To me, I care not about tradition, it is abuse. The child has no say because an infant CANNOT say for himself.
It should be illegal until an age where a child can decide for himself - preferably adulthood really - as long as it is HIS decision, not the parents just because THEY want him snipped.
PUBLIC OPINION > Child Circumcision Should Not Be Allowed
SodaHead News
2012/06/29 21:00:00
A controversial court ruling in Germany classified child circumcision as "grievous bodily harm," upsetting religious communities over what some say is a religious right. The bulk of the issue falls on the way circumcision affects children who are too young to make their own decision. However, it has been a religious practice for thousands of years and many feel it should be protected as such.
This was an extremely heated debate, but after more than 1,300 votes, the public sided against circumcision. Those most concerned about freedom of religion were supportive of continuing to allow the practice, but the Top Opinion argued, "Religious freedom is about the baby's religion. I don't see how he can have one at that age." It's a delicate issue containing a perfect storm of controversy.
The Religious Response
As you might expect, the demographic breakdown shows religion was the backbone of the issue. Jewish and Muslim voters were almost unanimously supportive. Christian voters weren't as convinced, but still supported it with about two-thirds. By the time we got to the atheist vote, support was down to a mere 19%.
Underage Opposition
Nearly every demographic was split on this one, but next to religion and politics, age was one of the strongest divisions. There was a clear break at about age 35 -- below that age, support dropped nearly a third. Evidently, the younger generations are either not as convinced of the benefits, or not as concerned with tradition.
Men Don't Mind the Snip
Oddly enough, those directly affected by circumcision (males) were more likely to support it. It's also interesting to note that female voters were more likely to oppose circumcision, as there was some discussion over what women prefer... if you know what we mean.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about circumcision. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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Depsycho 2012/06/29 21:12:39
And no doubt all these same people who are whining about circumcision being "abuse" approve of abortion too. It's okay to murder children but not to circumcise them. Give me a break.
If the issue is that the baby cannot have a say re the circumcision, then my question is why cannot it have a say in it's killing?
And I see Germany still likes to dictate to their citizens just as the American government dictates to us. Guess the entire world has gone power mad. No one on earth can live in peace because its leaders won't allow peace.
Hopefully forced FEMALE "circumcision"--which is not circumcision at all but an amputation of the clitoris--is outlawed world-wide.
But, as to what Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck do or do not do with THEIR own child is pretty irrelevant in this argument. It IS, after all, up to the parent.
Clitoral amputation is only one form of female circumcision. A tiny clipping of the clitoral hood (foreskin) is far more common. And yes, as soon as these people open their minds and realize that this is not "up to the parent", it will end.
The Garner's know that they do not OWN thier children, that is why they do not cut off their body parts, not because they happen to like the way they were born.
Non religious Circumcision in the U.S. started in the late XIX century as a way to prevent kids from masturbating, because masturbation caused epilepsy, tuberculosis, blindness and all other kinds of diseases. Common sense?
If you are against it, just say so. Don't be such a smart-a$$.
I'm sure it wasn't healthier for perfectly healthy babies that died as a consequence of circumcision or for the ones who had to live with an amputated penis or a botched circumcision.
I always held negative feelings towards circumcision. I was 5 when I was circumcised and I begged not to be. A part of my body was taken against my will. I don't agree with that being done to other babies and children.
I got to thinking, ...
1. It's my child My business. It's not abuse I am not performing the act. It's no different than a surgery to correct a lazy eye. The child can see perfectly, but is cosmetic.
2. How is it different than getting a baby girls ears pierced?
We did it to avoid infection (The medical community is split on the issue) I would rather be safe than sorry. My son doesn't remember the PAIN. As obsessed as he is with his "dingding" it is obviously fine
1. It's HIS body, not yours. The foreskin isn't a defect, it's a normal body part that has function and benefits.
2. It's not. A hole in someone's body may not be as harmful as loosing the mechanical sliding function of the foreskin along with tens of thousands of nerve endings, or risk disfigurement or death, but it is still violating bodily integrity.
I know you are anxious to defend because you already chose, and it can't be undone, but 80% of the men in this world have foreskin and they are just fine. Did you know that the medical and cosmetic communities use foreskins for products? There's a monetary incentive here. What about all the men and babies that are NOT "fine"?
medical and cosmetic communities use foreskins for products?
Not my sons. the way they did his it came off at home.
I find it funny that this procedure bothers so many yet, Abortion procedures don't. (WAY more painful!
I know you have been convinced of a lot of things that are simply not correct, and because of that, I know you had what's best for your child in mind. The facts are that the foreskin is not a birth defect, and grown men do NOT have to have them cut off at any greater rate than any other body part that is naturally vulnerable to a problem. In fact, for the rest of the world, amputation is not usually needed to address foreskin problems.
I realize how difficult it must be to have gone with what you thought was healthy, and to have others state that it's not only not healthy, but damaging. Many parents are angry that they have been told lies in order to achieve their compliance. So, you’re not alone in making that decision for the reasons you did. The founder of NOCIRC had all THREE of her sons circumcised.
In saying that men deserve the right to refuse amputation of their healthy body parts, I’m not trying to cut into your jurisdiction as a parent, but trying to point out that our society’s current paradigm does not treat men equally. That’s nobody’s fault either, because we were all raised with these ideas. The only way to get to a place of equal rights is to admit that the habits of the past have come up short. \ /,,
Life expectancy of males in Japan 80 circumcision-no. NOT NEEDED.
I am sick of all you holier than thou schmucks bashing my christian religion. I despise hypocrite.
Here is a quarter go buy a clue.
Yeah I am a con. I still believe in freedom of religion whether it be muslim, buddhist, or pagan. As long as those religion do not interfere with a person's human rights.
I heard Romney's wife say he "may" chose a woman running mate. Man I hope it isn't Sarah. All I can say is I know many women that do not want a woman in the White House.