Hanna Rosen on circumcision
2. Circumcision. The number of responses has been overwhelming, and I am still sifting through them. I am certianly not convinced that this is a trauma for babies, or that it ruins your sex life. I get that some men feel about this the way 1970's feminists felt about abortion - It's my body, hands off. I always found that particular pro-choice line crass and unconvincing but hey, men can use it too. On the question of whether it helps prevent the spread of HIV and STD's, and particularly whether the Africa studies are applicable to the U.S. - I have to confess, I'm not sure yet. I will do my homework and address the subject on my own site, Doublex.com.
I don't see how it can be crass to claim the body as inviolate - it's certainly absolutist - but I wonder at someone who can find that principle unconvincing.
A doctor takes a scalpel to an infant boy's penis, an infant boy who cannot give consent, taking away a part of his body that he might actually enjoy when he grows up or someone else might actually enjoy.
Some might not find that barbaric, although I do, but it's most definitely mean.
ps
I certainly have enjoyed my share of foreskins, don't like the look of scars on cocks and regret the fact that I have to wrap the head of my uncut penis in silk or some other supersoft material to protect it during sweaty physical activity. Despite the callouses developed on the glans of an uncut penis, my head gets irritated very easily, on into pain, making it difficult to ride a bike or run. So yeah, I have been a bit annoyed at my parents' decision to slice off a piece of my tender skin.
