circumcision

[Magpie]

Originally Posted by venusupnorth

Hey Craig you porn dog I wasn't refering to sex, just the reason why circumcision was considered benefitial. The reason it became popular in the States is because men got fewer infections on there if they didn't have the skin.

This is completely inaccurate.

The origin of non-religious circ. in the states/US was not about infection or cleanliness, but rather to "repress/eliminate masturbation" by reducing sensitivity and movement w/removal of the foreskin. In the late 1800's it was believed that masturbation was the cause of a multitude of diseases and conditions (remember, ...you'll go blind?).

Then it was discovered this was untrue.

Once it was determined that masturbation was NOT the cause of these ill's, the foreskin was held responsible for things like penial/cervical cancer and urinary tract infections.

Then it was declared that this was untrue as well.

Currently there is no public health authority in the western world that supports or recommends routine circumcision as it is neither medically necessary nor beneficial.

[venusupnorth]

That's interesting Magpie about the masturbation, people are weird. I read that it had become popular in the 30's because of the infection factor, didn't know much else. My friends in the States have told me that it is slowly dying out, most people don't see the benefits as you mentioned.

[Brynn]

In the U.S. it's often the circumcised father who will insist on circumcising his sons so they'll "look like dad," while the mom stays out of the decision.
I can confirm this, having been somewhat opposed to circumcising my sons, but on the fence about health benefits for circumcision - studies which are definitely conflicting. I was grateful that my husband "took the bull by the horns."
Having said that, I do see the advantages of getting a nice young rabbi with a steady hand involved rather than having it done at the hospital should someone decide to go that way (although I doubt they do it for non-Jews). For one thing, they wait for eight days and let the poor little critter adjust to being born, whereas at the hospital they feel they have to do the thing immediately while the baby is still "in shock."
The other thing is this - at the hospital, it's common practice to use a kind of mechanical clamp that holds the penis in place and puts a sharp ring around it to take the foreskin off quickly and cleanly. Unfortunately, there's litigation out there right now against the makers of a certain type of clamp that is a knock-off of a more expensive kind. When hospitals buy both kinds, they dismantle them to be sterilyzed, and the knock-off parts get mixed up with the authentic parts of the clamp. If the parts are mixed, then degloving of the penis or complete castration can occur.

Why Bush Is An Idiot About Litigation "Reform"

The pictures that come through my husband's law offices are horrifying. All kinds of subsequent skin grafts are necessary, and not always successful.
Not for the squeamish

[Max Headroom]

^^^^^^^^I read the last part of that post and almost passed out...

OUCH!!!!!!!!!

[Con ate dog]

I was the only uncut boy in my grade.

It follows that a foreskin is there for some good reason, but I'll be darned if I can figure out why. Maintain sensitivity? Haven't heard any complaints from my snipped friends.

[Kosmick]

5. Cleanliness is next to oh my gawd - liness...

4. A stitch in time, saves nine...

3. What would Jesus do?

2. If it's OK for Martha Stewart...it's OK for me...

1. As a member of the Circumcisors and Bartender Union Local 27, you are entitled to keep the tips...

[Brynn]

^I shouldn't, but LOL LOL LOL

[JesusTitties]

//

[Brynn]

Most noodles I've ever encountered went fairly limp when introduced to moisture.

[Con ate dog]

aka "The Aardvark"