how can an infant still in the creche hold anything more than a child's desire

[primroseburrows]

OMG, finally someone with some sense.

A Proposed Bill to Ban Male Circumcision

Not that it'll actually go anywhere, but it's a start. *applauds heartily*

Thanks to patchfire for the link.

Comments

[neonnurse.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your very straight-forward and non-heated response and questions. I always appreciate discussions with people who believe in courteous rationality. :)

One of the problems that seldom gets put forth is that, like ANY medical procedure, there are occasional unexpected deaths, either from shock or later complictions like infections. I feel that even one is too many, so why take the risk?

Calling it MGM might seem over the top at first glance. But it is technically correct--the penis is being mutilated by removal of the protective skin over the glans. Also, although these days the practice is pushed for 'cleanliness' reasons, it was actually promoted for non-religious general application in this country (starting in the early 1900s by Kellogg and others known to have an over-active interest in the 'health' of young boys) because it was thought it would prevent masturbation. Since AS WE ALL KNOW that causes insanity, blindness, etc....
So there is a connection between the FMG in Africa and the original 'selling point' that got the practice rooted into our medical culture.

As for deeper motivations, the pediatric arm of the AMA briefly came out against routine circumcision (those not required by the religion of the parents), citing it did no evidential good in later life, health prevention wise, and also citing the morbidity stats. Guess who threw a fit? All those docs who make a nice chunk of change for each operation. So they retracted the statement and rewrote it a lot more blandly.

I don't want to get into the religion aspect much, because I don't want to be insulting. But I have a little trouble with the idea that parents are entitled to do what they choose to their child's body because of their beliefs. Circumcision is a minor act compared to FGM or parents who believe in faith healing or no blood transfusions allowing their children to die...but it's all the same argument in the end. I applaud the Jewish leaders who are trying to find a reasonable path down the middle (per primroseburrows post) to meet the needs of tradition without hurting the little baby boys as much.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Since AS WE ALL KNOW that causes insanity, blindness, etc....

Well of course. Which of course is why most teenage boys are blind and crazy. Oh, wait. They aren't. Gee. ;)

[neonnurse.livejournal.com]

Well. Mostly not BLIND. :)

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I have one non-crazy teenage boy. Well, most of the time. He did dye his hair several interesting colours at various times. :)