General Discussion

Mariana

(14,864 posts)

156. Back in the day, it was strongly recommended by many doctors.

Wed Feb 3, 2016, 10:51 PM

Feb 2016

My grandfather probably wasn't circumcised, either, but my father was, because the doctor told my grandparents it was "healthier". Appearance didn't have anything to do with the decision. I don't think that's as true today. I don't know for sure, but I suspect very few intact men want their sons to be circumcised for "health" reasons nowadays.

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Male circumcision is wrong and unfortunate. Leave babies' genitalia alone! [View all] Quantess Feb 2016 OP

I'm satisfied with allowing parents to make medical decisions for their children. WillowTree Feb 2016 #1

It seems like a vanity thing more many these days PersonNumber503602 Feb 2016 #9

Religious reasons aren't any better... TipTok Feb 2016 #56

Doesn't AIDS virus happen more frequently with those with foreskin? yeoman6987 Feb 2016 #130

Yep. BigDemVoter Feb 2016 #132

Thanks! yeoman6987 Feb 2016 #133

There are so many factors at play there, you can't legitimately claim a causal connection. /nt Marr Feb 2016 #175

It ain't medical... MellowDem Feb 2016 #13

Really nichomachus Feb 2016 #52

Is there routinely illness involved regarding the necessity of cutting babies' genitalia? Quantess Feb 2016 #115

I've come to the opinion that it's not medical, it's aesthetic. lumberjack_jeff Feb 2016 #59

Me too. Doremus Feb 2016 #65

Yep. Mariana Feb 2016 #148

i doubt whether my dad was DesertFlower Feb 2016 #153

Back in the day, it was strongly recommended by many doctors. Mariana Feb 2016 #156

my dad was born in 1921. i don't think DesertFlower Feb 2016 #158

My dad was born later, 1938 Mariana Feb 2016 #164

From what I've seen as a health care worker, most men born in the 1920s have been intact. Crunchy Frog Feb 2016 #190

I work in a hospital, and they circumcise children like they're on a factory line! BigDemVoter Feb 2016 #159

Well, it is supported by the AAP, after a long exploration of pros and cons. HuckleB Feb 2016 #60

+1000 nt Mojorabbit Feb 2016 #81

To be fair: Act_of_Reparation Feb 2016 #86

It is not purely science. Ms. Toad Feb 2016 #199

And the US... MellowDem Feb 2016 #87

Would you be OK with parents not vaccinating their kids? davidn3600 Feb 2016 #100

I think not vacciniating kids is not a good decision. WillowTree Feb 2016 #161

Are you comparing not vaccinating with not circumcising? uppityperson Feb 2016 #186

It is not medically necessary. Boudica the Lyoness Feb 2016 #104

perhaps men should make the decision for themselves Skittles Feb 2016 #149

Message auto-removed Name removed Feb 2016 #2

Only if you're also going to spank them while smoking in an Olive Garden with a Pit Bull and yodermon Feb 2016 #3

I guess it shows some bias... MellowDem Feb 2016 #16

I am actually against circumcision as well.. Just, good luck getting a discussion going on DU yodermon Feb 2016 #34

Well hello, yodermon! Quantess Feb 2016 #64

Go team Mushroom Head... lame54 Feb 2016 #4

+1,000,000. HughBeaumont Feb 2016 #43

So we're okay with body shaming now? Crunchy Frog Feb 2016 #191

Shrug. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Feb 2016 #5

that's my response too hfojvt Feb 2016 #15

You wouldn't be... MellowDem Feb 2016 #21

many things are done to children hfojvt Feb 2016 #26

And yet... MellowDem Feb 2016 #30

Not illegal for a parent to consent to an infant's tattoo in most states. LanternWaste Feb 2016 #71

You didn't have the choice to do it... MellowDem Feb 2016 #19

I imagine it would be far more painful for an adult KamaAina Feb 2016 #24

Maybe he wouldn't have gotten it done... MellowDem Feb 2016 #27

My husband converted to Judaism as an adult but had thankfully had the circumcision CTyankee Feb 2016 #72

It's painful for a tiny infant too. lumberjack_jeff Feb 2016 #61

You don't know anything different. Boudica the Lyoness Feb 2016 #105

And unless they decide to get snipped as adults, neither do the uncut guys know any different. nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Feb 2016 #112

.... Laffy Kat Feb 2016 #6

It may fall out of favor HassleCat Feb 2016 #7

50/50 now Doremus Feb 2016 #69

But it's a beautiful tradition commanded by the genocidal misogynist God of ancient warlords! killbotfactory Feb 2016 #8

Apparently, if your OWN culture says a knife cutting a baby's genitals is proper and healthy Quantess Feb 2016 #141

Dude, I was just asking what you planning to eat for dinner. nt Tommy_Carcetti Feb 2016 #10

I like these threads because I like finding out that I've been traumatized Orrex Feb 2016 #11

Me too TexasProgresive Feb 2016 #14

Many Muslim women... MellowDem Feb 2016 #25

I have participated in many of these threads over time Orrex Feb 2016 #36

I haven't said either... MellowDem Feb 2016 #40

Message auto-removed Name removed Feb 2016 #44

I think that is some of it... MellowDem Feb 2016 #48

Great tool for if one thinks you've been cheated: Your-skin cone emulatorloo Feb 2016 #57

Nor did I claim that you had. Orrex Feb 2016 #49

But the reasoning is the same... MellowDem Feb 2016 #68

The comparison is still invalid, whatever the reasoning Orrex Feb 2016 #92

As cultural practices... MellowDem Feb 2016 #99

But that comparison is so broad as to have no meaning Orrex Feb 2016 #111

You make no sense MellowDem Feb 2016 #117

That's garbage Orrex Feb 2016 #120

You're the one defending a "minor surgical procedure" MellowDem Feb 2016 #140

You pretend it's about consent, but I don't believe you. Orrex Feb 2016 #157

Nothing cosmetic like circumcision... MellowDem Feb 2016 #160

So you don't have a list. Got it. That's called "special pleading" Orrex Feb 2016 #170

I gave you a list... MellowDem Feb 2016 #178

You gave yet another list of bogus analogies Orrex Feb 2016 #179

How is it bogus? MellowDem Feb 2016 #180

Your list is bogus for a bunch of reasons Orrex Feb 2016 #181

You're making my point... MellowDem Feb 2016 #182

Are you a pediatrician? No? Then your opinion is close to meaningless. Orrex Feb 2016 #184

Lots of pediatricians... MellowDem Feb 2016 #185

I think many people consider the very presence of a foreskin Mariana Feb 2016 #183

They are indeed victims. Doremus Feb 2016 #74

No shit. Good thing I made no claims about botched circumcisions. Orrex Feb 2016 #96

My parents are rich, I am not.... Drahthaardogs Feb 2016 #144

They say I have diminished sensitivity. Codeine Feb 2016 #126

Yea GummyBearz Feb 2016 #134

I actually mean it seriously, after having 2 uncircumcised boyfriends. Quantess Feb 2016 #12

you didn't mention that hfojvt Feb 2016 #23

By chopping off the foreskin... MellowDem Feb 2016 #31

You are obviously free to imagine whatever you want to, no matter what I said or didn't say. Quantess Feb 2016 #35

I'm happy, I'm cut. woolldog Feb 2016 #17

Compared to what? MellowDem Feb 2016 #37

Comparisons between infant & adult circumcision are invalid Orrex Feb 2016 #53

How is the nerve involvement different? MellowDem Feb 2016 #84

People will do UglyGreed Feb 2016 #107

"Intact" is offensive term in this context Orrex Feb 2016 #108

And calling me not normal UglyGreed Feb 2016 #114

Let me add those UglyGreed Feb 2016 #116

Who said it's fine? Anyone who calls you abnormal for that is an asshole. Orrex Feb 2016 #118

I used the term intact UglyGreed Feb 2016 #121

It is a big deal, because you're using a term without knowing what it means Orrex Feb 2016 #122

Intact also UglyGreed Feb 2016 #123

example UglyGreed Feb 2016 #124

it's cleaner, cuter, and more mouth-friendly. UglyGreed Feb 2016 #127

Erect penises look the same, whether circumcised or not. They are quite easy to keep clean too. And uppityperson Feb 2016 #187

It was someone else's comment in this thread UglyGreed Feb 2016 #188

Comparisons between appendectomy and circumcision are invalid Orrex Feb 2016 #113

i predict that by the end of this day this p[ost will have a hundred responses saturnsring Feb 2016 #18

You were correct! jonno99 Feb 2016 #167

thank you very much. saturnsring Feb 2016 #171

My father was circumcised when he was 80... meaculpa2011 Feb 2016 #20

Guys in europe, after a few drinks, when the topic comes up... Quantess Feb 2016 #22

Guys in Europe also ask... meaculpa2011 Feb 2016 #32

I appreciate your humor. This is a serious topic. Quantess Feb 2016 #41

Yes it is, and this is a serious answer... meaculpa2011 Feb 2016 #47

Circumcision is unnecessary, it just is. Quantess Feb 2016 #51

Wow !!! TubbersUK Feb 2016 #58

Because culture and because doctors recommend it - or at least don't object. n/t lumberjack_jeff Feb 2016 #62

Thanks :) TubbersUK Feb 2016 #70

"culture" so so sons will look like their dads? Quantess Feb 2016 #136

I don't think it's quite that high. subterranean Feb 2016 #82

I'm circumcised as are both of are sons. If I had another son we would make the decision to Waldorf Feb 2016 #28

The real question... MellowDem Feb 2016 #39

I don't have a foreskin in this debate. Tierra_y_Libertad Feb 2016 #29

There are pros & cons to male circumcision. Female circumcision? I'm not aware of any "pros". jonno99 Feb 2016 #33

There are no pros.... MellowDem Feb 2016 #38

You appear to have strong feelings on this topic. What I wonder is - if you could - would jonno99 Feb 2016 #42

Would you deny a husband the choice... MellowDem Feb 2016 #46

I think the boys should have a choice. nt. Mariana Feb 2016 #151

. UglyGreed Feb 2016 #45

John Harvey Kellogg PufPuf23 Feb 2016 #106

And after his fine UglyGreed Feb 2016 #128

I was shocked by what I found about Kellogg after watching the video you posted PufPuf23 Feb 2016 #145

Strange how somethings UglyGreed Feb 2016 #147

+1 DetlefK Feb 2016 #177

I didn't mind, my son didn't seem to mind. ileus Feb 2016 #50

My son's slicing UglyGreed Feb 2016 #54

"didn't seem to mind" lumberjack_jeff Feb 2016 #63

New AAP Policy on Circumcision HuckleB Feb 2016 #55

Apparently many on this board only... meaculpa2011 Feb 2016 #78

It's certainly a debate within the world science community, still. HuckleB Feb 2016 #80

The AAP... MellowDem Feb 2016 #89

That may be. HuckleB Feb 2016 #90

Other organizations have explored it... MellowDem Feb 2016 #97

I know that fully well. HuckleB Feb 2016 #98

Thanks for your very informative input - it's greatly appreciated. nt jonno99 Feb 2016 #165

I'm certain this particular topic has not been discussed fewer than 21 times on DU LanternWaste Feb 2016 #66

A funny story about circumcision nichomachus Feb 2016 #67

Mine went OK, and I'm glad I had it. But I asked my sons ... 11 Bravo Feb 2016 #73

Foreskin Sexual Function/Circumcision Sexual Dysfunction UglyGreed Feb 2016 #95

Is it circumcision week on DU already? Sheesh! MineralMan Feb 2016 #75

I thought we had 5 more shopping days before Circumcision Day NightWatcher Feb 2016 #76

they had to jam it in before the swimsuit issue week. nt msanthrope Feb 2016 #172

You can take the people out of the stone age, but you can't take the stone age out of the people. ZombieHorde Feb 2016 #77

Male circumcision is analogous to female circumcision only if the glans penis is removed, Aristus Feb 2016 #79

Finally! R.A. Ganoush Feb 2016 #83

because hygine is something little boys are really, really good at... Sen. Walter Sobchak Feb 2016 #85

You don't bathe regularly? Quantess Feb 2016 #138

I've let my daughters and their adult husbands, elleng Feb 2016 #88

It's weird... MellowDem Feb 2016 #93

'Immoral?' elleng Feb 2016 #94

FGM3, FGM type3 Quantess Feb 2016 #102

There is NO comparison between male circumcision and FGM. None at all. smirkymonkey Feb 2016 #119

There is when it comes to the reasoning behind it... MellowDem Feb 2016 #196

Erection looks circumcised, nonerect looks like I have a protective cover... pbmus Feb 2016 #91

CDC Encourages Circumcision even for Adult Men doxyluv13 Feb 2016 #101

Sounds like an American thing. (no text) Quantess Feb 2016 #110

it usually depends on the father shanti Feb 2016 #103

I'm a father who was circumcised, and we didn't circumcise our son. HuckleB Feb 2016 #109

Happily circumcised. Codeine Feb 2016 #125

If I have sons I don't plan to circumcise them... JPnoodleman Feb 2016 #129

Wow it is circumcision debate month already? Time flys GummyBearz Feb 2016 #131

never been a problem for me & wildbilln864 Feb 2016 #135

What gives an adult the right to do cosmetic surgery on a baby? Quantess Feb 2016 #137

Oh please, the answer is right in your own thread. But of course you know that... jonno99 Feb 2016 #166

circumcision is not cruel Takket Feb 2016 #139

I had outpatient surgery without anaesthetic with a few days old. I can't remember of course, LeftyMom Feb 2016 #143

when my son was born in 1961, my ob suggested it and I deferred to my husband. CTyankee Feb 2016 #174

Having no memory of something... MellowDem Feb 2016 #197

There are health benefits. I know of none in FGM. Yo_Mama Feb 2016 #142

I am glad I was cut. bigwillq Feb 2016 #146

I love my Little General. cherokeeprogressive Feb 2016 #150

I am very happy with mine NowSam Feb 2016 #152

I don't think anyone should be circumcised while eating at Olive Garden if there are CBGLuthier Feb 2016 #154

You win! beac Feb 2016 #193

my first husband was not and sometimes DesertFlower Feb 2016 #155

I couldn't agree more, which is why, liberalhistorian Feb 2016 #162

It's not just "cosmetic". It's functional impairment for both sexes. Manifestor_of_Light Feb 2016 #163

I don't care one way or another bhikkhu Feb 2016 #168

The real reason was it was a lucrative sideline for doctors after WWII That and Protestants wanted Monk06 Feb 2016 #169

got to go with the cut version, based simply on mouth feel. nt msanthrope Feb 2016 #173

i agree. Prefer uncircumcized myself. MariaThinks Feb 2016 #176

Agreed on all counts. Fearless Feb 2016 #189

When I see such intense discussion by a few making huge post numbers, Jim Beard Feb 2016 #192

I thought insurance normally doesn't pay Mariana Feb 2016 #194

Circumcision Cost Jim Beard Feb 2016 #195

For me, it's because... MellowDem Feb 2016 #198