To Cut or Not to Cut: the Foreskin Debate
source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article2761868.ece
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Well, it seems the Brits are responsible. Queen Victoria, who, along with much of the British aristocracy, believed that the English descended from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, chose to have her sons circumcised. It became fashionable, and the procedure traveled to America. It was there that John Harvey Kellogg campaigned for circumcision as a cure for masturbation, which was, in his opinion, a cause of psychological problems. And ever since (in the 1950s, it is estimated, 90% of American boys were snipped), middle-class Americans have grown up believing that foreskins are filthy, wholly unnecessary fleshy adjuncts that harbor disease and make a sensitive teenage boy something of a fairground attraction in the communal-shower environment.
That?s why the uncut likes of Nick Nolte, Leonardo DiCaprio, Willem Dafoe, Emilio Estevez, Nicolas Cage and Keanu Reeves, all born during the barbaric period of the last millennium, are listed on pro-foreskin websites as if they were all some kind of heroic locker-room maverick.
What do you think? Clip it or keep it?
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remeeb
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Great, now not only do I have to feel jealous that my parents saw fit to deprive me of the pleasure that foreskin provides, but now I find out that I'm not a real man either because of it. What am I? Oh Shit!!!
- 3 years ago
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remeeb
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degrecia
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i think circumsicion sucks for two reasons:
1) it is probably done just to increase how long a guy lasts in bed, maybe effective for some...but i'd prefer a more sensitive guy (physically and emotionally).
2) it makes circumsized men feel superior to women by thinking they have no odor downstairs, and only women need to pay extra attention when bathing. yet the reality is, real men (uncircumcized) know that both genders should keep good hygeine.
that's my two cents. hope it's not too cynical!
- 4 years ago
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degrecia
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pressrecord
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besides judeo-christian-islamic men, equatorial islander cultures also practiced snipping. in the islands where my mom came from, it was tradition to round up all the boys when they're 7-9, have them all chew coca leaves or betel-nut, then they kneel in front of the village medicine man.
he sticks a pointed edge of a stick planted on the ground into the opening and abruptly taps the stick with the foreskin wrapped on it with an obsidian rock or blade. they don't cut around. they just cut open. the kids all jump in the water after and have tomatoes for penises until it heals.
it's a right of passage. they're considered men afterwards. the skin left may be used for piercing or extra flesh for female pleasure.
- 4 years ago
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pressrecord
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BilbosDragons
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I would say keep it. I'm probably one of the few American men in their thirties who has not been circumsized. I never asked my mom but I don't mind. I've never had any problems and I'm a very clean person. Most American woman I think are put off by it but some think it is sexy. In fact I think it's more sensitive down there. However I've never had a problem with premature ejaculation. I wouldn't have it any other way.
- 4 years ago
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BilbosDragons
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mirimysweet
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Plus, I've heard that circumcision actually reduces sensation by up to 40%. That sucks. I'm not sure if it's true, but it sucks all the same.
- 4 years ago
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mirimysweet
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J_Jammer [removed]
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mirimysweet:
They don't know. Speculation.
This is the dumbest claim I ever heard.
- 3 years ago
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J_Jammer [removed]
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alicynx
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I have a fifteen-month old boy and was adamant about him not being circumcised. I was deluged with the typical responses, 'he'll be singled out later on in life, and its more painful then', 'its unhealthy', yadda yadda yadda. I have been known to shoot back with statements like, 'Its a religious thing, and since I'm not one of those religions I chose not to do it." I've also been known to say 'how about you keep your opinions out of my son's pants?' when I'm really pissed about it. I believe that removing my son's skin, no matter where in his body it might be, is violating him on some level since he has no say in the matter. I hope he understands that I have given him a choice, and that even though he might not look like the other guys, he is complete and we didn't damage him just to conform to a society that shouldn't be looking at his penis to begin with.
- 4 years ago
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alicynx
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covelogibbs
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Duh, keep it.
There's no reason to do it and many reasons not to.
The "Oops" during the circumcision happens more than the infections that may be a problem later in life. If this rare infection does occur, circumcision at that time will take care of it (if that is even necessary).
The findings that circumcision may help prevent contacting the AIDS virus is blatantly racist. We wouldn't dare tell that to Americans, but to Africans....sure, why not. Yes go ahead, have an elective operation, most likely in a non-sterile environment, that may reduce your chances of getting aids slightly, but condoms, which are much more effective than anything else, no that's too easy.
Condoms are the best known way to prevent AIDS (other than abstinence, and we know that's not a solution).
Education is the answer. Some Africans are told and believe that AIDS is in the condoms, that you can cure AIDS by having sex with a virgin, and now circumcision will make you AIDS proof?
Routine neonatal circumcision used to be recommended by the AMA, but it no longer is. It is still, however, entrenched in the policies and practices of many doctors in the US and that's not going to change easily.
Male neonatal circumcision is only slightly less barbaric than female circumcision and should be discontinued, period.
- 4 years ago
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covelogibbs
