Male Circumcision??

I'd heard about something similar happening Santa Monica, CA near me regarding circumcision and banning it and I went and read a bunch of articles on the "whole baby" movement and how male circumcision is just as bad as female circumcision and a lot of other "sensitive" topics.... forums and articles get crazy with folks religious and personal beliefs. In general, I think it should be up to the parents to do it or not, especially since there is a strong tie to religious traditions.

If I were to have a boy I would probably have it done if FH think we should.

TMI: As a woman who's seen both... I prefer the "look" of a man who is circumcised, but that's probably a result of cultural expectations that I was brought up with.

I personally believe that if you want to get your baby circumcised, then great. If not, that's great too. Unlike more controversial issues (abortion, just to throw that out there), this isn't an issue that I believe government, or anyone other than the baby's parents, need be involved in.

I chose to have my son circumcised because it was the tradition in my family. It may have been religious driven at some point but became "that's" how all the men in the family were done. Cultural, religious, etc., I don't think it should be up to the government if it should be done or not.

So female circumcision should be unbanned?

I think it is up to the parents. It is nobody else's business.

I actually had a friend in high school tell me that he wasn't and that as soon as he could save up money, he was going to go have it done. OUCH! It's one thing to have it done when you are a baby and don't really know and won't remember... but to be 17-18 and have to go and get it done? *SMH*

Anyways, my son is circumcised. He was about a month old when he got it done. It was a discussion between his father and myself.

It is not the state's business or the government's business who does this or doesn't do this.

It's just another way for them to try to run our lives because apparently, they think we can't handle making or are smart enough to make our own decisions!!

@FMW- yikes. that's whole other can of worms.

My ex was not so none of our boys are....and they are all perfectly healthy!

I am only asking because it's been banned from the country. However RIC is still legal with boys. So for those who don't believe in the ban on male circumcision, how do you feel about female??

This is another case of the government infringing on bodies. What if you are Jewish and live in San Francisco? How do you justify the religious impact? BTW, this is nothing like female circumcision, that is mutilation. I am circumsized and I can promise you it's still plenty sensitive.

There are also men who are going through foreskin restoration. It's a lot easier, and less painful, to have it removed at an older age than trying to restore it.

I will allow my children to decide for themselves. It's their body.

Parents get arrested for giving their children tattoos, but not permanently mutalating their child's body??

One time a few years back when I wasn't sure about the differences of the two I researched it and honestly all of the health aspects and extra cleaning required for not having it done made me VERY happy it was done.

@FMW- i don't think that anyone would dispute that male and female circumcision are extremely different. female circumcision is far more painful, dangerous, and can lead to serious (and sometimes life-threatening) permanent consequences. it disgusts most (if not all) people in this country. having said that, as "wrong, disgusting," and "barbaric" as many of us think this cultural practice is, does that mean that we, as a nation, have the right to tell other cultures and countries what cultural practices they are and are not allowed to practice?

There are different degrees of female circumcision. ALL of which are banned. Not all are as horrific as many think. Plus the majority of female circumcision is religious. Still banned.

The united states has the highest rate of cosmetic/unnecessary circumcision. A very small percent is religious.

Some men who weren't circumcised as infants wish they were and some men who were circumcised wish they weren't. but how is anyone supposed to know what that baby will want years later down the road? no one. not parents. and not the government.

@FMW- i'd like to see your statistics and your sources.

The same applies to male circumcision. Boys have died, or had to become a female on the outside.

Plus, the extra cleaning and health risks are bull.

Exactly. It should be up to the child. Not the parents. That is my point.

Hmm, I am very happy that I have a daughter. No need to deal with this decision. ;-)

Correct me if I am wrong, the male circumcision is the removal of foreskin, correct? At least that was what was explained to me when I had my son done. "Female circumcision has 3 different types as follows: There are three basic types of genital excision, although practices vary widely. In the first type, clitoridectomy, part or all of the clitoris is amputated, while in the second (often referred to as excision), both the clitoris and the labia minora are removed. Infibulation, the third type, is the most severe: After excision of the clitoris and the labia minora, the labia majora are cut or scraped away to create raw surfaces, which are held in contact until they heal, either by stitching the edges of the wound or by tying the legs together. As the wounds heal, scar tissue joins the labia and covers the urethra and most of the vaginal orifice, leaving an opening that may be as small as a matchstick for the passage of urine and menstrual blood." I am with Glenn S. on this.

I will gladly submit my sources and accurate statistics. However, I am on my cell phone. I will post once I have access to a computer.