Parents.....

[miss_fluffy]

My husband wasn't circumcized and he was never teased about it.  In fact, he's rather proud.  I mean, unless young boys are carefully inspecting eachother in the lockerrooms, I doubt they'd really notice.  Scare his future wife?? That's crazy.  Personally, I think foreskins allow for better function, and more comfort on the woman's part.  But then, we've had this discussion before.  I guess it was time for another round.

[candyapple]

I have to admit I am on the no circ side. The first year my son was, he kept getting diaper fuzz stuck around there and I had to clean it out anyway, and I am kind of anal about changing diapers. The only one I am going to have to convince is daddy. I can't stand thinking about my baby feeling unnecessary pain. When working in the NICU, it shocked me how many people thought babies can't feel pain. I also think many people fall for the old wives tale about infections. I'm sure showers are taken there shouldn't be a problem, maybe that skin is there to protect anyway.   

[Freudentaumel]

Here's my only thinking on circumcision...

It's the norm in western society (or at least in America). 

It is a purely U.S. (post-WWII) thing. In Europe, only Jews and Muslims are circumcised. It is quite strange for us to that in America boys get circumcised.  The "health reasons" are a pure invention, otherwise Europeans should be sick all the time. It's a moneymaking industry (just like a lot of the illnesses that were invented in the last 50 years), and nothing else.

[Underdog]

Here's my only thinking on circumcision...

It's the norm in western society (or at least in America). 

It is a purely U.S. (post-WWII) thing. In Europe, only Jews and Muslims are circumcised. It is quite strange for us to that in America boys get circumcised.  The "health reasons" are a pure invention, otherwise Europeans should be sick all the time. It's a moneymaking industry (just like a lot of the illnesses that were invented in the last 50 years), and nothing else.

Cervical cancer rates are much much higher in countries with lower circumcision rates...including European ones...as compared to the US.  Circumcision does help to prevent cervical cancer.

@ Candyapple: All babies occasionally experience pain that is much worse than routine circumcision...it's called gas.

[miss_fluffy]

Here's my only thinking on circumcision...

It's the norm in western society (or at least in America). 

It is a purely U.S. (post-WWII) thing. In Europe, only Jews and Muslims are circumcised. It is quite strange for us to that in America boys get circumcised.  The "health reasons" are a pure invention, otherwise Europeans should be sick all the time. It's a moneymaking industry (just like a lot of the illnesses that were invented in the last 50 years), and nothing else.

Cervical cancer rates are much much higher in countries with lower circumcision rates...including European ones...as compared to the US.  Circumcision does help to prevent cervical cancer.

@ Candyapple: All babies occasionally experience pain that is much worse than routine circumcision...it's called gas.

You have got to be kidding me!  Have you ever watched a circumcision being done??  And really, if you have no experience with an uncircumcised penis, how do you know how sensitive the foreskin is as it's cut off?  Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, an STD.  I seriously doubt there's good evidence that circumcision somehow prevents the spread of HPV.  I'll never understand the need to try and convince other parents to mutilate their boys.  I mean, if you choose to do it for whatever reasons, go ahead, but don't try to guilt others into doing it as if they are giving their future daughter-in-laws cervical cancer.. what a crock!

[jovan66102]

You have got to be kidding me!  Have you ever watched a circumcision being done??  And really, if you have no experience with an uncircumcised penis, how do you know how sensitive the foreskin is as it's cut off?

Yes, I have. I was present when my youngest was circumcised, even tho the male nurse left the room. And I was circumcised at the age of three, so I actually have a vague memory of it. Not sure that gas is worse, but I know I had many more painful things happen to me during childhood.

[jovan66102]

From a 2002 study by a medical research team in Barcelona:

The team also found that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) was present in almost 20 per cent of uncircumcised men, but in fewer than six per cent of circumcised men. HPV is sexually transmitted and contributes to the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Circumcision is important because the inner lining of the foreskin is thought to be especially vulnerable to infection.

A link between male circumcision and reduced risk of cervical cancer has long been suspected. But the new study quantifies that risk.

"If we assume that 25 per cent of men around the world are circumcised, then the general adoption of circumcision might lead to a further reduction in the incidence of cancer of the cervix of 23 per cent to 43 per cent," write Hans-Olov Adami of the Karolinksa Institute in Sweden and Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School of Public Health, US, in a New England Journal of Medicine editorial accompanying the research paper.

[Raskolnikov]

From a 2002 study by a medical research team in Barcelona:

The team also found that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) was present in almost 20 per cent of uncircumcised men, but in fewer than six per cent of circumcised men. HPV is sexually transmitted and contributes to the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Circumcision is important because the inner lining of the foreskin is thought to be especially vulnerable to infection.

A link between male circumcision and reduced risk of cervical cancer has long been suspected. But the new study quantifies that risk.

"If we assume that 25 per cent of men around the world are circumcised, then the general adoption of circumcision might lead to a further reduction in the incidence of cancer of the cervix of 23 per cent to 43 per cent," write Hans-Olov Adami of the Karolinksa Institute in Sweden and Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School of Public Health, US, in a New England Journal of Medicine editorial accompanying the research paper.

Great. So, show those statistics to your son when he is 20 years old, and let him make an informed decision for himself then.

[Freudentaumel]

From a 2002 study by a medical research team in Barcelona:

The team also found that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) was present in almost 20 per cent of uncircumcised men, but in fewer than six per cent of circumcised men. HPV is sexually transmitted and contributes to the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Circumcision is important because the inner lining of the foreskin is thought to be especially vulnerable to infection.

A link between male circumcision and reduced risk of cervical cancer has long been suspected. But the new study quantifies that risk.

"If we assume that 25 per cent of men around the world are circumcised, then the general adoption of circumcision might lead to a further reduction in the incidence of cancer of the cervix of 23 per cent to 43 per cent," write Hans-Olov Adami of the Karolinksa Institute in Sweden and Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School of Public Health, US, in a New England Journal of Medicine editorial accompanying the research paper.

I think the Catholic method of preventing STDs is better.

[WhollyRoaminCatholic]

I don't think that Jovan is suggesting that circumcision is better than chastity. Miss_fluffy said she doubted a link and he showed evidence of one.