there is a medical indication, for example when the foreskin is too tight and hurts. And for some religious groups as well. However without a medical indication i would have to pay for it myself as there is absolutely no need to do this. It is seen as a cosmetic treatment in most cases. So the question should not be why don’t the Dutch circumcise, it should be why would the Americans alter their body without a medical need?

[@fritnat]

Well that could happen when parents believe the hygiene myth put about by religious groups to bodyshame the normal male anatomy, and force retraction, but amputation is still a last drastic resort. Its not normal to amputate the tip of the nose after someone has pinched it and its swollen and hurts. No, the real question is why hasn't Holland given the same legal protection to boys that girls enjoy? If only Americans did just alter their body without medical need and not force it in their neonatal boys.

[@RH-ro3sg]

I think it's rather the US that is the exception as far as western countries go. Only in the UK the percentage of circumsized boys is up to a modest 20% but on the continent it's much lower than that. It's never really been a thing here, except for people of Jewish (and possibly other Middle Eastern cultural) descent, or on medical indication, but those medical cases are (relatively) rare. I see no appreciable benefit of it if there's no medical indication. It's really not hard to keep it clean with foreskin, certainly not with modern conveniences such as showers.

[@fritnat]

I think you have that figure of 20% from the circumcision fanatic Brian Morris, the usually cited figure is less than half that for all males, presumably much lower for boys. The often mentioned hygiene/cleanliness aspect is merely a bodyshaming tactic employed by cutting communities to enforce it's norm. It serves to put off finding partners outside of the community as well as reining in any non comformists or rebelious victims. It should not be entertained in any seriousness but shamed and ridiculed, having as much to do with cleanliness as ethnic cleansing does. Noe that when the Jews were wandering for four decades in the desert with challenging resources for keeping clean, they gave up their sacred practice.

[@fritnat]

YT is censoring my comments, bear with me:

[@fritnat]

I think you have that figure of 20% from the circumcision fanatic Brian Morris, the usually cited figure is less than half that for all males, presumably much lower for boys. ...

[@fritnat]

I think you have that figure of 20% from the circumcision fanatic Brian Morris, the ...

[@fritnat]

... usually cited figure is less than half that for all males, presumably much lower for boys. ...

[@emmam3819]

In medical school we were taught the official opinion of the KNMG, Koninklijk Nederlands Medisch Genootschap, (Royal Dutch Medical Association) is that the benefits do not outweigh the risks and that circumcision for non-medical reasons should be discouraged, as it is a violation of the child's bodily integrity. However, I think most doctors do respect it when people choose it for religious reasons.

[@fritnat]

All child circumcision or just when the child is a boy?

[@emmam3819]

Only boy circumcision is considered unpreferable buy acceptable for religious reasons. Female genital mutilation (girl circumcision) is illegal in the Netherlands (even when performed outside of the country) and there are systems in place to prevent this as much as possible.

[@fritnat]

@@emmam3819 Has this changed since 2013 when a report mentioned labiaplasty being performed on adolescent girls?

[@mickeydejong8950]

@@fritnat labiaplasty is an entirely different thing and has nothing to do with circumcision!

[@fritnat]

@@mickeydejong8950 Labiaplasty if a form of female circumcision. Female circumcision otherwise termed FGM is any non medical injury to the female genitals.

[@nfboogaard]

Now I understand why in US entertainment media hand lotion is always associated with "self abuse" (or vice versa)... You really need it if you don't have foreskin... Honestly never realised that.

[@aroblucky]

learned something again.🤣

[@threewiseman1]

Can confirm. (This is my husband's account). He's Australian, and circumcision is common here too. We always use lotion or lube when doing...that sort of activity, ha! I'm from England, so it was a bit of a surprise when I found out he was, and had to learn the ropes! But I honestly prefer circumcised now. Don't think I could go back, lol.

[@anouk6644]

@@threewiseman1 Do you prefer the circumcision or is it the lube? 😉 Just kidding. For me it’s the other way around… my ex-husband was circumcised (for medical reasons). Now that I’m dating again I prefer them with the foreskin intact, both esthetically and, more importantly, sensitivity wise.

[@threewiseman1]

@@anouk6644 Ha ha! Can I say both? I had some bad experiences with uncut guys in the past - some hygiene problems 😬 (of course I didn't know any different at the time). But yeah, I also prefer the look of them circumcised, if I'm totally honest. Different strokes! Pardon the pun, lol. Now I just have to explain to hubby how I hijacked his KZbin account to tell the world about his penis. Didn't set out to do it, but here we are. 🤣

[@anouk6644]

@@threewiseman1 😂😂😂😂 I bet if you tell him you prefer the look of his penis and if he’ll show it to you, you’re good 😉😂 I think the preference in part comes down to the experiences we’ve had with them 😊

[@bobhoogenboom4084]

Just follow the money.

[@jKLa]

The 55% rate for US newborns is just reported hospital procedures. Circumcision isn't statistically reported by all hospitals and many procedures are office procedures. Parental survey data still shows infant circumcision rates of 70% or higher in the US today.

[@edwardma-6559]

Infant circumcision of babies and children who cannot consent or decide is a terrible, cruel and unnecessary gnital mutilation that must be denounced, prohibited and punished.

[@raydaley1535]

The reason that Circumcision is recommended you pay the Doctor it's the same when you are having a baby you see a Doctor not a midwife it cost more.

[@krrbas]

Isn't circumcision unnatural to do?

[@edwardma-6559]

Yes, it is unnatural and a terrible, horrible and cruel gnital mutilation when it is performed on babies and young children who cannot consent or decide and unfortunately thousands of babies and young children are subjected daily throughout the world to this cruel and barbaric practice that It only has negative consequences.

[@Schokland2007]

Yes.

[@jKLa]

It was Harvey Kellogg among others who really promoted it beginning in the 1870's. By 1900 the US circumcision rate was approaching 20% and it had become a majority practice by the 1930's. Notably Kellogg also recommended his breakfast cereals to "prevent" masterbation! 🙄

[@sb3424]

You're a bit off. It became a majority ritual in the 1940s because thats when hospital births became common and because yellen and goldstein and time to sell their mutilation clamp to hospitals.

[@jKLa]

@@sb3424 no, I'm not off as hospital birth was quite common if not normative before that and the procedure was done not just in hospitals but in doctors offices, as is also common today. It actually became a majority practice during the depression but only became overwhelming during the war.

[@resi3794]

The only man i know who have that are man who got it for medical reasons when they were realy yongh. There is no good reason to do this other dan medical issue or faith. I think it is a money maker in the US.

[@FacelessJanus]

If it is not for religious purpose it is Esthetic surgery. Pretty much the same as breast enlargement surgery. So why should anyone in their right mind, consider this a justified practice ???

[@anouk6644]

Esthetically I would prefer a non circumcised one, but that might be influenced by what is the norm here.

[@Nitzpitz]

Why do people want earrings on new borns? 🤷🏻‍♀️ circumcision is a very old practice and important in sone religions.

[@anouk6644]

@@Nitzpitz Putting earrings on newborns is an old practice in some cultures too, which I don’t understand either. But being an old practice doesn’t legitimize the tradition in both cases. Some traditions change with new knowledge and beliefs. Look at the steps taken to reduce girl circumcision… it’s cruel, doesn’t serve any function, can be harmful or at least change the experience in a negative way. Why should it continue, even for boys? If god created men, why do people think they need to alter the human body to fit a religion. It’s a practice created by men, not a demand from god.

[@fritnat]

​@@anouk6644 There is no essential difference between these practices on either gender so it shouldn't be "even boys". It's not really about religion, its about branding the new generation as belonging to the community and parents showing an acceptance that it is the community who owns their children and not them, essentially a sacrifice. We have no real way of knowing the role of men as distinct from the role of women in the adoption of the practice. It seems likely though that it was men in the case of boys and women in the case of girls. What we should really be asking is why are we tolerating this practice?

[@anouk6644]

@@fritnat I mostly agree with you. The circumcision of boys still is more socially accepted than that of girls, because the physical consequences are less severe for them in general. That’s why I wrote ‘even boys’ because I object to both practices. Those consequences for girls depend on the type of procedure. There are those where not just the skin is removed, but I won’t go into detail here. With men I ment mankind/people, not just males. Women are just as guilty of performing these mutilations.

[@sharky3688]

Circumcision for non-religious practices is only done for medical reasons in the Netherlands.

[@fritnat]

How is that controlled?

[@Nitzpitz]

@@fritnat with doctors

[@Nitzpitz]

@@fritnat non-medical reasons are also permitted. There are places to have it done. I know of at least one Dutch (no jew or muslim) who is circumcised witgout medical reason. Frankly, his mum is a pediatritian and wanted it for her son.

[@fritnat]

@@Nitzpitz How do doctors determine what the parents are thinking?

[@Nitzpitz]

@@fritnat they don’t have to. They can have a good conversation on the topic. It is up to the parents. There is no restriction legally, but it is not payed for by the insurance, so out-of-pocket.

[@arjanpetersen]

Circumstances is just awful. Luckily we hardly do it anymore here. Unless there is a real medical condition

[@mickeydejong8950]

I am certainly not an advocate for circumcision: my husband and my sons have not had it done and they (and their partners) are perfectly healthy. I think it is just as bad as female circumcision.

[@Schokland2007]

Excellent video.

[@nonexistingvoid]

When my son was born, we decided to let him choose for himself, as we didn't want to risk an infection from surgery (which is more likely than people seem to think) In the end, he didn't get to choose. We didn't force him, but because of medical reasons, he had to have his foreskin removed when he was around 11 years old. Sometimes, we just have bad luck with our health. I still don't regret not having him circumcised as a baby. Most children never need it. And there are other ways to treat most ailments related to the foreskin. Since surgery brings risks, doctors will advise to try alternatives first. After all, why cut into a healthy body to remove a useful part of the body? That would simply be cosmetic surgery. And most countries are against cosmetic surgery on children, especially newborns. But it seems the only exceptions are genital mutilation of babies with penises and intersex babies.

[@fritnat]

What was the medical reason?

[@nonexistingvoid]

@@fritnat I will not disclose this

[@fritnat]

@@nonexistingvoid Ok, how about what you believe to be the possible medical reasons?

[@nonexistingvoid]

@@fritnat why would you need to know a child's medical history? If you're worried, go to a urologist, not a stranger on the internet.

[@fritnat]

@@nonexistingvoid Why would you think I need to know a child's medical history? I asked you for what you believe to be the possible medical reasons, that is not a reason for you to think I am worried. Your response is telling. Is there a history of cutting in your family? Was there a good chance the urologist you consulted was cut or came from a cutting community?

[@antiqueinsider]

I think that European countries circumcise 20% of boys! So this is actually a specific culture of the US (and jewish countries). IMHO It CAN be helpful if the natural forseskin is too tight, and sufferers from this condition tend to be the pro-circumcision lobbyists. For the vast majority of men, the benefit of additional skin is additional sensitivity, and this is often noted by those who are circumcised late in life. Personally (uncircumcised) I have seen at least 10 K organs 'in action' and consider that only medically indicated circumcision can be supported. OK, a poor decision may be a bit more traumatic to fix in later life. (takes a couple of weeks to recover from this 'minor surgery'). But the right to control your own body, even as a child (to adapt to its shortcomings, and benefit from it's potentials) is more sacrosanct than the considerations of an ADULT human being! Leave the kids alone!! They can exercise choice when they are adults if they wish!

[@doosenco]

If the foreskin is too tight the urologist cuts into the foreskin, which is then closed with a number of dissolvable stitches. These stitches usually dissolve after two weeks and do not need to be removed. Even then circumcision is not the solution. ;-)

[@antiqueinsider]

@@doosenco My comments were more to reflect older guys who did not get this procedure as babies. Happy to hear it's changed! (An American friend who had this problem was definitely given a circumcision as the 'solution')

[@fritnat]

That's an impressive number you've seen "in action"! The 20% figure I think comes from the cutting fanatic Brian Morris for UK, the real one is likely less than half of that, and for Europe much lower still. Basically it is only among the Muslim and Jewish community that it is practiced although the greatest number of "medical" circumcisions are also essentially ritual. It is less traumatic later in life for many reasons, it is just that it is easier to force it on a helpless baby as they cannot complain effectively. Absolutely leave the kids alone however the real solution is for the state to live up to its duty to protect its most vulnerable citizens.

[@jKLa]

It's more like less then 10% in Europe I believe, mainly Muslim or Jewish religion or actual medical need for some.

[@fritnat]

@@jKLa Jews and Muslims are around 7% in Europe but I think most Jews have stopped practicing it. Then there's some African immigrants who still practice it particularly Nigerians. Genuine medical cases for boys are pretty much non existant but some will have had the misfortune to have had a Jewish/Muslim/African doctor who is cut and only considers the most radical treatment. All in all I think its less than 10%, more like 7%.

[@mickeydejong8950]

one correction: when girls are "circumcised" they not only remove the skin, but also the klitoris (which is the equivalent of the glans), so there is nothing left. So you can't really compare the practices. But I believe god/nature gave you these bodyparts for a reason and you should not tamper with them, unless it is absolutely neccessary!

[@edwardma-6559]

The foreskin is just as necessary and important as the clitoris because the foreskin has many important and beneficial sexual and protective functions. It also has thousands of nerve endings, veins, and blood vessels.

[@fritnat]

Not sure what you are correcting but when girls are circumcised they have an injury inflicted on their genitals, typically superficial or at least such that any modification is within the normal variation. The "klitoris" is not the equivalent of the glans, that would be more the cervix. I assume by the "klitoris" the glans clitoris, in which case it is a skin structure, just as the male prepuce is a skin structure, so your argument doesn't hold.

[@Maxbiggy]

That's not true at all. FGM means any mutilation of the female genitals regardless of the severity, including the commonly done pin prick which only draws blood. There are a number of varieties including this one that are less significant than male circumcision which removes a huge piece of tissue compared to the external vagina. It's not fair to claim that FGM is inherently worse than male circumcision because theres no reason why taking a knife to a girl is inherently worse than doing it to a boy.

[@edwardma-6559]

@@Maxbiggy The male foreskin is just as important and necessary as any other part of the male and female gnitalia.

[@fritnat]

@@Maxbiggy I agree but you are actually making a value judgement along those lines when you use the terms "FGM" and "circumcision" in this way. The term "FGM" was specifically coined by a women who almost certainly had her own children circumcised, to make a sharp distinction between what she considered was a barbaric African tradition and her own "civilised" one. These days simply mentioning the practice on boys when speaking about that on girls, is taboo and likely to get one labelled a misogynist, pedophile, mutilator etc.

[@hridoydas9707]

Circumcision destroy sex pleasure and sensitivity because foreskin has thousand of nerve ending tissue. Do not circumcision because of irritation, infection and urinary tract infection, phimosis and paraphimosis, HIV and STDs. Any penis infection, irritation and urinary tract infection solve by medicine. Clean penis during bath, after urination and after sex to prevent the risk of penis problem. Phimosis is not a disease to be worry about. Paraphimosis may go away on its own or solve by pressure the swelling foreskin and pulling it forward. Condom prevent HIV and STDs. Doctor may suggest circumcision because of bloody money. Circumcised men regrow or restore their foreskin by skin tension or restoration device like TLC Tugger.

[@ThW5]

Sorry Fiona, that it became a bit of a mess in the reactions... I mean all you brought up was the difference in the non-religious male circ rates between two of the original NATO countries, that's no reason to start a discussion about ethics, religion and the whole Monty Python's Flying Circus. Sorry... I mean, it's why jokes like "his trousers were so thin/tight that I could guess his original religion..." work in Europe.

[@markedwards9247]

Male circumcision is medically recorded in Europe. Here are the stats (which might amaze Americans). Amongst males who are neither Jewish, or Muslim, the infant circumcision rate in Europe is slightly above 1%. And is almost always performed because of clinical necessity. Circumcision here is absolutely the domain of Jewish or Islamic religious culture. The American argument is insane to us. Would you allow a tonsilectomy on your new born baby? You are using the same arguments. However, tonsilitus is over 100 times more common than penis problems. Generally, the Caucasian European mindset is that parents have been blessed with a beautiful new baby. Why would the first thing you do is to mutilate it? A foreskin is natural, a circumcised penis is unnatural. Fact. So, if you are religious, or not, it does not make sense. On the Christian side, God created us - did he make a mistake giving us a foreskin? On the athiest side, a foreskin is the product of millions of years of evolution. Do we know better? And guess what? In Europe we are not struggling with medical issues because of non circumcision. In fact, penile and dysfunction issues are way higher in the USA.

[@jannetteberends8730]

Once there also was a theory that it prevented cervical cancer. Also not true we know now. I knew about the difference between the USA and Europe. It pops up now and then in comedy shows.

[@daluzsoares]

I am always curious what a pregnant woman thinks during her pregnancy, I now know what you think !! the mysterious pregnancy hormone unraveled?

[@elsotto3314]

Never gave it any thought, but I am puzzled why so many men are circumcised in the USA. Only for religion reasons or medical issues doctors will operate.

[@williamgeardener2509]

In the USA health care is a business equal to any other business. In the same way that garages will perform totally unnecessary "repairs" to generate more profit, so will U.S. medics promote unnecessary treatments and operations to increase their profits.

[@fritnat]

@@williamgeardener2509 If that's the case why did the practice on girls stop? Why did routine episiotomies stop?

[@williamgeardener2509]

@@fritnat The practice of female genital mutilation hasn't stopped in the USA. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 513,000 women and girls in the U.S. have experienced or are currently at risk of undergoing this practice. Episiotomies are still performed although not as frequent as 45 years ago. In the U.S., approximately 20 percent of birthing women still undergo an episiotomy.

[@fritnat]

@@williamgeardener2509 These are immigrant women who had it done in their home country not USA, or girls who are judged at risk because of their heritage and being taken back "home" to have it done. Exactly, why the cutback in routine episiotomies if its all business, it must mean a huge loss in revenue.

[@fritnat]

@UC0Iq80NDMoPkKdv9AyYtf6g No reading is not difficult, at least not for me. Women and girls IN THE U.S. does not equate to them having been cut IN THE U.S. Being AT RISK does not equate to being at risk of being cut IN THE U.S. Jaha Dukureh lives in THE U.S. but was cut in THE GAMBIA. Fuambai Ahmadu was living in THE U.S. when she went to SIERRE LEONE to be cut. THE GAMBIA and SIERRE LEONE are not in THE U.S. but are AFRICAN countries.

[@kaydesign]

Because it’s cleaner… it’s the other way around. When you are clean it isn’t necessary 😅

[@edwardma-6559]

Circumcision is not cleaner.

[@darrencoyle2589]

It’s a multi billion dollar business.

[@Nitzpitz]

My boys are only circumcised because of the Jewish tradition, but if I wasn’t Jewish they wouldn’t be. Because my husband is not jewish and not circumcised we did study the subject extensively before making such a decision. The most important thing for me was not to do actual harm or take great risks. The pro’s and cons were sort of even. It was not an easy choice. I was glad our third is a girl 😅 and I didn’t have to make that choice again. Although I also know some men who needed a circumcision for medical reasons, I dislike altering bodies.

[@edwardma-6559]

Circumcision for religious reasons to minors who cannot consent or decide is a terrible, cruel and unnecessary genital mutilation and must be prohibited and rejected because it has no advantages or benefits. The advantages and benefits are in keeping the foreskin intact and the glans always clean and hygienic because the foreskin is the best skin. It has many important and beneficial sexual and protective functions, thousands of nerve endings, veins and blood vessels, so we must keep it intact.

[@edwardma-6559]

The original circumcision was the Brit Milah and it removed only the overhang, not the entire foreskin. Jewish men were restoring their foreskins during the Roman empire so the Rabbis created the Brit Periah in 140 A.D., which is the total removal of the entire foreskin. This is what is done to this day. I realize that circumcision is part of the Jewish religion, but why not wait until the child is old enough to decide if he wants to be Jewish instead of deciding for him? I understand that circumcision is done on the 8th day after birth, but since the King of the Jews (Jesus Christ) did away with circumcision, it should never be forced on anyone ever again. The hyper sensitivity of the glans after circumcision is caused by the fact that the glans comes into direct contact with it's environment rather than being behind the protective sleeve of the foreskin. This sensitivity goes away as the glans thickens, or keratinizes to compensate for the lack of the foreskin. This in turns desensitizes the penis over time. It is true that a man can't get cancer of the foreskin if the entire foreskin has been removed. But removing the foreskin does not protect the rest of the penis. Penile cancer accounts for .37% of all cancers. We don't perform mass mastectomies to prevent breast cancer so leave the penis alone. In summary, the penis belongs to the child, not the parents. No parent has the authority to remove a child's body parts unless there is an actual medical need (such as gangrene or some tissue necrosis). Circumcision is genital mutilation and child abuse.

[@aroblucky]

Well my mother is also of Jewish descent but luckily she didn't circumcised me, thanks mom love you.

[@Nitzpitz]

@@edwardma-6559 well, thank you very much for calling me a child mutilator after I have just explained that it was not an easy decision. I agree that we made a decision for our sons that I would rather have them be able to make themselves. However, in this case there is a big difference in results between a circumcision in infants and adults. It is much easier recovery and less scar tissue with infants. Also no stitches. We chose a traditional mohel for this reason. They are also the most experienced persons to do it. Not doing the circumcision as a jew also has consequences. Doing it as an adult a much bigger deal (I know at least two men who had it done around 30 years old). As for mutilation, it is no more of a mutilation than giving your baby ear rings. I don’t like that either and it is also a sensitive region. Circumcision does not prevent you from enjoying sex or from masturbation. My boys may or may not agree with our decision in the long run. We knew that and made that choice for them even though we had our reservations. It would be better if you treat other peoples decisions with more respect. You may disagree, but watch your words and try to think of other peoples feelings before calling names.

[@edwardma-6559]

@@Nitzpitz What are the consequences of not circumcising as a Jew? Do you know the tradition of Brit Shalom? It is the same as the Brit Mila but without the traumatic and unnecessary process of baby gnital mutilation.

[@albertlay8927]

I don't think circumcision is a topic of interest. You do it or you don't, who cares. Maybe because in the US they eat so much cornflakes, they still believe Kellog's theory. There must be something in the cornflakes.

[@edwardma-6559]

Circumcision matters to me because if it is performed on minors who cannot consent or decide, it is a terrible, cruel and unnecessary gnital mutilation and it should be prohibited and rejected. And every day thousands of babies and young children around the world are mutilated (circumcised). And as you rightly say, nobody cares because it is a form of gnital mutilation that is normalized and accepted because they are boys, not girls.

[@fritnat]

What kind of society doesn't care about babies being mutilated, oh wait, not babies, but boy babies?

[@edwardma-6559]

@@fritnat To world society. The world society accepts in a good way the male gnital mutilation commonly called as circumcision.

[@fritnat]

@@edwardma-6559 Yes, absolutely, and that makes it a truly global issue unlike any other fundamental human rights violation. On a very fundamental level, no society is any better than any other and none can point a finger at another.

[@tic-tacdrin-drinn1505]

The "medical advantage" of circumcision is that doctors get paid extra money to do it.