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Circumcision Carnivals: Best Left in the Past
There are some ancient traditions that are better left as part of the past...
Yes, I am referring to that all-time favorite Ottoman Empire ritual of a circumcision carnival*. Think about it. The high prince is about to get a ritual circumcision, so everyone decides, "Hey, let's have a carnival and everyone can get circumcised!"
Wow, why didn't I think of that? Actually, there are several documented festivals in celebration of the up-and-coming Ottoman royalty reaching the magic age of circumcision.
Ancient Islamic ritual has boys circumcised as young teens. Following weeks of around-the-clock celebration, the princes of the Sultan are circumcised in the female side of the palace (Harem).
Afterwards, a team of surgeons shares the joy of this key step of manhood by circumcising 15,000 boys from poor families. These children were then presented with gifts of clothing, toys and gold coins.
Later in the festival, the Sultan thanks all those that helped make the festival a success by throwing more gold coins to the palace personnel. A major social event of the Ottoman ruling class, circumcision still retains some of the celebration in many cultures.
*Taken from a beautifully written and illustrated chapter in de Historia Urologiae Europaeae 13 by A. Verit and others
Related Topics: Circumcision: Why it is done, Circumcision May Reduce Risk of HIV Infection
Technorati Tags: circumcision, festival, culture
Yes, I am referring to that all-time favorite Ottoman Empire ritual of a circumcision carnival*. Think about it. The high prince is about to get a ritual circumcision, so everyone decides, "Hey, let's have a carnival and everyone can get circumcised!"
Wow, why didn't I think of that? Actually, there are several documented festivals in celebration of the up-and-coming Ottoman royalty reaching the magic age of circumcision.
Ancient Islamic ritual has boys circumcised as young teens. Following weeks of around-the-clock celebration, the princes of the Sultan are circumcised in the female side of the palace (Harem).
Afterwards, a team of surgeons shares the joy of this key step of manhood by circumcising 15,000 boys from poor families. These children were then presented with gifts of clothing, toys and gold coins.
Later in the festival, the Sultan thanks all those that helped make the festival a success by throwing more gold coins to the palace personnel. A major social event of the Ottoman ruling class, circumcision still retains some of the celebration in many cultures.
*Taken from a beautifully written and illustrated chapter in de Historia Urologiae Europaeae 13 by A. Verit and others
Related Topics: Circumcision: Why it is done, Circumcision May Reduce Risk of HIV Infection
Technorati Tags: circumcision, festival, culture
69 Comments:
hmmmm maybe we should start vasectomy carnivals. Get more guys to anti up...
idiots, primitives!!!!!
This barborous surgical procedure BELONGS in the DARK AGES. To circumcize is to take all the joy out of sex (for the male at least).
Sexual mutilation, whether on boys or girls is a DISGRACE! A parent who subjects their child to this unnecessary, dangerous surgical mutilation should lose all parental rights! This is child abuse, but still MOST infant boys in the USA are subjected to htis torture.
Circumcision is a relic of ancient primitive people, cultures which probably knew little about bathing... after all we don't pull a child's teeth because they can rot; we teach our children to BRUSH their teeth... and when a boy's foreskin can be moved back away from the glans (which can vary by fifteen or so years) then he can run water and soap over it daily, like brushing his teeth and wiping his rear when he deficates. The foreskin allows the glans to be what it is, an INTERNAL ORGAN to be protected by chafing of clothing, and before clothing, protection from the elements. An UnMolested foreskin not only protects the head of the penis, it also keeps that end of the penile shaft "SENSITIVE" ...wonder why so many men in this country use Viagra and it's fine cousins? Part, maybe a significant part of the reason is the lack of feeling which slowly diminished over the decades. It is BARBARIC to cut off intimate parts of an infant or child, in his most personal place... Sure in extremely rare cases in which a male is fumose (tight as a dick's hatband) and he cannot pull back his skin, then partial to full circumcisions are in order, but only then. Circumcision brings in literally Billions (yes, with a "B") into the medical establishment in this country. Did you ever wonder why so many other "advanced" countries spare that protective and most sensitive part of a man's penis from the knife? Think about it and keep your children WHOLE; let them decide for themselves and I'll tell you this, once grown they'll be glad they are intact and not butchered .
Don't destroy one of the most sensitive areas in a child or boy who will eventually be a man... The creator put the dang thing there, LEAVE IT ALONE and teach your child how to brush his teeth, and shower his privates. He'll be healthy and Happy!
Why all the anonymous comments?
I was circumcised ..I have plenty of nerve endings...and no it doesn't take all the joy out of sex... there is more to sex then just YOUR arousal...actually it helps in making the penis less sensitive..hence you can prolong arousal longer for both the male and female ...I believe this is a good thing ..but lets ask a few of the women out there..which is better ...more or less arousal time?...never mind.. I already know the answer!! I do agree in doing it as early as possible and with a general anesthesia..pain is still pain...
Richard
Circumcision is no more barbaric than a episotomy or unnatural births with the drugs and cesarians. I'm glad I had the procedure due to STDs and the appearance and many women have confirmed. It's merely preference and medicinal precaution; so, leave the option and keep us free to make choices.
Circumcision is a wonderful thing to do to a new bi=orn child, especially when they have no say in it. A great study would be to survey all uncircumcised men and ask if they would have the medical procedure to become circumcised. An educated guess would be that the vast majority (99.98%) of these men would say, "NO." My question is, " How can someone believe that a newborn can say, "Please deform me!"
The second thing I want to say is that women love an uncircumcised man. I'm Native American Indian and I asure you in my case it is undisputed.
Circumcised at age 45
In evolutionary terms, the foreskin may have served to protect our naked ancestors as they walked or ran through the bush. Today, the foreskin serves no purpose.
I chose circumcision because I was suffering from recurrent bouts of herpes. Of course, circumcision did not cure me of herpes. But since circumcision, there have been fewer herpes lesions and they have healed more quickly.
Nowadays, when cosmetic plastic surgery is so common, what is the big deal about losing a bit of loose skin around the glans? Compared to a tummy tuck, a nose job or an ear clip, male circumcision is a big nothing.
Observant Jews wouldn't dream of
discarding circumcision because
of its supreme significance. For them, it is nothing less than a visual, lifetime symbol of a
very special relationship between
God and the individual.
Observant Christians have no
need for circumcision according to Paul, apostle to the gentiles.
Their relationship to God is assured without the ceremony.
Because Judaism is undeniably the
oldest surviving civilization,
many non observant but self affirming Jews feel an
obligation to continue one of its most time honored customs.
Those who feel no affinity with
either faith needn't even consider the question!
Alwiley says :
Iam not suprised by the majority of replies of readers: it only goes to show the ignorance of American people!they accuse others of being :primitive,idiots,bararic
which shows how much esteem they have for other cultures & civilizations which go back to thousands of years & theirs is only about 200 years !! Circumcision is a relgious duty for over a billion of people .It has beeen proven medically it is healthier and protects againstseveral diseases and not only gives beter & more pleasurable sex to men but their penises are more attractive2 women and gives them more joy !!and men look more masculine and beautiful with circumcised,,,,and they don't keep dirt and bacteria like un circmsised penises !!So learn & be more educted before attacking others out of ignorance and arrogance !! be more civilized ??
Let's celebrate female circumsion. Let's have a ceremony for that too!!!!!
Dr. Enger said, "What? Circumcision...less feeling? Rats!"
I would want to see more study about circumcision. It seem logical to leave the foreskin in place. Religion is a very strong motivation and billions of people will not change, even if it makes sense. That is the nature of faith. I do wonder why God went there for the convenant. By the way Paul the Apostle was not telling christians to keep from being circumcised. He was talking about Grace and the freedom it brings to the christian. Not to worry about rituals, but to embrace the freedom of a personal relationship with the creator.
I am circumcised and I think I lean to the uncircumcised side of the issue. If it is not unhealthy, leave it the way it was before the convenant. But for faith, do not do it.
As a wife, mother, and gradmother (of a future grandson), I see absolutely NO reason for this most unneccesary procedure. My husband taught my son, and my son will teach his son how to remain clean. I will be happy that all three of them will remain intact, as the good Lord made them.
Female and male circumcision are NOT even close to being comparable. If they circumcised males they way they do females in some islamic countries they would be cutting OFF the penis completely. And note the link at the bottom of this article "Circumcision may reduce the risk of HIV infection".
When my son was born our OB/GYN called circumcision a "barbaric ritual" and said that the only reason people not of the Jewish faith ever did it was because dads want their sons' tool to look like their own.
I figured what the heck and didn't have my kid circumcised. He feels bad in the locker room - but most of us won't be in locker rooms for 3/4 of our lives.
Sigh They needlessly modify a child's body without his consent and then celebrate the pain and suffering they caused? Seems cruel and inhuman to me....
Female circumcision is not the same as cutting off the penis. You are talking about the most extreme case of genital mutilation. Simple female circumcision is removing the clitorial hood. Not the clitorus or the vaginal lips. There is absolutely no reason for male circumcison and the studies constantly quoted about reducing HIV are from Africa where there is very little water for bathing. Notice they only did those studies on the men, why not do studies on women that have been circumcised to see if they have less infections.
Circumcised men are more attractive to most women who think they look cleaner. Also the ladies I know like oral sex better if the partner is circumcised. Since most men are cut how do those who aren't
cut feel taking gym showers or in locker rooms. Like second class citizens? .....
Since most men in upper social classes are circumcised, the cut becomes a social distinction. I can only think of one guy in our fraternity who was natural and his nickname became "skin." How'd you like to have someone yell "Hey Skin
your Tri Delt date is on line one?"
Poor guy spent couple of years explaining how he got his nickname.
Understand there is a great doctor in Atlanta that does beautiful circumcisions and also corrects many that were botched. Patients swear there is little pain in his process. He even lets wives and girl friends watch if they want to
see the process. His webb site shows examples of his work,,,
On a more personal note:
Is a foreskin valuable, or a useless accidental appendage ?
My foreskin is hugely valuable in my lovemaking with my partner, and is an essential element in my sexual technique. It is hard to explain without a diagram how evolution has designed it to function.
It is not only a cover to retain sensitivity.
It completely alters the mechanics of first penetration. Rather like the caterpillar tracks on a tank, it delays the need for any sliding until the penis is half way in. The glans only unsheaths itself when it is well inside where there is the best lubrication. Until then the only sliding is on the inside surfaces of the foreskin.
Very hard to understand or communicate without a demonstration :)
I suppose evolutionarily it gave a reproductive advantage in allowing intercourse in a more hurried situation and with no possibility of discomfort to either party through low lubrication levels.
It makes lovemaking so very much easier, and more relaxed. My partner can comfortably accept me whenever she feels mentally right, and let her body catch up at its leisure.
We really couldn't contemplate its loss.
But of course, if you've never experienced any of this, no amount of words can let you really appreciate it.
Depriving a baby of this is in my opinion, literally a crime, which should be prosecuted exactly as cutting off its hand would be.
I am circumcised and I am very happy that I am. As a gay man I can tell you that I find foreskin very unnatractive. I also have had uncut friends who would have to wash their penis a lot during the hot days when they would swet because it would smell bad. By being circumcised it is far more convenient. I would not want to be working on a hot day and having to go to the bathroom all the time to wash my penis so I wouldn't smell bad. I also think that oral sex with an uncut penis is revolting. I would rather mine look nice and cut than looking like an ant eater. The head is the best part of a penis so why cover it up?
all i keep reading is that circumcision makes for an attractive penis, since when did a vagina become so attractive and when you're having intercourse how often are we looking at each others genitals. i believe god made us all the way we are for a reason and a foreskin obviously serves a purpose. i have never been able to enjoy the pleasure of an intact penis but after all the reading i have done i understand the extra pleasure it could bring which is why i am talking my husband into restoration!
Hello everyone. Well there is some serious debate on this topic. So please allow me to shed some light on this subject.
First I would like to tackle this comment about children whom feel uncomfortable with not being circumcised. This issue is due to American teachings that say you are supposed to be circumcised. I feel this is a religious matter. For this reason the school system shouldn't comment on this subject (as the American school system is NOT allowed to speak on religious matters “Separation of Church and State”). Next I would also like to counter the comment about how an uncircumcised penis is supposedly more attractive or arousing to women. I'm not a pervert, but in my experience when watching pornography it seems rather apparent that most men have not been circumcised. This may explain there larger than average appendages. So when posing this question of whether a women prefers a circumcised penis to an uncircumcised penis, also ask if they prefer a larger or smaller penis. Now to further explain this observation: To make it simple more skin equals more potential growth less skin equals well you figure it out.
Finally there has also been a lot of talk about evolution, evolutionary, and last but not least evolutionarily. Well let’s go back to that root word evolution. Every one of us knows what evolution is and how it works, so if the human body was not meant to have foreskin it wouldn't. Evolution would have inherently removed it had it been useless, or detrimental to the body. In fact many people don't know that circumcision is only practiced widely in the U.S. as a medical procedure rather than a religious belief. Please don't attack a person's entire religion because of this belief. That is a very prejudicial thing to do and as such is WRONG in society and nearly every religion.
i resent the fact that anyone would say that circumsizing a penis is cruel, because i had my son circumcised when he was born and it is not barbaric at all. yes we may be teaching our children that it is more attractive to have a circumsized penis, so why torment them to the embarassment of not circumcizing their penis? this is done when they are very little, they will never remember the pain nor is it painful for very long. and someone said that leave it because thats the way that god made us. well god made us with an appendix inside of us, but does it have any purpose? NO!! so that arguement doesnt make any sense. this has nothing to do with religion, it is the choice of the parents and it will always be the choice of the parents. IT IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WE ARE FREE AND WILL ALWAYS BE. this will never change, get it through your heads
people are so uneducated it's not always about religion it's a choice sometimes it seems being cleaner there isn't a flap of skin to clean around if i have a boy i would do it without a doubt there is no proof that this procedure is tramatic for a child it's like saying a broken arm is going to have a traumatic effect on a child later in life get over it it's a personal chocie
As a father-to-be, I've been doing a lot of web surging on the topic, and I have to say that I wish there were less hysteria in these discussions. Do I think the practice is barbaric? What does that word even mean?
As a circumsized adult, I can say rather emphatically, that it doesn't take the joy out of sex. Would sex be better if I weren't cicumsized? How would I know? How would anyone know? These discussions are just silly!
No, of course, I don't remember being circumsized, and the idea of lasting trauma seems silly to me. On the other hand, is that really where I want to draw the line--that as long as something doesn't cause long-term trauma, I should be okay with it? No, as one poster said, a broken arm won't cause lasting trauma in anyone. But would any parent actually wish a broken arm on a son?
So, anyway, this is a difficult decxision to figure out, and I wish people would stop calling each other names, and have a bit more intelligent interchange.
One word: smegma.
My partner is circumcised, and personally I find it more attractive and clean.
No guy I have ever met who was circumcised as an infant can remember it or is emotionally scarred from it. Also, many men struggle from too much sensitivity, and being circumcised helps build up endurance.
I'm an older gay man who was circumcised sometime after birth to correct phimosis. I have never harboured resentment towards my parents for "doing it to me", nor myself regretted not having a foreskin. I can't imagine having, and certainly not needing more "sensitivity". As a gay man into oral sex, I've been "up close and personal" with scores of penises, and it's clear that circumcised ones must be easier to keep clean, as I've never been revolted by the smell of a cut penis, but was consistently revolted by the stench from uncut men's penises. In fact, I found only two that I COULD stomach. Many uncut dudes say here how easy it is to keep it clean and that smegma is not an issue. Could've fooled me! The uncut commentators here are presumably str8 with no experience on which to base their assertions that uncut penises are "easy" to keep clean. Further to sensitivity: a buddy of mine had a loose, floppy foreskin like a collapsed five-man tent and by that age of 24 had had enough of it. I quizzed him at length on the sensitivity/enjoyment issue after the surgery and he said he didn't notice a difference. How many men here can make that comparison?? Should you be slamming circumcision on the basis of a PRESUMED loss of sensitivity or extent of enjoyment of sex? As to the screams heard in hospital halls when babies are circumcised......My own experience with doctors is that many are outright sadists. I had a hernia repaired with only a local, and the operation started as soon as the surgeon passed the syringe back to the nurse and accepted the scalpel in the same motion. I screamed my guts out but the bastard wouldn't stop and wait for the freezing to take effect. If you decide to have your son circumcised, DEMAND that the doctor freeze the penis AND allow the freezing to take effect BEFORE he starts cutting. Granted, boys have no recollection of their circumcisions, but that does NOT justify causing the baby unnecessary pain. Also, those who rant here in opposition sound poorly informed and their abusiveness is unwarranted and inappropriate. Suggesting circumcision has no benefits is absurd. I'm on the computer daily searching the medical literature on all manner of topics and see reports that suggest otherwise on a regular basis.
I'm a circumcized male, but I don't have a strong view either way, but to whomever said:
> To circumcize is to take all the joy out of sex (for the male at least).
I think maybe you are doing it wrong -- 'cause I find it quite a lot of joy in it.
This comment is for: Gord R. - Winnipeg, who posted...
"I'm an older gay man who was circumcised..."
THANK YOU AND WELL SAID!!! You took my words out of my mouth. I am a woman who has had contact with both circumcised and uncircumcised men. The difference is ZILCH when it comes to penetration, but when it's time for oral sex.... hmph... I refuse to go down on a man that isn't circumcised! I couldn't stomach it! Men who are circumcised do not have a bad smell at all but those who aren't... eeeewww!!! You should make sure you wash it off or rinse it or something before you try to bed your girl. I mean, really! I would never allow a man to go down on me if I wasn't "fresh and clean" and you men should return us the favor.
I also heard that women who have partners who are not circumcised have a higher chance of cervical cancer! THAT sounds like a great reason for a man to get circumcised to me!
Why are they calling us the circs primitives? The uncircs look more primitives if anything! It is not mutilation at all! If we all stayed the way God wanted us to stay then we should not find cures for cancer, HIV, AIDS, and everything else and let us die without help! We are humans and if there i a solution to problems such as Phimosis, Smegma and Penile Cancer then be sure I want it, if it only takes a simple snip! I had my two sons circed at birth, I have only seen my nephews who have not been snipped go through many health problems and humiliations at school (Even though the first matters most)! All have gotten circumcised, 3 by their own decision as adults, and are now very happy with it. As a Frat I never saw an uncircumcised penis amongst my brothers, but I remember in High School some immigrant kids were not circumcised and got teased all the time. The girls always broke up with them because of their extra foreskin! I think it is ridiculous, but when I saw an uncut...it made my stomach hurt, it was very unattractive I must say. I have a lot of joy and satisfaction and A LOT OF SENSITIVITY in my beautiful bare glans and I love being CLEAN CUT thank you very much! Girls (And boys of course!) don't want no minute men!
If we are supposed to leave children "as god intended," then lets stop correcting hypo- and hyperspadia. We consider them birth defects, but if god intended them to have those defects, then we should leave them alone. The infants can not tell us that they want them "corrected" and by some posters' arguments, we should not force them to have the surgery.
This whole argument is about personal choice. Stop the name calling and keep your personal choice to your self. I was circumcised as an infant and I have no memory of it and I am glad that I had it done as an infant.
I have no problems with chafing, or penetration during sex and if my glans is less sensitive now because I have no foreskin, good I like being able to last longer during sex. Best of all, my penis is low maintenance, just wash and go. No funky bacteria deposits.
Watch a procedure, it is not barbaric and it is very quick and clean. If you want to see a barbaric surgical procedure, try watching a total hip replacement. Noe there is a rough procedure and there are a lot of people lined up to get that procedure done.
Not to offend any orthopedic surgeons out there, I say barbaric in that it is a rough procedure. In no way do I mean to imply that it is privative or thoughtless.
I've been intimate with 2 men in my life. Now, these 2 men may be different in personality, however, as far as I'm concerned 99% of men love sex.
My first partner was uncircumsized, and a virgin when we began having intercourse. For some reason, he didn't want to have intercourse very often. Perhaps it's because he didn't receive the pleasure he thought from it. Also, in the 2 years that I was with this partner, I would constantly be treating yeast infections and other vaginal infections, due to "well sometimes I just can't get it that clean." And as for the smell, I really can't even compare. The uncut penis always smelled of a sweaty gym sock.
My current partner is circumsized, and he has to practically beg me for love making he loves it so much. I know he's always clean, and I've never had any problems with infections or any other problems in the 3 years we've been together. So I know the issue is not my love making ability. There really is no comparison.
So perhaps the problem is NOT circumsizing. For a few of you it seems you've had someone properly show you how to clean yourselves. However, it seems that there may be some parents out there who are not ready to teach such things to their little boys, and so they hope they'll learn on their own, and the problems this can cause can be quite damaging.
Whatever your choice may be, because in the end, as a parent, it is YOUR choice, if you choose to keep your child uncut, please, I'm begging you, please, do not be too timid and shy to talk about it with your son, and about treatments and sexual activity, whether or not you believe they are engaging in it. And if you do circumsize your son, be gentle, and demand a freezing before the procedure takes place.
And to conclude, I really think something so personal should be left to the decision of the parents, and not something that should be forced on people because some people do not feel it is correct. It's the same concept as you being strong in your faith, and someone telling you, "No, you are wrong! You can't believe in that, because THIS is what you have to believe it!"
I was circumcised a few weeks ago and I am in my late twenties. Foreskin is embarrasing, high maintenance and can become irritated and swollen during sex. In the military when I could not bathe, it could produce foul order. I paid to have this done as an adult and am 110% happier, more confident and perfect. The only emotional scarring that can occur in boys is due to non-circumcision and post infancy experiences. Ask around...
Two things: water, soap. If EVERYONE would just STOP, the uncirced would become come the norm, and eventually it would be a non-issue. My husband is not circed, my two sons are not circed. Again, water and soap. we have an abundance of it here in America....
I have done quite a bit of research as I have twice had issues with irritation of the foreskin and glans of my penis that seemed to be directly related to smegma buildup and intercourse.
I think that this blog has been victimized by an illiterate troll. I can't believe the ignorant approach that many of the replies have taken in response to some of the more well thought out opinions and factual representations of the differences between a circumcised and an uncircumcised penis.
My wife has related to me that even after a shower in which I concentrated on cleaning my penis and scrotum area, there was still a slight hint of the smell of smegma. Smegma buildup is a result of the combination of bacteria that collects in the foreskin and urine/semen that hangs around after sex and going to the restroom. I, for one, am seriously contemplating getting circumcised. Three reasons: I imagine that I won't have that smell buildup as often (I live in Texas and it gets hot here), I'll be cleaner in general and from comments that my wife has made, I will most likely receive more oral sex.
I don't agree with many of the opinions expresses on this blog. Fortunately, I live in America and it matters what I think about anything. Coincidently, it also matters what everyone else in the country thinks as well. If people wish to hide behind a wall of anonymity and show off their ignorance, they are more than welcome to.
If you ignore the eroneous commentators, they will most likely go away.
I regard circumscision as a totally unnecessary procedure akin to genital mutilation. If you are Jewish or Muslim then the decision is a manifestation of your faith and the decision is automatic. Others have said that it reduces the risk for HIV/AIDS. For that why not practice safe sex??? I think the the reason for the resurgence for circumcision goes back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Circumcision was thought to prevent masturbation. Perhaps no act that humans perform has been associated with so many undesirable consequences as masturbation: blindness, feeblemindedness and insanity. What is happening now is simply an extension of that attitude. In the interests of full disclosure let me say that I am a white male, hetero, a father and uncircumcised. Before our son was born we were urged to have him circumscised as soon as possible after birth. The rationale given was so he doesn't feel differently from other boys. So my son should have an unncesessary operation so that he doesn't feel different from other boys who have had the same unnecessary surgery!!! I go to the gym frequently and in the locker room I don't feel different or self-conscious from the men who are circumscised. The foreskin is not a vestigal organ like an appendix. The foreskin has many nerve endings which contribute to a man's pleasure. As far as what women prefer, I have never been with a woman who found me undesirable because I am intact. If however, a woman did so, then I think that I am with the wrong woman and should move on.
Thank you for letting me comment.
So, circumcising an infant is wrong, but what about parents who baptize their children when they're infants? And female circumcisions are compleatly different from male; the female circumcision involves removing everything except the vaginal opening and the urethra.
Male circumcision is an irreversible surgical procedure. An infant who has been baptized can at a later time renounce his faith thus undoing what his parents did and follow another faith. I regard female circumcision also as genital mutilation with no rational justification. If I had a daughter, I would never consent to her being circumscised.
"Male circumcision is genital mutilation performed on unconsenting children. It is a violation of human rights and an assault on the defenceless. It reduces sexual pleasure for both partners. It's has been investigated by all the major medical authorities in US and Europe, and they have unanimously declared proven health benefits to be virtually NIL.
In the US there is a thriving market in neonatal foreskins, which are paid for by weight (think about it), with a typical one netting $100 for the doctor, who never reveals this to the parents. They are used in very high price anti-aging creams ($800 per tube). I didn't believe this either but if you dig on google with care and intelligence you will find it's true.
This is a religiously loaded topic, and there is a steady flow of propaganda trying to establish health benefits. Any new studies should be looked at very carefully due to this biassed agenda."
do you seriously think the FDA would allow foreskins to be in products used by people as a cosmetic? research has also confirmed that having a foreskin is neither healthier or unhealthier than being circumsized. as for the pleasure thing, thats completely untrue. in the end, whether a penis is circumsized or not, an erection looks exactly the same and it feels the same sensations. women could probably care less, though circumsized penises are more attractive. have you ever seen or heard of a dildo having been specified as circumsized or uncircumsized? we generally get the same amount of pleasure no matter what. unless the guy just sucks in bed.
The debate is healthy. Circumcision has its merits for the lazy persons who cannot keep themselves clean. If the fore-skin was vestigeal then it would have been done away with by nature! If you teach hygiene then it is unnecessary! Teach hygiene right from the beginning and do not undergo 'cuts' to satisfy some people who are tied down by tradition or religion.
I have been circumsized since birth and I dont know what all the fuss is about. if you think you lose sensitivity during sex you're an idiot. I love sex! And if I were anymore sensitive I would have a hard time pleasing my wife. Also if you think the foreskin doesnt carry disease you are also an idiot. the foreskin is a place for bacteria to grow. And cause disease. They reccomend washing youre hands fifteen to twenty times a day. does anyone know how many times they need to wash there foreskin? Urine and sweat are the enemy and I know a lot of people wash there hands after urination. But I absoulutly know not one male who washes his forskin after urination. Dont believe me look around a public bathroom and you will see. I am 47 years old never had a forskin issue why because my mother had me circumsized at birth which will leave no ill effects on any child. How can i say that you cant miss what you never had. and as far as the mutilation part goes ask just about any woman out there and they will tell you, a circumsized penis is much better looking, than one that looks like it just lost ten pounds and hasnt lost the excess skin yet yes excess skin just think about it.
This whole deal about circumcision is just crazy!!! People calling each other names, saying their status or believes are right... Get a hold of yourself. If you are cut and you like it, then fine, but do not attack the one that are not. If you are uncut and you like it, the same applies to you. Studies showing "benifits" or "dangers" are just fake and false, leaning toward their prefered status. Most Americans, Muslims and Jews are cut, and their fine. The rest of the world is uncut and their are fine also. Saying that one looks cleaner and healthier than the other is just crazy and stupid too. Just getting the procedure to avoid washing there is not "civilized". Why do we cut our lips to avoid that wet saliva in our mouths, that produces bacterias too!!! So don't, do not attack other calling then barbaric or uncivilized, it is just a penis that you, and only you handle and see every day.
This may have already been pointed out but everyone keeps saying that God put it there so why remove it?
Has anyone read the Bible? Geneisi 17:10 "...This is my covenant with you and your decedents after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised..."
So yes, he put it there but he also said for it to be removed. There MUST be a reason behind that, right?
Somebody said, "Every one of us knows what evolution is and how it works, so if the human body was not meant to have foreskin it wouldn't."
Clearly this poster has no idea about evolution or useless body parts as we still have appendixes,(which only exist to become infected),Wisdom teeth, pinky toes, the coccyx (do YOU have a tail??) and even most body hair (really, what purpose DOES body hair have now that we can wear clothing or do you NOT shave your face, armpits, legs, etc every day?)
In my experience, a less sensitive penis is generally appreciated... And the guys I've talked to who had waited until atleast puberty to be circumcised appreciated the lack of "maintenance", i.e. smegma, uncomfortable times when they had to pause a second to go rinse off under the foreskin, etc. I am circumcised and don't see how one way or the other would make sex soo much better. Most men I know appreciate it, this one does too.
I regard circumscision as a totally unnecessary procedure akin to genital mutilation. If you are Jewish or Muslim then the decision is a manifestation of your faith and the decision is automatic. Others have said that it reduces the risk for HIV/AIDS. For that why not practice safe sex??? I think the the reason for the resurgence for circumcision goes back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Circumcision was thought to prevent masturbation. Perhaps no act that humans perform has been associated with so many undesirable consequences as masturbation: blindness, feeblemindedness and insanity. What is happening now is simply an extension of that attitude. In the interests of full disclosure let me say that I am a white male, hetero, a father and uncircumcised. Before our son was born we were urged to have him circumscised as soon as possible after birth. The rationale given was so he doesn't feel differently from other boys. So my son should have an unncesessary operation so that he doesn't feel different from other boys who have had the same unnecessary surgery!!! I go to the gym frequently and in the locker room I don't feel different or self-conscious from the men who are circumscised. The foreskin is not a vestigal organ like an appendix. The foreskin has many nerve endings which contribute to a man's pleasure. As far as what women prefer, I have never been with a woman who found me undesirable because I am intact. If however, a woman did so, then I think that I am with the wrong woman and should move on.
Thank you for letting me comment.
I find the uncut penis very unattractive. I'm in my late 40s and this is the first time I've ever been in a relationship with someone not circumcised. The sex is fine. However, I have reoccurring bacterial vaginosis when having sex with him. Two of my doctors have said that it may have something to do with the bacteria under the uncut skin. He washes but it doesn't seem to help a lot.
His uncut penis is an issue for us. Not only due to the BV, but I won't have oral sex with him. I'm afraid to have him in my mouth when his penis causes infections in my vagina. I also don't like to fondle his penis because the skin moves. It freaks me out. His penis looks like it belongs on an animal. I look at it and think dog, horse, etc.
I really like him a lot and we may have to end our relationship because of this. He refuses to be circumcised at this age. He said it was never a problem for the other women, so he sees no reason to do it now.
If I had a son, I would definitely have him circumcised. Primarily because it’s cleaner and he will have fewer problems when he is older.
I would hate to be in an aide in a nursing home or a man’s wife and have to clean under that skin when he can’t do it for himself. Ugh! It’s limp and it’s uncut.
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To the woman who finds the uncircumcised penis unattractive, I will say get over it. The foreskin of the penis performs many important functions necessary to the sexual health and pleasure of men. It's a pity you don't see the beauty of the uncut penis. As for the problems you have been having because of your boyfriend's uncut penis, I suggest you get another opinion and make sure that your boyfriend thoroughly cleans himself. It could be that the medical problem may not be cured by circumscision and thus your boyfriend may undergo this irreversible surgery for nothing. In the spirit of full disclosure, let me say that I am a hetero male, uncut and if a woman could not accept me as an unscircumscised male, then I am involved with the wrong woman and that would be the end of us as a couple. I also wonder if on some level your dislike of uncut men and your medical problem may be related in some symbiotic way and that your problem may be a manifestation of your dislike of uncut men. No man should be circumscised and I am glad that there is an active movement to end this barbaric practice. As far as aesthetics, it is regretable you find the uncut penis unattractive and will hope you change your views. But you must accept that fewer and fewer men are being circumscised and hopefully this practice will be ended forever.
Frank, you are probably right about us (me and this guy) being with the wrong person sexually. My doctors (GYN and internist) have said that maybe my body just needs to get use to his bacteria. It’s been a year and I still haven’t. I continue to have reoccurring bacterial vaginosis (never had it with anyone else, just him). I don’t see any beauty in the uncut penis and am too fearful of what might be lurking under its skin.
I’m sure it has something to do with the circumcised penis being all I’ve known. I’ve seen some beautiful ones and had no problem fondling and admiring them. If a study were done, I believe the results would show that the majority of women prefer an intact penis, not a turtleneck, not an elephant hose, or any other names I’ve heard it call.
Until this man, fortunately, the men I’d met were part of the culture where men were circumcised. We had great sex! I guess you don’t miss what you’ve never had. Having an intact penis didn’t see to interfere with their performance at all.
I found this article interesting. It seems to support my thinking. Women's Preferences for Penile Circumcision in Sexual Partners: http://www.geocities.com/hotsprings/2754/womenpref.html
Oops, I wrote the wrong thing. I mean uncut penis.
If a study were done, I believe the results would show that the majority of women prefer an UNCUT penis, not a turtleneck, not an elephant hose, or any other names I’ve heard it call.
Until this man, fortunately, the men I’d met were part of the culture when men were circumcised. We had great sex! I guess you don’t miss what you’ve never had. Having an UNCUT penis didn’t see to interfere with their performance at all.
I’m still writing the wrong thing, I meant CIRCUMCISED penises.
If a study were done, I believe the results would show that the majority of women prefer a CIRCUMCISED penis, not a turtleneck, not an elephant hose, not an anteater or any other names I have heard the uncut penis call.
Until this man, fortunately, the men I had been with were part of the culture where men were CIRCUMCISED. We had great sex! I guess you do not miss what you have never had. Having an CIRCUMCISED penis did not seem to interfere with any of these guy’s performance or pleasure.
It is unfortunate that you feel this way about the uncircumscised penis. However, that is the way men were created; it is natural and serves a valid purpose. I very much doubt that a man with any self-respect and in his right mind would be circuscised simply because a woman thought the uncut penis was unattractive. Circumscision is becoming less and less prelevant as more men are asserting themselves and becoming more aware of how barbaric a practice this is; especially when it is performed on an infant without his knowledge. The majority of men who have been circumscised as adults did notice a decrease in sensation once it was performed. As a hetero male, if a woman found me unattractive because I was uncut, I would not hesitate to end the relationship and move on. So far this has not happened as awareness increases. Questions have been raised about the hygenic advantages of circumscision. Two points need to be made: It is very easy to maintain cleaniness requiring very little additional effort, secondly if a man is unhygenic with regards to his penis then he is probably unhygenic elsewhere and why would any self-respecting woman want such a man anyway. I hope your views change given the facts but you will need to adjust your thinking regarding circumscision.
you guys, lets just stick to the facts. everyone can have their own opinions, but nobody can denounce the facts. the facts are that a circumcised penis is cleaner, has less of a chance of an infection, and is overall better and healthier for any man in the long run. and its not "self mutilation" or a "violation of human rights" to have your child circumcised, i mean come on, really? i like to stick with the facts. some people...
I am responding to anonymous above and the 'facts' as he puts it:
the uncircumcised is cleaner if left to itself, but this is true of any body part. We use our bodies all the time and one of the responsibilities we have is to keep them clean after use. Normal hygeine should be standard. There is no problem at all keeping the penis clean in the normal course of hygeine which is every man's responsibility. Less prone to infection? If we men practiced normal hygeine many infections would not occur. As far as infection from sexual activity is concerned; the best way to avoid STD/HIV is to practice safe sex. Being circumscised is no guarantee that you will not get an STD or HIV. Others have said it circumscised penis looks better. Highly debatable and a matter of personal preference.
Has any parent ever thought "It isn't my body, so it isn't my choice."? My parents didn't heed any thoughts like that and now I am mutilated. The doctor botched it and I hate it.
Cut and like it, fine. Uncut and like it, fine. Cut and not happy, nothing we can do but get even with the world.
I have read several opinions about how circumsision is no longer necessary in the U.S. because of the quality of our health standards and environmental conditions. This makes the assumption that those standards will always remain unchanged. When I was in the Air Force, I was temporarily deployed to Egypt. While I was there, a fellow airman named Charlie picked up an antibiotic resistant infection around his foreskin. They ended up flying him to Weisbaden Air Force Base in Germany for an emergency adult circumcision. They were truly worried that he might have lost his whole penis if they hadn't circumsised him when they did. They determined that he had probably contracted the infection by showering in the poor quality water of Egypt. The rest of us deployed there (who were mostly circumsised) didn't contract any such infetions. Don't assume that an idea is outdated and unnecessary just because you live in the U.S. You may want to travel to some other parts of the world someday! Or the water quality in the U.S. might decline.
my 14 year old nephew is undone and he says all the time he would have it done now if not for the pain however wishes his mother had done it when he was born because he gets frequent infections even after following very specific instructions from his urologist and he says that he feels like it is inconvienient when he needs to "move stuff outta the way" to urinate. i had my son done at birth he didnt even dry not for the shot and not for the procedure he healed very very well and i am sure if he were more than one he would tell you not having to worry about oozy nasty infections from birth all the way through out his life is a fair trade up from the alternative its like a tattoo do it or dont do it its a modification like putting a new seat cover in your car not mutilation and who cares what anyone else thinks as long as your comfortable in your own body...and ps i have dated in my life men of both sides and i admit the circumsized man is my choice preferance and he seems to have a much better time than the uncircumsized man does
I was circumcised as an adult. I know the difference between the two. My verdict - circ is much much better. Sex is better. When I was uncirc, the hyper-sensitivity of the head burns. The head was moist, soft and smelly. Oral sex? never mind. Pubic hair getting stuck and pulled by the foreskin. I have brown complexion, penis is dark but glan was pink. Everytime I get an accidental wood, can't stand straight. Cannot have sex when girl is not fully wet. Needed a lot of ky. Ejaculation was faster. I had to bathe everyday to keep it clean. We had a 3-day camping/hiking no bathing. I itched because of smegma accumulation. stunk a lot. My white briefs always had yellow stain in the front. (drops of urine stuck in the foreskin.) I had to wear underwear always or risk the foreskin stucked in the zipper. Overall, uncirc is dirty, smelly, ugly,
BEING CIRC is the opposite of everything I mentioned about uncirc. Clean, hard, longer sex, did I lose sensitivity? On the glans, yes but I do not miss that burning sensation. The sensitivity is different, better and deeper. Oral sex - they love. Appearance... sexy. No more yellow stain, no more white cheese, no more foul smell, no more hyper-sensitivity. Head color is becoming even. Most of all, circ added lentgh.
Considering getting circumcised as an adult. Sex now can be very painful as the foreskin pulls on the glans and can become inflamed. The comment about the foreskin helping with insertion can not be further from the truth. A) If you are fully erect the foreskin is forced down past the head of the penis, B) If you are not fully erect the foreskin is extremely sticky and will not "slide" in and peel back as they state. "Hygiene" is not as simple as you think. To truly clean the penis you would have to wash your penis every time you urinate as urine sticks to the foreskin adding to the odors that build up in it. I don't know anyone that works a full time job that has the ability to do that. It's not as simple as simply pulling the skin back while peeing, as the foreskin being attached to the glans forces the opening to actually be a long slit rather than a small hole. This forces the stream to be a long narrow line that splatters everywhere. For those of you saying you should "leave it up to the child" I tell you to grow a pair and have the kid circumcised. I wish my parents would have done it when I was born so that I didn't have to go through the pain and time off work to get it done. The benefits and cleanliness of a circumcised penis vastly out ways any benefits (to which I can not name one) of being uncircumcised.
Its sometime dissappointing getting to America and knowning that the Americans are ignorant of several millions of things.One of the best gift you can give to your male child is circumcission,even the American women both black and white testified to the originality and enjoyment derived cos of clean attractive penile head doing the job better than the other.pls.circumcise your male child so that he can pray for you.People here move out,learn from other cultures and belief dont lean on your own strait understanding.
My boyfriend is not circumsized and is the first uncircumsized man I have ever been with. Sex is still enjoyable for me and I don't mind giving him oral sex either. He is actually cleaner and has better hygiene than most circumsized men I've seen!!
I do not agree with the statements that have been made by many others that the circumcised penis is cleaner the uncircumcised. Uncut men are just as clean. However, it does require more effort to keep clean than being uncut. To say that a man should be circumscized solely for the sake of cleanliness is absurd. It does not take that much extra effort to maintain cleanliness. If a man is unclean, it is due solely to laziness and lack of consideration for his partner and he is probably careless in other areas of his hygiene. If so why would any woman want to be involved with such a man in her right mind. For the sake of full disclosure, I am a hetero, uncircumcised male and did not allow my son to be circumscised. The cleanliness argument is simply a smokescreen to hide more sinister motives on the part of those who favor this barbaric practice.
FYI, to all you folks that have commented on circumcision. An un-circumcised penis is hideous, gross and dirty no matter how often you bathe. I was with a man for awhile that wasn't circumcised, and he showered up to 4 times a day to keep the smell down and stay clean, regardless though I ended up with all kinds of infections from him and now to this day I cannot conceive. Mothers, out there, please, circumcise you're sons if you dont want them ridiculed when there older!! This is America
Circumcized and 20. I guess the way I see it is if you people wanna ride the "this is America!" bandwagon, let your kid choose when he comes of age. You people assume you know what's best when it seems like nobody really knows at all. There's no distinctive proof that either is beneficial or detrimental. They both have their pros and cons. This discussion is absurd. You might as well debate about race, religion and politics, the three most pointless things that everyone cares about. Point is: get off your high horse and have some damn sense people.
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