The Unkindest Cut of All

From About.Com

What is a Circumcision?
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the prepuce of the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis.
Function of the Prepuce
The prepuce is a normal part of the external genitalia. It protects the glans from chafing and abrasion during intercourse and from general wear and tear. It protects the glans from irritation in infancy when the baby is incontinent. It provides lubrication. It also contains erogenous tissue, in other words it contributes to sexual arousal. {Emphasis mine.}
Reasons for Circumcision
Medical reasons for male circumcision are conflicting. Historically it was done to help stop masturbation. Medical opinion varies considerably on the issue of when and whether circumcision should be carried out. Male circumcision has often been carried out for reasons of hygiene. It is known that men who have had a circumcision seem to contract urinary tract infections less, that it may offer a little bit of a defence against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV (although the data is unclear and open to interpretation).



Ok, I've got to go on record here. Yesterday, I attended a bris (a Jewish circumcision ritual). This same ceremony and circumcision was performed for my son 2 years ago. I had the same 37 years ago. This revolts me. What we do to our sons is barbaric, and I'm against it. The trauma a baby suffers during this surgery (without local anesthesia) is horrific. I must believe that it psychologically impacts our kids.

And I've heard all the arguments about hygiene. I think they are bullshit. If you can open your mouth and brush and floss or spread your ass cheeks and scrub your crack, why can't you pull back a foreskin and clean your junk?

My students love to write about tribal rituals where women are circumcised. They (my students) are horrified that a culture could be so frightened by sexuality that it would resort to something so barbaric. Is what we do any different? (And, by the way, the motivation is the same.)

But here's the rub: you can't easily choose not to circumcise your child. He'll pull that hooded cobra out at the pool or in the gym locker room at school and suffer terrible ridicule for being so different.

It's ugly.