Why do Americans still circumcise their children?

2016-08-10T22:53:59-04:00

I'll be honest here. This is one of those topics that get me heated. I've done countless hours of research and I cannot understand why, as a society, we still circumcise our children when arguably it is mainly for cosmetic reasons at a steep price. There are so many myths and misconceptions about foreskin.. If female circumcision is banned, shouldn't male circumcision also be banned? Research..

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 11:33 PM

2016-08-10T23:33:30-04:00

Review this and then let's discuss it.

http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196%2814%2900036-6/abstract

abstract

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 11:37 PM

2016-08-10T23:37:38-04:00

OH jeeeeeze ... don't even get me started on this one... just say no to the intact schmeckle

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 12:06 AM

2016-08-11T00:06:14-04:00

I'd like to explain my views on circumcision.

If you do any serious research into circumcision you will see that it came about for some very horrible reasons back in the times of ancient Egypt. However, it was later introduced into the Americas as a religious practice to curb the "sexually deviant" behavior or young males. It was believed that by removing the foreskin, men would have less interest in sexual relations with women. Today, because of the cosmetic value and misconceptions about hygiene and STDs, circumcision is still common practice, though in slow decline at recently shown by LTC Private RallyPoint Member shared article.

There are many varying opinions and studies based on the benefits and risks of circumcision. However, from any major study I have researched, the difference between a circumcised and uncircumcised male in regards to STDs and hygiene are virtually null. A circumcised male has no more protection or risk than an uncircumcised male when it comes to catching an STD, and both males need to wash their bodies to ensure proper hygiene.

The topic of smegma is often thrown about wildly in debates. Smegma is just dead skin around the genital area. Both men and women experience smegma, regardless of their status. However, a lack of proper hygiene can contribute to a buildup of smegma in both circumcised and uncircumcised males. The difference is that young males often are reluctant or ignorant as the proper ways to wash themselves and an uncircumcised male gets the benefits of water running down an uncovered penis, as to where an uncircumcised male would need to simply retract the foreskin.

The risks of circumcision, in my opinion, are not worth the "benefits". Circumcision is a medical procedure, and though rare, can have complications. Males have had their penis amputated because of infection and other complications or botched surgeries. Another reason I am against circumcision is the fact that the foreskin protects the head of the penis and ensures a male full sexual sensitivity and gratification. A large percent of a males nerve endings are located within the foreskin and after time, without the protection of the foreskin, the head of the penis becomes desensitized leading to "dull" feelings of sexual gratification and E.D.

Several uncircumcised males will have problems retracting their foreskin as they enter into adulthood. The solution to this is to snip the frenulum (the band between the foreskin and the penis), this is an outpatient procedure that lasts less than 5 minutes and has very little risk or pain.

The pain experienced during and after circumcision is intense. However, doctors argue that the child will not remember it so it's of little concern. There are many arguments against that mentality, however I will allow you to research that dark topic of discussion yourself. Doctors will however, strongly advise AGAINST adult age circumcision because of the pain, complications, and regret associated with the procedure. I have received this advice personally.

Also, the foreskin also provides a "rib" during adult sexual intercourse which can provide a sexual partner greater pleasure.

After a lot of research, I have decided my stance is that parents should not have the right to circumcise their children, however a male of legal age should be able to make that decision himself. Parents are essentially subjecting their child to a procedure for no real benefit. Their child will lose sexual sensitivity and experience a "duller" sex life as an adult, the child may lose his penis because of infection or complication, the child will experience a lot of pain during and after the procedure, there is little to no evidence that hygiene is any more of less a factor between the two groups - both groups must wash their private ares regardless, and STDs are no more common in one group than another.

It truly infuriates me that the two main reasons a mother chooses to circumcise her child is because "his father is circumcised and it looks letter." Please look into female circumcision (removal of the clitoris for religious purposes the same time as male circumcision was brought into United States) and how it was banned.

Again, touchy subject, however I want to hear your opinions and discussions.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 11 at 2016 12:16 AM

2016-08-11T00:16:56-04:00

We diverge on this one, PO2. I'm a clean freak and couldn't imagine not being circumcised.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 12:30 AM

2016-08-11T00:30:12-04:00

Primarily because of it being a cultural norm. American Academy of Pediatricians even says that the data supporting it is not very substantial.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 1:40 AM

2016-08-11T01:40:33-04:00

ENS Private RallyPoint Member - Apart from aesthetic, functional, and religious reasons . . . reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases including human papilloma virus related cancers in men and women is reason enough to promote the practice. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision

Circumcision - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Male circumcision is the removal of the foreskin from the human penis.[1][2][3] In the most common procedure, the foreskin is opened, adhesions are removed, and the foreskin is separated from the glans. After that, the circumcision device (if used) is placed, and then the foreskin is cut off. Topical or locally injected anesthesia is occasionally used to reduce pain and physiologic stress.[4] For adults and children, general anesthesia is an...

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 11 at 2016 6:34 AM

2016-08-11T06:34:42-04:00

It's part of religious practices.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Aug 11 at 2016 10:43 AM

2016-08-11T10:43:59-04:00

To each their own. Whatever makes them happy I say.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Aug 11 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-08-11T11:52:59-04:00

Because Americans are often emotion driven morons who utterly disregard science.

Response by SGT Tim Soyars made Aug 11 at 2016 1:48 PM

2016-08-11T13:48:26-04:00

I have seen so many problems, especially in older age, with uncircumsized foreskins. Infections, difficulty in cleanliness, and adhesions. I have had a patient who was unable to void, that had an adhesion and we were unable to cath him. Doc had to open the foreskin with a scalpel. In danger of a ruptured bladder. Do I think they need to do a better job at pain control for kids? Oh yeah! But, let's look at Risks/Benefits.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 19 at 2016 1:47 PM

2016-08-19T13:47:59-04:00

I was circumcised as a baby which I expect influenced my decision to have my sons circumcised ENS Private RallyPoint Member.
I assisted in the delivery of my first natural son at home in Columbus, GA in 1988 when I was stationed at Fort Benning [I have two adopted sons] and we took him to a surgeon to circumcise him on the 7th day. I held this son down while surgeon the circumcised him. It was obviously painful to the infant so I made a mental note not to that again.
I delivered my next son ay a birthing center in Bethesda, Maryland in 1991 when I was assigned to USACAA. We discovered a Jewish rabbi who specializes in the bris procedure. On the 7th day the rabbi came to the house and we had the required items of white towels and a bottle of Manischewitz red wine. We placed the infant on the towel on the kitchen table. We each had a sip of red wine and the rabbi put some on the lips of the infant and then with a flick of his wrist he circumcises him. He had performed over 10,000 bris ceremonies and knew what he was doing.
This same son was thrust into my arms after he died six months later on a Saturday, September 28, 1991. My mind was racing while I was in the shower and God told me "This sickness is not unto death" and I found myself arguing with God telling Him that the child had been hung and wasn't sick. God convinced me to trust Him and I held my son to my chest and praised God and eventually the child coughed a few times and started breathing. I took him to the atheist chiropractor I was seeing for a neck injury on Monday and told him what happened. He thought I was crazy and he examined the son and couldn't find anything wrong with his neck. That son is now 25 years old.
Thanks for mentioning me SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas
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Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 12:45 PM

2016-08-25T12:45:24-04:00

I have two sons, ages 15 years old and 1 month old, neither are circumcised. Not all Americans still circumcise their children.

Response by PO1 Joseph Glennon made Aug 25 at 2016 7:02 PM

2016-08-25T19:02:33-04:00

I'm only going to touch base on the "If female circumcision..." comment - you're being supplied with a lot of views about the practice of actual circumcision.

Female "circumcision" is not like male circumcision. With males, the foreskin is cut back. Female Genital Mutilation doesn't remove the equivalent to the foreskin - the entire clitoris is removed, whether by cutting, burning, chemical ... You're comparing apples to grocery stores.

Response by SFC Peter Cyprian made Aug 25 at 2016 9:08 PM

2016-08-25T21:08:50-04:00

I see that SCPO Joshua A. is so cowardly that he has now blocked any replies to his ridiculous comments. Figures....couldn't back up his words, so block anyone from commenting on them.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Oct 21 at 2016 9:06 PM

2016-10-21T21:06:10-04:00

Female circumcision in America is rare. When practised in third world countries it usually is closer to a mutilation than a medical procedure. Many, many times the procedure results in damage to the clitoris with the end result being an inability to achieve an orgasm.
For male children it is done for health reasons. It is much easier to keep the ring under the head clean. Without circumcision it is much more difficult to clean the ring under the head. And, if the male has a shorter than average penis the skin remains almost motionless inside the vagina and the only friction comes from movement within the foreskin without the normal moisture of a sexually aroused female. Nor nearly as pleasureable.
Done correctly by a surgeon on a male, the head stays completely exposed. With a decent erection there is no excess skin and friction abounds.
In the pervasive American vernacular, the penis is referred to as a "dick" and a correctly performed circumcision produces the "head". Henceforth, the term "Dickhead" comes into play and on individuals like you Petty Officer, ther term gets applied to the person.
Regards!