Routine Infant Circumcision [RIC] is not practiced in most medically advanced nations. Unlike American parents, few parents worldwide are actually faced with this choice. Their babies are automatically brought home intact. 82 percent of the world's living men are intact. Few people are aware of the fact that circumcision was introduced to our culture in an attempt to eliminate masturbation.
Do not forfeit this decision out of respectful submission to your doctor. There are many benefits to keeping the foreskin intact. Typically, American doctors have limited knowledge in these areas. Many are totally unaware that the foreskin actually requires no special care. People mistakenly believe the circumcised penis is cleaner. The myth that the penis with a foreskin is difficult to clean is exactly that — a myth. The big hoopla over hygiene is pure and unnecessary paranoia.
Although many suggest that anesthesia solves that problem, there are risks associated with anesthesia, including death. It isn't always effective and the needle itself is extremely painful. Some children are surprised to learn that their penis has been cut and that a part of it has been discarded. Some have to live with circumcisions that had unsatisfactory results and the pursuit of foreskin restoration is not uncommon. Circumcision does not guarantee a problem-free penis. In fact, in many cases it is the very thing that initiates numerous problems. Careful cleaning must be performed. Infections of the raw wound are common.
Repeated infections can result in meatal stenosis (a narrowing of the urinary opening) which may require surgery. Meticulous care is needed in order to avoid the formation of an adhesion (scar tissue). This can result in a disfigurement and corrective surgery may be necessary. Some people complain that not enough skin was removed during their son's circumcision. They fear he looks uncircumcised. Children are often subjected to circumcisions being 'redone.' Sometimes, a circumcision may only appear to be incomplete when actually it is not. There may be fat pads in the pubic area. "When the child grows and the fat pad disappears," it will likely have the look of an ordinary circumcised penis. Often too much tissue is removed, although this is not become obvious until later. This can cause painful erections and curvature of the penis. And finally, the circumcised penis is not immune to infections, sexually transmitted diseases or penile cancer.
Many parents are led to believe that circumcision is safer than leaving the penis in its natural form. Your Child's Health by Barton Schmitt reports one out of every 500 circumcisions results in a serious complication. Many things can go wrong including hemorrhage, infections and damage to the penis. Much of the harm of circumcision does not become apparent until adulthood. The assumption that circumcision is inevitable at some later time is a myth. This fear is unwarranted. In Taking Care of Your Child, the authors state "The overwhelming majority of uncircumcised boys never develop medical problems." There is a less than 1 percent chance that circumcision will ever be medically necessary. If only one out of a hundred boys will require circumcision later, why then should the remaining 99 be automatically circumcised?
Even in the unlikely event it were necessary, which is worse — adult or infant circumcision? Many are told or automatically assume it's easier and less complicated for an infant. This just isn't so.
Inappropriately, the foreskin is still blamed for countless problems. So with the best of intentions, parents continue to authorize the procedure totally unaware of the risks taken and loss involved. But these medical problems are usually caused by other means. Penile and cervical cancers, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases have nothing to do with the foreskin itself. The information as to what actually causes these conditions is readily available. It appears that the major reason circumcision persists in this country is that many think all penises should look alike. The "like father, like son" argument is famous as is the locker room question.
Some insist it simply 'looks better' that way. There are women who claim to sexually prefer a circumcised penis. What they may not realize is that there are sexual advantages to remaining intact. One thing is certain and those who are fully informed know that non-religious circumcision is not medically necessary. Knowing this, if a parent still chooses to circumcise their baby, they are doing it for so-called cosmetic reasons. Non religious RIC persists in America because it has become part of our culture. It has evolved into a purely cosmetic procedure. As an infant, he is forced to experience the parent's preference. Upon maturity, the son may not share the same preference. He may later conclude that if it had been left up to him, he would have preferred to remain intact.
Parents who choose circumcision for cosmetic reasons do not realize that it cannot be accurately described as truly cosmetic. When it is presented so lightly, people naturally assume the effects of circumcision are minimal — even insignificant. The word is extremely misleading. Cosmetic surgery is performed to improve physical appearance without affecting function. The foreskin, commonly believed to have no purpose, actually has numerous functions and all of them are eliminated when the foreskin is removed.
Circumcision is irreversible. Healthy, functioning tissue is amputated from a helpless baby. Many have taken the position that the procedure is a human rights violation. The question is whether parents have the right to consent to an unnecessary procedure that has lifelong consequences.
Some medical and childbirth professionals recommend that expectant parents request permission from their hospital to observe a circumcision being performed. There are also videos available. As with any medical event, people should be made aware of what exactly is involved. This site and others describe the details of all the different circumcision methods.
Today, many Jews are questioning circumcision and opting against it. Some Christians also believe circumcision is required. An organization called Doctors Opposing Circumcision (D.O.C.) is committed to stopping RIC.
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