Circumcision: Damaging Humanity
Here are some of my views on circumcision:
Recently there was a story on the BBC stating the supposed values of circumcision. It was called "Circumcision could cut HIV risk," and there were related reports on August 12th and 13th of 2006. Here is my response:
1. Genital mutilation and the further creation of damaged children, will never be a viable nor moral option for fighting AIDS.
2. Circumcision creates human males who will be sexually dysfunctional. They will live with life long pain. They will have a sexuality which will be abnormal. The constant pain and dysfunction they will live with will naturally lead to things such as:
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Increased abusiveness. |
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An increased propensity for anger, as they have a permanently disfigured sexual organ. |
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A fundamental feeling of incompleteness, when these young men come of age and realize that they are fundamentally incomplete. |
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A feeling of resentment as they find that sexual activity of any type tends to lead to pain. They essentially have a scar right in an area which has a lot of nerve endings, and that scar will impede sexual function. Additionally they will find that a part of their body which thousands or millions of years of evolution determined should be kept covered is now not covered - and that part gets chapped and dried out in a very uncomfortable manner. |
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low male self esteem |
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avoidance of intimacy in male-female relationships |
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negative attitudes toward pain and stimulation |
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passivity |
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reduced empathy |
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antisocial behaviors - adult male violence, domestic violence, rape, child sexual abuse, suicide, and theft. |
As a circumcised male I can freely verify that more than one of the above elements are definitely present within males who are genitally mutilated.
3. The moral equivalence of advocating circumcision as an AIDS preventative would be to have dentists advocate lip removal as a means of preventing tooth decay. The foreskin is not just a flap of skin. It was put there by a long period of evolution (or by a god if you prefer), and it should not be trifled with nor removed under all but the most extreme of circumstances.
4. Female genital mutilation is prevalent in Africa. Promoting male genital mutilation there or anywhere will only serve to compound the problem of continued female genital mutilation.
5. So, circumcision in both sexes creates damaged angry children and damaged angry adults. It's too bad that there are adults who are in denial about how their being mutilated in a key and essential part of their bodies. But these people are damaged and dysfunctional nevertheless.
6. Related materials:
A Preliminary Poll of Men Circumcised in Infancy or Childhood - from NOHARMM
Foreskin Curriculum - from Doctors Opposing Circumcision - check out section under Broader Implications of Harm...
http://www.foreskin.org - a site with photos showing the value of the foreskin. They also have some useful links on reversal. Reversal can have value, but you can never get rid of the scar embedded in a nerve packed area, a scar which is prone to pain and trouble during and after sexual activity. So reversal can offer some hope to men who want some relief from this heavy burden foisted on them by ignorant parents and idiotic cultures and religions.
List of anti-circ groups - from NOCIRC
NOHARMM - National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males
Religious people making statements against circumcision, including Jewish and Islamic groups who reject circumcision - from notjustskin.org
Circumcision and Penile Care Resources for Birth Care Providers - includes a good quote about how many insurance providers, and Medicaid in states such as Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, no longer cover routine circumcision -- as from the International Coalition for Genital Integrity.
