Laurent Olszer wrote:
Regarding the "choice" argument, there are several issues: * From a medical standpoint, the fact that some men have to have it done as adults (my colleague's mate, Colin's and Sarah's friends),
my partner was done as baby not as an adult.
cut it off to save a possible future problem? That is no justification for peforming this act unless it is a medical NECESSITY.and that at this age it is very painful could well be a justification to having it done as a baby.
to hurt a baby for any length of time should be avoided at all costs. They are real feeling ebings. we have no right to hurt them to satisfy our own selves.Having seen it done several times, I can tell you babies don't cry for more than a few minutes and they seem fine 1/2 hour later.
some are yes. Some men are very unhappy that they were mutilated oin this way.* Are circumcised men traumatized?
having tonsils removed, likean appendix, is a meadical reason. it is not because someone 'felt like it'.. * So indeed it is not the kid's choice but the parents' or the doctors', based on religious or cultural reasons. (I'm excluding the strictly medical reasons here) I had my tonsils removed at age 8, I couldn't make that choice then either. So what?
If jewish fathers decide to do it to their sons, knowing the consequences, do you think they knowingly want to hurt their kids in any way?
If they know the consequences, they are knowingly hurting their children.
So the bottom line is: is anybody complaining with the results themselves (not about having choice which is a more intellectual question)? So far the only comment was Leonard's who said he was quite happy. So if nobody who is circumcised is complaining
but many are and have always complained.
they couldn;t possibly know what they prefer because that choice was taken away from them. The big deal about choice? well, imagine having no choice. that should answer your question.and in fact prefer it, what's the big deal about the choice?
Many people are bothered by it.Why not let a custom carry on when nobody is bothered?
The point of this, is that it is a violation of a human beings body and trust. We do not have the right to assault babies/children in this manner regardless of how we rationalise it to ourselves.
I understand people think differently about this. For me, it is purely a matter of respecting chidlren and their bodies and not harming them them. Choice is not an intellectual argument, it is has very real meaning to the physical and emotional lives of us all.
No one, certainly not me, is suggesting that those parents who allowed this be done are bad or wicked or whatever. Culturela belifs etc are not easy things to leave behind. However, it doesn't change my opinon about circumscision.
Laurent
