Circumcision drops off
The arguments for circumcision appear to be quarantined to reduced chance of sexual infections (STIs) and religious conformity (Jews & Muslims).
The risks include: pain, surgical mishap or complications, and decreased sexual pleasure.
Irrespective of what opinion you follow, it appears the trend is to avoid, what could only be described as THE most UNPLEASANT cut- OUCH!!!!
In 1950, 90% of us fellas had the little fella topped (or should I say chopped off) by the 1980’s that reduced to 40% and today it is merely 10-15%.
There is mounting evidence that the procedure can prevent the spread of STIs and HIV, it can reduce the spread of penile cancer and protects against urinary tract infections in infants.
Starting to change your mind?
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says the potential complications of the surgery and anesthesia, such as infections and bleeding, mean any benefits “do not warrant a recommendation of universal circumcision and infant males.”
Even if you do decide on this procedure, you may find it hard to get one, as circumcisions are not performed in most Australian public hospitals unless there is a medical need.
If you want your boy to have more in common with his peers, it probably makes sense to go with the trend of avoiding the cut unless it is medically or religiously required.
Obviously see your doctor if you have any questions. If you want more info on circumcision, email us at dads@dadsclub.com.au
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The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute says the operation of circumcision might be considered an assault or a wounding.. it said there is uncertainty as to whether the consent of a parent for the circumcision of their child is sufficient to allow a circumciser to legally perform the procedure.
Australia’s peak body of pediatricians say that parents who want to circumcise their newborn son should wait until he is old enough to make his own decision.
I struggle to see why any bloke would voluntarily opt in to move from a rocket to a helmet. In a world of obsessive sanitisation it is pretty easy to keep the smega out. There is superior sexual pleasure with a foreskin and in the argument of STIs , we should all refrain from bare-backing until we know the health of who we are getting it on with.
I can’t imagine the physical pain and emotional scaring of a young lad enduring the procedure.
Bare-back is out – make sure your kids are aware of the surge of STIs in our community.
A recent report by Marie Stope International found 1/3 of sexually active teenagers have their first sexual experience before the age of 14 but almost one third of them did not know they could catch STIs from oral sex.
In Europe, almost no-one circumcises unless they’re Muslim or Jewish, and they have significantly lower rates than the USA of almost all STI’s including HIV.
The Dickson study in New Zealand also showed a slightly higher rate of STI’s in the circumcised men.
Even in Africa, there are six countries where men are more likely to be HIV+ if they’ve been circumcised: Cameroon, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, and Swaziland. Eg in Malawi, the HIV rate is 13.2% among circumcised men, but only 9.5% among intact men. In Rwanda, the HIV rate is 3.5% among circumcised men, but only 2.1% among intact men. If circumcision really worked against AIDS, this just wouldn’t happen. We now have people calling circumcision a “vaccine” or “invisible condom”, and viewing circumcision as an alternative to condoms.
The one study into male-to-female transmission showed a 50% higher rate in the group where the men had been circumcised btw.
ABC (Abstinence, Being faithful, Condoms) is the way forward. Promoting genital surgery will cost lives, not save them.
The foreskin has many functions. Circumcision removes the 5 most sensitive parts of the penis and ~20,000 nerves, more than the clitoris. (Sorrells study)
Circumcision is the worst single thing parents can “legally”do to a healthy boy.
I cannot think of anything worse. (Strictly speaking unnecessary surgery on a minor is assault)
A human rights violation? You bet.
Anyway I am very pleased the rate in Australia has dropped so much in recent decades (and boys have never been healthier). The RACP now suggests waiting till the boy is old enough to make up his own mind.