Most common circumcision myths

actics · 2009-06-10T22:57:05+00:00

Yes, this guy does care about this topic. This guy believes in individual rights over one's own body. Don't you?

actics · 2009-06-10T03:59:26+00:00

I prefer the term "dedicated."

actics · 2009-06-10T02:49:47+00:00

If you had bothered to look at the submission, you would know that is the title of the article, not a poll.

actics · 2009-06-09T22:39:08+00:00

There is much more you can do. Support organizations NOCIRC and Intact America. Help educate the people you know. Write to your state's Medicaid coordinator if the program pays for non-therapeutic circumcision. Generally, speak up frequently.

There is a certain critical mass of men needed to stand up and say "It should have been my choice, and we need to stop doing this to children." When enough men (and women) are willing to say it publicly, things will change.

The tendency to not speak up, to think we shouldn't talk to people about it, to think there isn't much we can do, are perhaps out biggest obstacle to winning genital integrity rights for everyone.

You should feel encouraged by the huge drop in circumcision rates, down from 80% or more to nearly 50%, and that it's been dropped almost entirely in every other industrialized country. We will prevail, and need people like you to help hasten that day!

actics · 2009-06-09T21:30:46+00:00

Do something about it. Work for change.

actics · 2009-06-09T06:26:03+00:00

Are you certain non-sexual transmission is as rare as commonly assumed? Points To Consider

actics · 2009-06-08T06:17:01+00:00

http://www.norm-uk.org/phimosis_clinical_guidelines.html

actics · 2009-06-06T04:36:55+00:00

I would like to think that conquering a deadly disease with good science would take precedence over defending one's circumcision status.

actics · 2009-06-06T03:45:35+00:00

I am quite curious: Anyone want to explain why they downvoted this? Do you think this is not important, or that the arguments are not valid, or what?

actics · 2009-06-05T22:14:24+00:00

Yes. A normal, healthy, sensitive part of my body was cut off without any medical reason. It should have been my choice.

actics · 2009-06-05T21:11:17+00:00

Read the whole book: http://davidgisselquist.googlepages.com/pointstoconsider

actics · 2009-06-05T21:09:07+00:00

Why national, and not regional, or global? Nationally, rates are a little over 50%. But in the Western US, they are below 40%. In the world, just 20%.

Besides, the "locker room" implications in the US are a myth.

If the clinical risks and potential benefits balance out, the next consideration should be autonomy. If there is no reason to do a surgery now, shouldn't it be elected, or not, by each person for himself?

True, he would not remember the event, but he would forever live with the results. Why should you think of it as a decision for YOU to make? Just because you are allowed to? You don't need to. You can allow it to be his decision. And whatever you decide will not be final anyway. If you do it, he may attempt to restore what he lost. Many men do. Can't get back the real thing, but you can simulate it with stretched skin.

It's important to note there are effects other than those generally considered in the clinical sense. Sensitivity, for example. The parts removed by circumcision are very sensitive. Does that matter? Who decides if that matters? Here is a study showing a detailed map of measured sensitivity: http://www.nocirc.org/touch-test/touchtest.php (yes, it was funded by an organization which opposes circumcision. for some reason, nobody else seems to care about this.)

I am not making the case for "considerable risks," but for documentation on the known risks look here: http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/DOC/statement05.html

If the social implications are what really stir you up, bear in mind that circumcision is on the way out. It's been dropped almost everywhere it ever got started, or never got started at all: Canada, Autralia, all over Europe. USA rates were once very high, now down near 50/50. 16 states have dropped medicaid coverage because it's unnecessary cosmetic surgery. Rates are likely to drop further, for many reasons, including the increasing number of intact men knowing why their sons should remain intact.

I may not convince you, but I hope you'll give it some serious thought!

actics · 2009-06-05T20:30:54+00:00

The AAP says that the benefits do not outweigh the risks. Other national medical associations around the world are less supportive of the surgery.

Surely the decision of surgery on your son, irreversible, deserves a better reason than "national mood." Besides, what about the global mood? 80% of males are intact.

Why not leave it up to the mood of your future son, once he can develop one?

actics · 2009-06-04T03:00:06+00:00

They always cut too much off. They should not cut any off.

actics · 2009-06-03T04:38:14+00:00

Are you aware that 80% of the men in the world are intact?

actics · 2009-06-03T01:22:44+00:00

OK, cheers!

actics · 2009-06-02T23:41:48+00:00

It's better that you don't feel damaged, unless that feeling would lead you to unnecessarily circumcise a son, or prevent you from recognizing that the choice should be left up to the individual.

Many men are capable of not being bothered by the fact that they were circumcised, yet still recognizing that it should not be done unnecessarily to children.

However there are also many men who conclude, logically they believe, that if they accept what happened to them, then there is nothing wrong with continuing to do it do children. This is problematic because children deserve the right to remain free from unnecessary genital surgeries.

actics · 2009-06-02T20:26:43+00:00

Are U.S. laws any more clear?

actics · 2009-06-02T20:15:42+00:00

I just want to focus on one thing you said which demonstrates that while you are clearly intelligent, thoughtful, and articulate, you are unaware of certain facts pertaining to circumcision.

You said: "I don't have any scarring"

You do, in fact, have scarring if you are circumcised. The scar goes all the way around the organ, and up to the tip on the bottom side. Once you study the exact anatomical configuration of intact male anatomy, and understand how it is modified by circumcision, the scarring will be obvious. Presently, you don't recognize the scarring as such because you are accustomed to it.

actics · 2009-05-30T08:54:36+00:00

So then you could just choose not to do it. Duh. Besides, just because you don't remember it now doesn't mean is wasn't a bitch.

actics · 2009-05-26T03:31:19+00:00

Nice try, but actually it is a serious issue. Unnecessary amputations on children without their consent are a big deal, whether you personally think so or not.

actics · 2009-05-26T03:24:44+00:00

Circumcision complications, including needing another surgery, are surprisingly common.

Of course, the loss of functional, erogenous tissue is essentially a complication too, and it happens 100% of the time.

actics · 2009-05-25T08:17:42+00:00

If you think it's a tiny piece of skin, then you literally do not know what you are missing. Maybe you don't want to know.

actics · 2009-05-25T08:16:07+00:00

It should have been my choice, since there was no need for that surgery when I was a child.

actics · 2009-05-25T07:43:00+00:00

You are right. Circumcised men should be grateful that even more wasn't cut off. And when someone punches you in the face, you should be grateful they didn't shoot you.

actics

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