Related article : U.S. circumcision rate drops - Boston.com

Against it. I consider it mutilation.

I have been circumcised myself, and I really couldn't care less. In fact, when I see all the problems people who aren't endure, I'm glad I am.

What are you talking about?

Well, I'm no specialist but loads of people have told me about hypersensitivity (meaning that it really hurts when you touch it) or things like that.

The fact that it is mutilation is undeniable - just read the definition of "mutilation" in any dictionary - but I'm perfectly fine as I am.

Why do you consider it mutilation?

You're cutting off a part of an infant, permanently altering the child's body. That's pretty much the textbook definition of mutilation.

Infant circumcision should be banned- circumcision for cosmetic or personal reasons should be the choice of that individual, not forced upon them by their parents, as it is completely irreversible. While the skin can be stretched out somewhat, the loss of 1/3 of the nerve endings in the penis is permanent.

However, youth circumcision for actual medical reasons (not the idiotic "it prevents HIV!" reason- that's what condoms are for) due to infection or similar situations should be allowed.

Hypersensitivity to pain also carries with it hypersensitivity to pleasure. It is caused by "it" (the glans) not being touched. This is quite easily remedied by the individual with the slightest of education on the topic. On the other hand, removing the foreskin permanently removes that sensitivity, along with the child's freedom of choice on the issue.

It is exactly the same kind of mutilation as "female circumcision" - it just happens to be church-endorsed and publically accepted in the West (as is the female variety in some other cultures incidentally).

The fact that parents do this to their child, while at the same time professing that the child is the most important, most loved thing in their life, is beyond comprehension to me. It can only stem from ignorance - and ignorance is all we ever see when people try to justify it.

Call me ignorant if you want, I really couldn't care less. All I'm saying is that I'm perfectly fine with that, and whether you like it or not doesn't matter at the slightest.

I'm happy I was snipped.

Also, I have two sons who also have been circumcised.

Firstly a son doesn't have 5to look like their dad (how egotistical can you get - honestly)
Secondly unless the foreskin creates a problem then it should stay, I mean he was born with it!!!

Against it

I have to go along with HymnToLife here. I am circumcised at it doesn't bother me one bit, nor has it ever. And all this crap about "nerve endings" is BS to me; I've had sex before and not once have I ever stopped and though, "Damn, if I only had some foreskin!"

If I could go back in time to my birth and actively choose whether or not to be circumcised, I'd do it. I've had several friends tell me that you have to constantly clean under the skin or it can get nasty. And I've had several girls tell me that uncircumcised guys somehow smell worse than circumcised guys. But that stuff is just from personal experience, I don't want to make any generalizations.

If I have kids one day, I'd think I'd have them circumcised. Yeah, it's probably extremely painful and traumatic, but I think in the long run it doesn't matter, kind of like having an innie or an outtie belly button. It's not like a person actually remembers it happening.

EDIT: OMG Vorian, imagine seeing you here! In a circumcision thread, of all places...

WTF?

I have a friend who is from India. He was not circumcised as a child. A few years ago, he was circumcised for medical reasons. He said he wished he had it back. Make of that what you will.

of course it doesn't bother you ... you can't miss something you've never used.

you don't have to do it constantly, you have to do it regularly ... like your teeth, nails and every other part of your body.

I personally don't care one way or another, I have been and so has my son and their is nothing wrong with us. Here is what I think, it should be up to the parent to make the decision based on their beliefs and culture.

Against it, it is stupid and I too consider it mutilation. (Mutilation or maiming is an act or physical injury that degrades the appearance or function of the (human) body, usually without causing death.)

It doesn't have. But hypersensitivity can be right. In the foreskin it develops a high concentration of sensitive nerves. If you mistreat them, sure it will hurt, but during sex the foreskin increases pleasure. (Most circumcised men must have an increased pressure to get the same feeling.)
Note also that the foreskin acts as an extra stimulant for the female too, since it adds some extra structure.

Actually, it isn't permanent. With an arrangement of weights you can regrow ones foreskin.

"Nasty" and "Worse"? The foreskin has the capability to store different lubricant-acting fluids, such as urine, fats and the fluid that seamen is held in (don't know the word in English). So, it might smell, but only as it should, it can smell worse, but thats probably because they have a low personal hygiene, and only indirectly by the foreskin.

Other notes: Foreskin has protective properties. Infants, wearing diapers, have a higher risk of getting infections in the penis. It is known that the foreskin lowers this risk.

I don't think they're comparable.

I have to agree with you, I have heard horror stories of young girls in Africa having this done to them. Some of them have died others are unable to have kids.

How does it degrade the penis? Does the penis start crying and start taking anti-depressants because it feels degraded?

My son has never had an infection because of diapers and I have never had an infection either. I have heard that it is easier to get an infection because of the foreskin.