Poll: Circumcision - What is your opinion?

[Dwarfman]

CONS:
- Amputating a person's body parts for no medical reason, and without their consent, is unethical.
- Amputation of any body part may lead to serious complications, including death.

Alright this is really starting to tick me off!

Circumcision DOES NOT INVOLVE AMPUTATION!!!

Seriously people what did you think, my parent fucking did hack my dick off with a fucking cleaver!

There is a small removal of flesh and the rest is pulled back. How do I know. Because I asked my parents who were present when the family GP performed the operation. In my and my brother's case there wasn't even any removal. A small incision was made into the tip of the forskin and then the forskin was pulled back.

- Foreskin typically provides pleasure, and removing it denies a person that pleasure.

A this which a lot of people seem to comment on - not just the poor person I'm quoting - is utter trash. Trust me it all works and all feels just fine.

 

[Ciler]

CONS:
- Amputating a person's body parts for no medical reason, and without their consent, is unethical.
- Amputation of any body part may lead to serious complications, including death.

Alright this is really starting to tick me off!

Circumcision DOES NOT INVOLVE AMPUTATION!!!

Hmm, ok, maybe I picked the wrong word. Replace "Amputation" with "Removal". The points are still valid.

- Foreskin typically provides pleasure, and removing it denies a person that pleasure.

A this which a lot of people seem to comment on - not just the poor person I'm quoting - is utter trash. Trust me it all works and all feels just fine.

I'm sure it all works and feels fine. That wasn't my point. Body part X provides pleasure in conjuction with body part Y. If body part Y is gone, you still get pleasure from body part X, but you don't get the pleasure that Y provided.

Here is an example: Your mouth would "work and feel fine" if you had no taste buds. Food would even have some taste, since much of tasting is actually based on smell. If you had the surface of your tongue removed when you were an infant, you'd likely argue that there's nothing wrong with that procedure because you can still taste your food. My point in this example is: why deny someone the full range of taste? (Similarly in the case of circumcision: why deny them the full range of pleasure?)

 

[Sporky111]

I'm very strongly against it. As far as I'm concerned it's unneccessary and irreversible and should not be done to a child. Period. I was circumcised, I hate it and wish I hadn't been. Oh, but guess what? I can't change it because my parents didn't think I'd need part of my body.

This really, really bothers me. A child can't consent to surgery, especially not an infant. At least Jewish folks have a decent reason for it. Anyone else it's just laziness. It might be cleaner, but they could also teach their kid proper hygeine along with brushing their teeth and washing behind the ears. It might prevent phimosis, but then you might as well remove their tonsils and appendix at birth as well to eliminate risk of the associated diseases, right?

The big problem I have is when people throw around the "Fact" that there is a loss of pleasure with a circumcised penis.....how the hell do they know? Are circumcised men incapable of having orgasms? Are they suddenly unwilling to have sex because it doesn't feel good?

HELL NO. It's just a myth anti-circumcision people throw around.

It's actually not a myth. There are nerve bundles all through your penis (just like your whole body, obviously) but the most sensitive of them are in the foreskin. And also, during intercourse or masturbation the foreskin can move on and off the glans, increasing pleasure.

And then there's the risks associated with any surgery. The risk of mistake on the part of the doctor, and causing irreparable damage. Risk of infection. Every year at least one child dies due to complications caused by circumcision. I'm not trying to be a bleeding heart for dead babies, but those are the facts.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

Woah woah woah, what is this about a decrease in pleasure after circumcision? Having been circumcised, I wouldn't know anything about having sex with foreskin. Someone please explain this to me.

Anyway, I think it should be up to the person, not his parents.

 

[kjrubberducky]

I think that circumcision is fine the way it is handled now. Additionally, getting it done when young is less risky and heals more quickly than when the person is older.

BONUS DISCUSSION: I find it quite amusing how many people there is that say: "Male circumcision is fine, but Female circumcision is EVUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLL!" I want to ask them a question. Do you believe in equality towards both genders? If yes, shouldn´t male/Female circumcision be just as bad/good as the other?

This is not necessarily true because, even though you call both procedures "circumcision", they are completely different. Would a man get a hysterectomy or a woman get a vasectomy? If circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin from a penis, then it doesn't really apply to women. Although, if a woman DID somehow have a foreskin on her penis, then I would be all for allowing her to get circumcised.

But really, when people talk about "Equality Between the Sexes", they mean social equality, because trying to force biological equality is just silly.

 

[Dwarfman]

I'm sure it all works and feels fine. That wasn't my point. Body part X provides pleasure in conjuction with body part Y. If body part Y is gone, you still get pleasure from body part X, but you don't get the pleasure that Y provided.

Here is an example: Your mouth would "work and feel fine" if you had no taste buds. Food would even have some taste, since much of tasting is actually based on smell. If you had the surface of your tongue removed when you were an infant, you'd likely argue that there's nothing wrong with that procedure because you can still taste your food. My point in this example is: why deny someone the full range of taste? (Similarly in the case of circumcision: why deny them the full range of pleasure?)

At least you make a valid argument and fair enough - unlike some of the morons who are posting on this thread. And you use an analogy that hits me in an interesting place being a chef and a foodie. In my opinion the pleasure of taste outways all others.

I suppose it all comes down to how you rate things. Frankly I consider the 'denial' of some of my 'sexual pleasure of touch' as negliable compared to other pleasures like denying sight, sound or taste (all of which are sexual pleasures as well).

Then again maybe denying men a small measure of sexual pleasure is a good thing. Maybe they'd have to find alternative means to getting that pleasure, like having foreplay with their woman, working on new positions and such?

 

[Nosense]

I'm circumcised and to be honest I don't see why its such a big problem for some people. If the problem is that the decision needs to be made by rational people, wouldn't that fall on the shoulders of the adults (parents)of the child? If he grows up hating them because his penis was circumcised (lol wat?) there are more easier to deal with issues he needs to apply himself to. Just my opinion, but until I read the OP's post I was unaware of female circumcision so I guess the same applies to both genders.

 

[Ciler]

I was circumcised, I hate it and wish I hadn't been. Oh, but guess what? I can't change it because my parents didn't think I'd need part of my body.

Actually, there is a non-surgical method for foreskin restoration. It sounds like a long and arduous process, but I've read that it works, and those that undergo it do appreciate the results. Maybe something to look into...

 

[Sporky111]

I was circumcised, I hate it and wish I hadn't been. Oh, but guess what? I can't change it because my parents didn't think I'd need part of my body.

Actually, there is a non-surgical method for foreskin restoration. It sounds like a long and arduous process, but I've read that it works, and those that undergo it do appreciate the results. Maybe something to look into...

I have looked into it, but you can't replace the nerves that were severed. Maybe with stem cells in ten years or so, but currently it's just stretching skin to promote regrowth. Thanks, though. I appreciate it.

 

[SinisterGehe]

PROS:
Reduces risks of some diseases.

CONS:
More prone to certain diseases.

Umm, you are right and wrong also. Research shows that both conditions reduce and increase the change of disease and infections. Circumcised has greater risk of infection in the inner urinary track, while uncircumcised have risk of skin diseases and infections, but not inner track infections.
Also both have been proven not to have any effect on the subject.
Also uncircumcised penis has greater risk of wear and tear and allergic reaction to cloth and other materials due to the constant exposure to them.

IN my opinion?
It is a cruel religious trait, should be banned from being performed from anyone who is under 18 years old.
It is more of a "Fitting in my child" measure than "Protecting my child" measure, if you want to guarantee that your child is healthy and safe, do not cut anything off him.

Also women/Girls/gals/the other sex/feminine people and some people in gay community. What is wrong with natural penis, the way nature/God/whatever you believe in created it?

If you don't like the fact that I am not circumcised, then go stay away from my penis!

But I am happy also that it is a cultural trait. WE do not have circumcision in Finland, simply because of the fact, we aren't catholic or Jewish country, we are for majority a atheistic or Lutheric. I would estimate that in Finland there is less than 3% circumcised.

In my opinion, ban male and female genital circumcision and let the people think them selfs if they want part of their genital cut off.

 

[WOPR]

PROS:

Easier to clean.
Lasts longer (during sex)
Reduces risks of some diseases.

CONS:

Loss of about 40-50% pleasure during sex.
More prone to certain diseases.

are those pros and cons to being normal, or being snipped?

 

[Cheesezorz]

Pleasure can be measured now?

 

[thecoreyhlltt]

i think i don't have an actual opinion on this. i'm circumcised, and i wouldn't have it any other way. just like someone on this thread said about how in the UK it's rare to see a man with a cirumcised penis. but just as across the pond they think it's gross to get da wedding tackle snipped, we in north asserica (just watched v for vendetta) think it's sick nasty not to get it snipped. but i think waiting till youre "of age" and able to decide for yourself is a bad idea. i guess i'm for the way things are now, if the parents want to follow tradition, or whatever reason, then go for it. idk, i just know i would'nt like the idea of not being circumcised. and as for it supposedly reducing the mans pleasure during sex? i really find that hard to be anything but someones opinion. how could you possibly know unless you had both.

all in all i guess this'll forever just be one of those things we just accept as "what that type of person does"

 

[drwow]

I was circumcised twice, baby and then when I was 18.
it was horrifying to watch, but it's healthy.

 

[Smooth Operator]

The foreskin is there for a reason, protection, just like your eyelids are there to protect the eyes.
The only reason people started to chop it off is because noone bloody washed and their d*cks would eventually rot off.

And choping babies flesh off as a tradition is nothing short of medieval, if adults want to remove them that's fine but leave babies alone.

 

[InfiniteSingularity]

BONUS DISCUSSION: I find it quite amusing how many people there is that say: "Male circumcision is fine, but Female circumcision is EVUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLL!" I want to ask them a question. Do you believe in equality towards both genders? If yes, shouldn´t male/Female circumcision be just as bad/good as the other?

Um...what?

 

[BrionJames]

I don't really see the problem. Circumcised men still enjoy sex, as do uncircumcised men. Women, I'm not really sure if it's a problem but I still think it shouldn't be done...as there's just not much there. So why are we discussing this? Because honestly who gives a tin shit.

 

[Pyode]

Normally I wouldn't get this personal, but I think this is an important issue.

Considering I almost lost my penis when I was circumcised (I was a baby so I don't remember it but I still have a scar), you'd think I would have a massive problem with it but I never did until recently. It wasn't anything I ever really thought about. Getting circumcised was "normal" and the fact that had a complication wasn't a big deal because that can happen with pretty much every medical procedure. Doctors are humans after all.

Then I watched the episode of Penn and Teller: Bullshit on circumcision and I realized just how fucking retarded and useless the operation is and how much pain it causes the babies. Yea, I know they don't remember it but does that really fucking matter? I have a 2 year old nephew right now and I could punch him in the face and he wouldn't remember it later in life. Does that make it OK? Fuck no it doesn't. The fact that the origin is basically entirely religious and for sexual repression doesn't help the issue.

As for the disease resistance... wear a fucking condom people. It's way more effective and has the added bonus of preventing unwanted pregnancy as well.

In short, if you're an adult and for some reason want to do it I say go for it, but to forcibly subject a helpless baby to unnecessary mutilation is just wrong.

 

[sumanoskae]

I personally am all for it. It's easier for cleaning, helps protect against infection and for god's sake it's NORMAL. I've known way too many women who balk at an uncircumcised penis. I don't want my son to go through that. You do it as a baby, there's no memory of the event.

A) Normalcy doesn't automatically equal ethical or healthy

B) You don't have to remember an event for it to effect you.

To your B: I had a circumcision as an infant and no I'm not traumatized. Also, I'm not Jewish.

If I got it now? Then it'd be burned in my mind.

I never said it would outright traumatize you, I said it could.

Also, your subconscious mind is largely out of your perception and control, that's why it called SUBconscious . It's quite possible for something to greatly effected your subconscious mind when you don't even remember it.

If I asked you, why is X your favorite food, why do you like the color X, could you come up with a thorough description of what goes on in your mind when you experienced said thing?

To say that didn't help would be an underrating of epic proportions.

To call it basic psychology would also be an understatement of epic proportions

 

[Kimarous]

How the heck do people know about this supposed pleasure loss? Are they going by people who got circumcised later in life, deliberately doing some kind of before and after sex evaluation test or whatever? Speaking as someone who's been circumcised since infancy, I couldn't tell the difference and I quite frankly don't care. I'm not going to ***** and moan about how some people allegedly enjoy sex more than I do, since it just strikes me as non-circumcised individuals trying to act superior. I'm not interested in your fucking dick-waving competition; I'm fine with what happened and if you can't accept that, then piss off.