As far as the reasoning that it is child abuse because there is bi anestesia isn't completely true. A new born child has not yet formed all the complete wiring in their brains needed to accurately "feel" pain. Yes, cutting them may cause them some amount of pain, but not to the degree it would cause a grown man to have his forskin cut. Also, infants heal much much faster than adolescents, another reason it is traditionally done at an early Age. So yes it may cause the baby to flip out and scream but so does giving them an inoculation through a needle, and heck sometimes just changing their diaper lol no need to criminalize that based on the amount of pain we think they feel. less

As far as the reasoning that it is child abuse because there is bi anestesia isn't completely true. A new born child has not yet formed all the complete wiring in their brains needed to accurately "feel" pain. Yes, cutting them may cause them some amount of pain, but not to the degree it would cause a grown man to have his forskin cut. Also, infants heal much much faster than adolescents, another reason it is traditionally done at an early Age. So yes it may cause the baby to flip out and scream but so does giving them an inoculation through a needle, and heck sometimes just changing their diaper lol no need to criminalize that based on the amount of pain we think they feel. less

This is one topic I feel strongly about. I don't understand why so many babies are circumcised. Everyone is upset about FGM (female genital mutilation), and rightfully so. But how is male circumcision socially acceptable? Essentially it does the same thing-remove a vital part of the anatomy. Very rarely is there any medical cause for it. Reasons cited are often "because it's cleaner" (really? how about just WASHING it?) or "because my religion calls for it" (some religions call for circumcision of girls, but we don't allow it. Heck, should we allow ritual satanic sacrifice just because it's part of religion?) It's one thing if an adolescent boy decides for himself that he doesn't want his foreskin (though I can't see this happening too often!) But to do it to a newborn infant, who has no say or understanding, is child abuse in my mind. This is notwithstanding the fact that no anesthetic is used-if you don't believe me there are videos on YouTube. Why do you think the babies cry bloody murder? It's just WRONG all the way around. less

My nephew was nearly circumcised without his parents permission. They specifically put him on the 'Do Not Circumcise' list, but the tag on his crib fell off. If he wasn't in his mother's room, being nursed, when his scheduled time came, he would have been chopped against the wishes of his parents.

He's 3 now and has no problems, since his parents keep him clean and taught him how to wash himself. Same with his little brother.

For the religious aspect... Abraham got to decide to cut off his foreskin. My own personal opinion, and it may be wrong, since I'm not Jewish, but I think it's a more meaningful covenant to knowingly give up part of your body than to have it taken from you. less

I am not voting on this, not reading the replies, and probably after posting this, not coming back. Female circ's are to make sex painful so the woman will not cheat on future hubby. Males circ's are to prevent infection. Ask ANY man if at 8 years old they properly washed anything! They will say no, unless they lie. I have had many cousins get circ'ed at all different kind of ages in the single digits because they got an infection. I even know a few men in their 60's and up who have to get circ'ed bc of an infection. At 5, 6, 7, 8, etc it is more traumatic because they are older and can remember.

That being said, I had my son circ'ed. Why? To prevent having him circ'ed when I tell him to go bathe at 8 and he doesn't do it right. And because he is MY son. If you don't get yours circ'ed, I respect your decision bc that is YOUR son. And bc there is actually a medical reason, whereas with female circ's it's to make sex painful. less

"For the religious aspect... Abraham got to decide to cut off his foreskin. My own personal opinion, and it may be wrong, since I'm not Jewish, but I think it's a more meaningful covenant to knowingly give up part of your body than to have it taken from you."

Very nicely put.

I thought I'd add this to the conversation: Circumcision Does Not Prevent HPV Infection, RCT Data 'Inflated,' Study Finds less

I think I should mention that FGM is not entirely analogous to male circumcision because the structures that form the foreskin when a fetus differentiates into a male are NOT analogous to the clitoris. The clitoris is analogous to the ENTIRE penis of a male. (here's a good illustration of how this happens)To measure the impact of FGM in male terms would be to imagine someone cutting off a child's entire penis. The foreskin is more like the clit hood in females. It would be more apt to compare male circumcision to labiaplasty.

That said, could you imagine the uproar if someone wanted to perform labiaplasty on their baby? In any case, it is not the parents' right to decide what to remove from their child's body. I have mixed views about religious rights to circumcise, but it should definitely be discouraged more than it already is. less

I am not voting on this, not reading the replies, and probably after posting this, not coming back. Female circ's are to make sex painful so the woman will not cheat on future hubby. Males circ's are to prevent infection. Ask ANY man if at 8 years old they properly washed anything! They will say no, unless they lie. I have had many cousins get circ'ed at all different kind of ages in the single digits because they got an infection. I even know a few men in their 60's and up who have to get circ'ed bc of an infection. At 5, 6, 7, 8, etc it is more traumatic because they are older and can remember.

That being said, I had my son circ'ed. Why? To prevent having him circ'ed when I tell him to go bathe at 8 and he doesn't do it right. And because he is MY son. If you don't get yours circ'ed, I respect your decision bc that is YOUR son. And bc there is actually a medical reason, whereas with female circ's it's to make sex painful. less

I remember reading a thread here in EF about labiaplasty and how many people were against it. My want for cutting off- rather a better way to explain it, trimming my labia down to make it more appealing and less problematic for me seems to bring a controversial discussion from both men and women. And not just here at EF but on other Forums as well.

The biggest difference is, I am thirty-one years old. I can make my own decision to keep or to trim back my labia. A child cannot. What would society say if parents would trim back an infant girls labia?

I don't think circumcision should be illegal. I think infant circumcision should be prohibited until the child is old enough to make an informed decision; religious or not. For people who feel that infant boys should be circumcised, it is a cosmetic procedure.

I personally do not beleive that religious body modification should be performed on children. THAT should be against the law. When that child is of an age where they can make an informed decision, then I say let them decide.

Parents might be the parents of their child but I do not feel they have the 'right' to make this decision for them. I've inspected my body, and I've had someone inspect my body inside and out. And nowhere on my body does it say, "Property of WomanChina's Mom and Dad" I don't see an ISBN code. Parents don't want their child to get a tattoo till they are of an age where they (might) can think of the consequences of such a permanent reminder of years gone by. Or a nose ring. Or a tongue ring. Ultimately; if they child/teenager wants the ring, tattoo there are ways to get it done. And if they child/teenager wants to get circumcised, it really should be left up to the owner of the penis. And not the proxy's or regents of it. less