This is a wonderful article that sums up exactly why circumcision is 100% wrong. If you care about children at all, you must read this!
Why I'm Against Infant Circumcision
by Michelle Monroe on
I’m sure many of you are aware of the fact that I am strongly against infant circumcision – excluding when it is medically necessary. Some of you are probably even tired of the websites I’ve been posting on my page. I have been posting these websites hoping that you guys would read them and find credibility in them. I have heard speculation that I would most likely reach more people if I instead wrote out my reasons. I have believed for a long time that people would rather take the word of someone else over mine, so I have often given the words of other people in place of my own. Well, now, here are mine. After this, I will make an effort to post less links about infant circumcision – but will not stop. I want to keep the awareness of others up and try to help change in this country, as well as help those who cannot help themselves – baby boys.
Other people fight for the rights for baby boys to have bodily integrity because someone has to stand up for their right. They cannot stand up for it themselves. It doesn’t matter that he isn’t “our kid”. Those kids starving aren’t our kids. But we care. Those kids being abused by their parents aren’t our kids. But we care. Those kids being neglected aren’t our kids, but we care. The lack of relation is irrelevant. Without people fighting for their rights, change can never happen. Some people may think that that it’s not a big deal. People used to think that women’s rights weren’t a big deal. People used to think animal rights weren’t a big deal. Movements were started by a few people who thought something was a big deal when the larger population didn’t.
I am going to start with, and keep this in mind;
no medical association in the world recommends infant circumcision. Not one. Not even ours.
My first and most important reason against infant circumcision is that it is his penis, not yours. He may be your son, but that is his body. What belongs more to a person than their body? What is more personal? What is easier to violate? Nothing. The choice should belong to him. If he wants to get circumcised, he always can. However, once he is circumcised, that is not something that can be fixed. It is a permanent, irreversible surgery performed on a non-consenting individual.
Some people have made the argument “what if he later wishes that he were circumcised?” My answer to that is that he is ungrateful for being given a choice instead of having someone else force their choice upon him. Also, he can always fix the situation – if he wants to be circumcised, he can be. I also have to counter with “what if you circumcise him and he later wishes that he weren’t?” Then what? Tough shit? In once circumstance, the situation has a remedy. The other doesn’t. Some people choose infant circumcision because they want to spare the pain as an adult or elderly person. Many insist that the procedure would be worse as an adult. First, this incorrectly assumes that circumcision is inevitable later in life. Even in the unlikely event that circumcision is necessary as an adult, which is worse? At least as an adult, he can get anesthetic as to not feel any of the surgery. Instead of taking about ten minutes, as infant circumcision does, it takes approximately an hour and a half. The healing time is about the same.
Some people have also said that it is a personal decision for the parents. I disagree. It is personal for your son. It is impersonal to the parent. The definition of person is as follows, as taken from Merriam Webster Dictionary –
1.) Of, relating to, or affecting a particular person: PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL Ex. Personal financial gain. Personal ambition.
2.) Done in person without the intervention of another; also: proceeding from a single person.
As you can see, the very definition refutes that argument.
Others will use tradition as an argument. Why is tradition so important? Because it’s tradition, it has to be a good thing? It used to originally be tradition to not be circumcised!
Some people have used religion as an argument. Do you believe that it is okay to force religion onto kids? Your kids? You don’t believe in their choice to choose their religion? What if they don’t want to be Jewish or Muslim (the two religions that circumcise, if I’m not mistaken)? Or, what if they do but don’t want to be a part of that practice? There are many groups forming where the people are Jewish and/or Muslim and are taking a stand against infant circumcision. Just because it is a part of the religion doesn’t mean it has to be continuously followed.
Another argument that I have heard, that I personally believe to be ridiculous, are fathers saying that they want their sons to look like them. Why does it matter if he is going to look like you? Are you two going to marvel at how each other’s penises look so much alike? How happy you two are that you’re both the same? Chances are no. You’re not. And if you are… that’s pretty disturbing. In my opinion, anyways.
I have also heard the statement “circumcised penises look better”. The only reason people in the US tend to think that circumcised penises look better is because they have been the norm in our country since the 1900s. If you look elsewhere in the world, such as Europe, quite the opposite is true. Uncircumcised penises are the norm and the women there consider them to look better. Over 80% of the world is uncircumcised. We are the largest country to do nonmedical and nonreligious circumcisions in the world. Really, we’re the weirdos.
One reason I have heard for circumcising baby boys is because circumcising them reduces their chances of getting UTIs and STDs. This is true – it does. Ever so slightly. Ever, ever so slightly. The chance of getting a UTI to begin with is 1%. As for getting an STD, if he has sex with someone who has an STD, 999/1000 (and I’m being generous there), he’s still going to get that STD.
A popular myth as to circumcise a boy is because a circumcised penis is a cleaner penis. This is not true. When a boy is born, his foreskin is firmly attached to the glands of his penis. Think of the attachment being similar to that of a zip-lock baggy. Or how a fingernail is attached. Particles cannot get in because of this attachment. As the boy gets older, his foreskin and penis slowly start to retract. The only thing that needs to be done in this instance is a wash. Nothing serious either. Just some soap and water during a shower. Scrub a dub dub. Keep in mind that it is more difficult for a girl to keep her vagina clean than it is for a boy, with all the folds and all. Also keep in mind that circumcised penises get gross without washing and European men wash less often than US men and do so without issues.
Many people will say “I’m circumcised and I’m fine” or “I circumcised my son and he’s fine”. What I want to know is… what is fine? What does that mean? He’s surviving? Yes, people can survive without their foreskin.
I believe that one reason so many people still push strongly for circumcision is because it has been a part of US culture for such a long time. It’s basically tradition. People tend to not like change. They don’t like to break tradition or go against their culture. It makes them uncomfortable. It takes people admitting that what we’re used to and what we’ve known to be wrong. People don’t like to be wrong. So we cling with everything we can to remain comfortable in what we are familiar with. But that doesn’t make it okay. Cultures and traditions can be wrong.
Aren’t so sure? Think about the people whose culture it is to circumcise their daughters, not their sons. We tend to think of the practice as evil, as wrong. Somehow, circumcising a girl is much, much worse than circumcising a boy. How? Many would likely say that it is because they circumcise their daughters to make sex hurt for them. Yes and no. Yes, that is done but no, that is not the only way to circumcise a girl and by far not the only reason girls are circumcised. Most often, the girls who are circumcised do not experience pain with sex. What are these cultures’ reasons for circumcising their girls? Here is a chart showing the similar reasons between male and female circumcision beliefs:
Comparison by Hanny Lightfoot-Klein, author of Secret Wounds
Clitoridectomy and Infibulation in Africa
Infant Male Circumcision in the
United States
"She loses only a little piece of the clitoris, just the part that protrudes. The girl does not miss it. She can still feel, after all. There is hardly any pain. Women's pain thresholds are so much higher than men's."
"It's only a little piece of skin. The baby does not feel any pain because his nervous system is not developed yet."
"The parts that are cut away are disgusting and hideous to look at. It is done for the beauty of the suture."
"An intact penis is a real turn-off. It's disgusting. It looks like the penis of an animal."
"Female circumcision protects the health of a woman. Infibulation prevents the uterus from falling out [uterine prolapse]. It keeps her smelling so sweet that her husband will be pleased. If it is not done, she will stink and get worms in her vagina."
"An intact penis causes urinary infections and penile cancer. It generates smegma and smegma stinks. A circumcised penis is more hygienic and oral sex with an intact penis is disgusting to women."
"An intact vulva is unclean and only the lowest prostitute would leave her daughter intact. No man would dream of marrying an unclean woman. He would be laughed at by everyone."
"An intact penis is dirty and only the lowest class of people with no concept of hygiene leave their boys intact."
"Leaving a girl intact endangers both her husband and her baby. If the baby's head touches the uncut clitoris during birth, the baby will be born hydrocephalic [excess cranial fluid]. The milk of the mother will become poisonous. If a man's penis touches a woman's clitoris he will become impotent."
"Men have an obligation to their wives to give up their foreskin. An intact penis will cause cervical cancer in women. It spreads disease."
"A circumcised woman is sexually more pleasing to her husband. The tighter she is sewn, the more pleasure he has."
"Circumcised men make better lovers because they have more staying power than intact men."
"All the women in the world are circumcised. It is something that must be done. If there is pain, then that is part of a woman's lot in life."
"Men in the 'civilized' world are circumcised."
"Doctors do it, so it must be a good thing."
"Doctors do it, so it must be a good thing."
Sudanese grandmother: "In some countries they only cut out the clitoris, but here we do it properly. We scrape our girls clean. If it is properly done, nothing is left, other than a scar. Everything has to be cut away."
My own father, a physician, speaking of ritual circumcision inflicted upon my son: "It is a good thing that I was here to preside. He had quite a long foreskin. I made sure that we gave him a good tight circumcision."
35 year old Sudanese woman: "Yes, I have suffered from chronic pelvic infections and terrible pain for years now. You say that all if this is the result of my circumcision? But I was circumcised over 30 years ago! How can something that was done for me when I was four years old have anything to do with my health now?"
35 years old American male: "I have lost nearly all interest in sex. You might say that I'm becoming impotent. I don't seem to have much sensation in my penis anymore, and it is becoming more and more difficult for me to reach orgasm. You say that this is the result of my circumcision? That doesn't make any sense. I was circumcised 35 years ago, when I was a little boy. How can that affect me in any way now?"
How is it that male circumcision is better than female? It is not. Some are done to invoke sexual pain on the woman when she has sex. However, that is not all of female circumcision. There are many different types.
Another strong reason of mine is the surgery itself. There are many different types of circumcision. However, I will give a general overview and then describe some methods. The infant is strapped to a table as to not be able to move. No babies are even given anesthetic. It isn’t to be cruel, but because the baby is so young, the baby is very light. Because of their weight, the anesthetic can easily kill them. The doctor rips the foreskin from the glands of the penis and then cuts the tip off.
Just as the fingernail is fused to the finger, an infant's foreskin is fused to the glans. It must first be separated from the glans -- then removed. This tearing can "further damage this sensitive structure. When an adult is circumcised, the foreskin has already separated from the glans. (This difference alone suggests to me that the process would be more painful for the infant.) The loss of sensitivity to an adult may therefore be less. This is as general as I can get.
Gomoco Clamp Method:
The techniques for performing circumcision with the Gomco clamp and the Plastibell device have many of the same features. Following preparation of the infant and inspection of the penis and scrotum as described above, the foreskin is grasped with two mosquito clamps at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. The nondominant hand holds these clamps and uses them to elevate the foreskin. A third mosquito clamp is used as a probe to gently lyse any adhesions under the foreskin from the 8 o'clock to the 4 o'clock positions and is then clamped approximately two-thirds of the distance from the foreskin opening to the corona. This action creates the crushed area for the dorsal slit. The third clamp remains in place for one minute. The dorsal slit is then cut through the middle of the crushed area, using tissue scissors (Figure 2b). The foreskin is peeled back, and any additional adhesions are lysed using a blunt probe. Attention must be paid to preserving the frenulum at the base of the corona, as this is the most common site of bleeding.
Gomco Clamp
The Gomco clamp was designed to crush about 1 mm of the foreskin circumferentially, while the Gomco bell protects the head of the penis from injury during removal of the foreskin.
The appropriate size of the Gomco clamp is estimated, based on the circumference of the glans, and correct fit is confirmed by placing the bell on the glans. The edge of the bell should reach the frenulum and extend over the corona, slightly stretching the preputial skin.
The bell is placed inside the foreskin, and the dorsal slit is secured over the bell with a sterile safety pin This allows the handle of the bell to pass through the circular opening of the clamp, without the foreskin slipping out. The foreskin can be advanced through the opening by grasping it with sterile gauze. It is important to ensure that the apex of the dorsal slit is visible above the rim of the bell, to prevent notching in the border of the foreskin during removal. In addition, it is critical to check that the crossbar at the top of the bell sits squarely in the yoke of the clamp, otherwise pressure will not be evenly distributed around the bell and the chance of bleeding will increase. The thumbscrew is tightened until snug, and the visible foreskin is removed using a scalpel blade distal to the junction of the bell and the clamp. Electrocautery devices should not be used to excise the foreskin, because of the risk of conduction by the metal clamp. The clamp should remain secure for a total of five minutes, to allow the crush effect to be complete. This step is designed to reduce the incidence of bleeding after the clamp is removed.
When the thumbscrew is loosened and the bell gently removed from the clamp, the foreskin will stick to the bell because of the crush (Figure 3c). The foreskin can be loosened by gently peeling with a gauze swab to liberate the glans and show the final result. The edge of the foreskin and the corona of the penis are then gently wrapped in precut petrolatum gauze, which remains in place for 12 to 24 hours.
Plastibell Device
The Plastibell device is designed to cause circumcision by strangulating the blood supply to the distal foreskin. Necrotic tissue falls off seven to 12 days after the procedure is performed. No advantages of the Plastibell technique over other techniques have been documented, except "ease of use." Some studies have shown a small increase in the incidence of infection with the Plastibell device.
Determining the appropriate size of the device is important. A fit too small can cause tissue strangulation and necrosis, and one too large may result in too much foreskin being removed and penile denudation. Selection of the appropriate- sized Plastibell device is similar to the method used for the Gomco clamp.
After making the dorsal slit as outlined for the Gomco technique, the Plastibell device is placed on the glans and the incised foreskin is pulled over the top of it. The incised foreskin is brought over the top of the Plastibell until the apex of the incision is above the string placement guide on the device. The foreskin is clamped across the top of the Plastibell with a straight clamp.
The string is placed around the foreskin and the Plastibell device in a groove that acts as the string placement guide. The area is examined to make sure the device has not slipped out of place and the apex of the incision is distal to the placement of the string The string is then tightened and tied in a simple square knot. An adequate result is obtained when the skin just distal to the string blanches without the string breaking.
The excess foreskin is trimmed from around the bell using iris scissors. The handle is then broken off the device .
The Mogen Clamp Method
A blunt-edged probe is used to separate the glans from the preputial lining, taking care not to traumatize the frenulum.
The prepuce is lifted in an upward and outward direction by the hemostat. This action causes the glans to retract towards the scrotum, preventing accidental amputation of the glans. The open jaws of the Mogen clamp are placed around the prepuce (grooved side facing the glans) as it is lifted upward. The clamp is closed for one to one and one-half minutes. If the infant is more than six months old, the clamp should remain closed for five minutes. While the clamp is closed, the prepuce is excised distal to the clamp.
The clamp is then opened slowly and removed. Downward pressure is applied to the preputial skin around the corona, until the skin-mucosal seal is broken and the glans is liberated. A blunt probe is used to remove any additional adhesions. Petrolatum gauze is applied to cover the operative site. The preputial skin around the corona of the glans will often have a "dog-eared" or asymmetric appearance. As the infant grows, this aspect becomes less prominent.
There are complications with circumcision. The most common complication of neonatal circumcision is excessive bleeding. Reported incidences of bleeding vary widely, perhaps because of the different criteria used for reporting (e.g., time at which the bleeding was noted, extent of intervention required to control it). Bleeding can be controlled by applying gentle circumferential pressure with gauze or a sponge or by using absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam), topical thrombin, epinephrine soaked gauze or sutures.Infections may occur after neonatal circumcision, but most are local. Major morbidity has been reported, including staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis, Fournier's gangrene, generalized sepsis and meningitis. Most reported mortality related to circumcision has been caused by sepsis. Meatitis and meatal ulcers are an indirect complication of circumcision. Because the newly exposed glans is no longer protected by the foreskin, the meatus may be injured by a combination of pressure and ammonia from urine. Meatal irritation is treated with petroleum ointment applied directly to the glans.
The worst complication out of them all is death. Between 100-200 baby boys in the US die annually due to circumcision. That is an average of two deaths a week. If 20 or 30 babies died because of a product, that product would be recalled. Why do we recall things that cause lower numbers of death but keep a surgery that causes deaths annually? Deaths that could have easily of been avoided if not for the surgery?
Here is a list of benefits of the foreskin:
- 1. Full penis length and circumference. The "prepuce" (foreskin) constitutes 50% or more of the skin system of the penis. If unfolded and spread flat, the average adult foreskin measures 60-90 square centimeters (10-14 square inches), or about the size of an index card. The foreskin creates a visibly longer penis, especially when the foreskin extends beyond the head of the penis. Also, the double-layered tissue of the foreskin engorges with blood during erection and creates a visibly and sensually thicker shaft and glans. When the engorged foreskin retracts behind the coronal ridge of the glans, it often creates a wider and more pronounced "ridge" that many partners find especially stimulating during penetrative intercourse. The circumcised penis appears truncated and thinner than a full-sized intact penis.
2. Protection. The sleeve of tissue known as the foreskin normally covers the glans and protects it from abrasion, drying, callusing (keratinization), and environmental contaminants. The glans is intended by nature to be a protected internal organ, like the female clitoris . The effect of an exposed glans and resulting keratinization on human sexual response has never been studied. Increasing reports by circumcised men indicate that keratinization causes a loss of sexual sensation, pleasure and fulfillment.
3. Ridged bands. The inner foreskin contains bands of densely innervated, sexually responsive tissue. They constitute a primary erogenous zone of the human penis and are important for realizing the fullness and intensity of sexual response.
4. Gliding action. The foreskin is the only moving part of the penis. During any sexual activity, the foreskin and glans work in unison; their mutual interaction creates a complete sexual response. In heterosexual intercourse, the non-abrasive gliding of the penis in and out of itself within the vagina facilitates smooth and pleasurable intercourse for both partners. Without this gliding action, the corona of the circumcised penis can function as a one-way valve, dragging vaginal lubricants out into the drying air and making artificial lubricants essential for non-painful intercourse.
5. Specialized sensory tissue. In addition to the "ridged bands" mentioned above, thousands of coiled fine-touch receptors (Meissner’s corpuscles) constitute the most important sensory component of the penis . The foreskin contains branches of the dorsal nerve and between 10,000 and 20,000 specialized erotogenic nerve endings of several types, which are capable of sensing slight motion and stretch, subtle changes in temperature, and fine gradations in texture.
6. The frenulum. This is a highly nerve-laden web of tissue that tethers the inner foreskin to the underside of the glans. It is similar to the frenula found under the tongue, the upper lip and the clitoral hood (female foreskin). For many intact men, the penile frenulum is a male "G-spot" that is highly pleasurable when repeatedly stretched and relaxed during sexual activity. Depending on the surgical method used, the frenulum is partially to completely destroyed by circumcision.
7. Proper blood flow. The foreskin contains several feet of blood vessels, including the frenular artery and branches of the dorsal artery. The loss of this rich vascularization interrupts normal blood flow to the shaft and glans of the penis, damaging the natural function of the penis and altering its development.
8. Immunological defense. The soft mucosa of the inner foreskin produces plasma cells, which secrete immunoglobulin antibodies, and antibacterial and antiviral proteins, such as the pathogen-killing enzyme called lysozyme. All of the human mucosa (the linings of the mouth, eyelids, vagina, foreskin and anus) are the body's first line of defense against disease. This benefit of the foreskin could be one possible explanation why intact men are at lower risk of chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases.
9. Langerhans cells. These specialized epithelial cells are a component of the immune system and may play a role in protecting the penis from sexually transmitted infections such as HIV (AIDS).
10. Proper lymph flow. The foreskin contains lymphatic vessels, which are necessary for proper lymph flow and immunological functioning.
11. Estrogen receptors. The foreskin contains estrogen receptors, whose purpose is not yet fully understood and needs further study.
12. Apocrine glands. These glands produce pheromones, nature’s invisible yet compelling signals to potential sexual partners. The effect of their absence on human sexual behavior has never been studied.
13. Sebaceous glands. The oils produced by these glands lubricate and moisturize the foreskin and glans, so that the two structures function together smoothly.
14. Dartos fascia. This is a smooth muscle sheath that underlies the scrotum, the entire penis and the tip of the foreskin. It is necessary for proper temperature regulation of the genitals (causing these structures to elongate in the heat and shrink in the cold). Approximately half of the Dartos fascia is destroyed by circumcision.
15. Natural texture and coloration of the glans. In the intact penis, the glans normally appears moist, shiney, and pinkish-red to dark purple. These visual cues often attract and excite a sexual partner. The glans of a circumcised penis is dry, rough and often light pink to bluish-gray in color.
16. Zero risk of serious infection or surgical injury. Unfortunate boys who suffer botched circumcisions lose part or all of their penis from surgical mishap or subsequent infection. They are often "sexually reassigned" by castration and "transgender surgery." They are relegated to a life of hormone therapy and are compelled to live their lives as pseudo-females, the success of which has never been fully assessed.
17. Zero risk of death from surgery. Every year boys die from the complications of circumcision, a fact that the American circumcision industry ignores, obscures, or downplays.
18. Zero risk of delayed or diminished maternal bonding. Circumcision, even if anesthesia is used, causes unavoidable operative trauma and post-operative pain that has been shown to disrupt bonding with the mother, which in turn interferes with the first developmental task of every human, that of trust (trust in human contact, in personal safety, etc).
19. Electromagnetic "cross-communication." Anecdotal reports suggest that, without the mucosa of its foreskin, the penis lacks the capacity for the subtle electromagentic energy transfer that occurs during contact between two mucous membranes (the vaginal walls and the exposed inner lining of the foreskin). Such contact contributes to the full experience of sexual pleasure. These reports deserve further scientific study.
There are actually more reasons as to why I’m against infant circumcision. Some reasons I didn’t go into full. The reason being is that this note is super long as it is. Keep in mind that if you circumcised your son(s), I do not think that you are a bad person or a bad parent. However, I do think that you made a bad choice. A choice that is not rightfully yours to make. In the end, infant circumcision is a cosmetic surgery – unless being done for medical reasons. Also, remember – not a single medical organization recommends infant circumcision in the world. In some countries, it is even illegal to do male circumcision on an infant unless it is medically necessary. This is what I hope this country reaches so that all boys have their bodily integrity. God/mother nature didn’t make a mistake when our boys were born with foreskins. They are there for a reason.
To see the difference between circumcised and non-circumcised penises, please go to this link. It is not to be perverted, but so that you can see the whole world of difference circumcision does.
http://www.drmomma.org/2011/08/intact-or-circumcised-significant.html
Here are some pages on Facebook against infant circumcision. This is but a small few.
http://www.facebook.com/WholeNetwork
http://www.facebook.com/FutureSons
http://www.facebook.com/CelebritiesAgainstCircumcision
http://www.facebook.com/peacefulparenting
http://www.facebook.com/asnatureintended
http://www.facebook.com/EndCirc?ref=pb
http://www.facebook.com/intactamerica?ref=pb
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whole-Baby-Revolution/160234400676350?ref=pb
http://www.facebook.com/MadeByMom?ref=pb
http://www.facebook.com/SavingOurSons?ref=pb
