Five Horrible Arguments for Circumcision
Posted on 10. Jan, 2010 by Bran Rainey in Lists, Rants
Circumcision is a surgery performed on boys, usually at birth, which removes the foreskin (a hood of skin that normally covers the glans). The decision to circumcise or not is left to the parents; the surgery can be done later in life, but almost never is. Most countries have made up their mind, culturally, whether they do circumcisions or not: they’re the norm in the USA, but not in Britain. Very few people put any real thought into it; it’s just something that’s done as a routine.
The foreskin is not a necessary part of the penis — in the sense that it doesn’t actually affect the man’s reproductive function — but cutting it off is entirely unnecessary. In fact, it goes beyond being unnecessary. Circumcision in this day and age is flat-out stupid. It’s not a big deal, no, but it gets way less controversy than it deserves.
There are five horrible arguments I see people make in support of circumcision: let’s rip them to shreds.
5) “My religion says that men need to be circumcised.”
This is probably the best reason to get your son circumcised, I’ll admit. It’s stupid, but at least it doesn’t pretend to be anything more than a vague excuse. Saying “my religion says so” is the equivalent to plugging your ears and humming, really.
But really, who cares about your religion? It’s always annoyed me how religious people like to pick and choose things to believe. Whenever something makes no sense or gets thoroughly disproven through science, the religious have a tendency to excuse whatever conflicting dogma they have — so it’s an allegory now? Fair enough, but if you’re going to ignore bits of your religion anyway, just ignore the part about circumcision as well.
I’ll be honest: I hate religion. Can’t stand it. Even so, I accept that people have a right to believe what they want. What I don’t accept is using your beliefs to circumcise your son, who might not even have the same beliefs as you. It’s not like you’d know.
4) “The foreskin can cause health problems.”
This is the most infuriating, but it’s low on the list because it’s not as common as it used to be. Still, I do occasionally talk to people who labour under the impression that circumcision is “good for you”. IT ISN’T! And some people just refuse to accept this fact. How hard is it to understand?
Yes, it is technically true that circumcision at birth can prevent certain medical problems such as phimosis. But how common is phimosis? I’ll give you a hint: it’s not! No matter what all the over-diagnoses from paranoid parents and ridiculous old wives’ tales say, the vast majority of men do not have a hard time retracting their foreskin.
That applies to pretty much every medical myth about circumcision. There’s no significant medical benefit to circumcision, and anyone who says otherwise — based on some urban legend — is woefully misinformed.
3) “Circumcised is easier to clean!”
This argument is just baffling to me. Are uncircumcised penises really that hard to clean? According to a lot of people who aren’t uncircumcised men, yes they are. According to everyone else, what the hell are you talking about? That makes no sense. Do you have a hard time cleaning under your arms, too?
There’s no greater way to say “I have no confidence in my son whatsoever” than to get him cut at birth. You don’t even know him yet and you already think he’s a slob! Seriously, it might be uncomfortable if you have to remind your son to wash behind his ears penis, but that won’t even be necessary. He can figure it out on his own, I’m sure.
2) “It feels better for a woman!”
And gay men, presumably, but nobody ever mentions that. All I can say to this is, how the hell do you know? Most countries aren’t split evenly: either a huge number of people are circumcised, or almost no one is. It’s very unlikely for someone to have experience with both cut and uncut penises, in significant enough numbers to actually be able to have a non-bullshit opinion on the matter. And even if you do have the credentials necessary to shout your opinion, it doesn’t even matter. That’s still just your opinion. If there were an obvious winner in the war of “what penises feel better”, it would be common knowledge. Yet people give different answers to the “what feels better” question, usually in direct relation to what is more common in their country.
Beyond your son’s hypothetical future partner, there’s also his sensation to think about. Some people who have had circumcisions later in life say the sensation is worse, and some say that it’s the same. No one says that it’s better, except for the people who have no way of telling. So the option you’re given is thus: have no effect on the sensation whatsoever, rendering the surgery pointless in that regard, or have a negative effect on the sensation, which is a bad thing. Unless you want your son to have less sensation.
I’ve heard the excuse that being less sensitive is a good thing, because then the man can last longer and let his partner have an orgasm first. The people who honestly think this have a) no confidence in their son again, and b) an intimate knowledge of old sitcom cliches. Just shut the hell up already, please. That whole “women are hard to please” shit is getting more annoying by the day.
1) “It looks better circumcised!”
So what, you’re a penis connoisseur? People’s opinions on the aesthetic show the same pattern as above: their preferences depend on what’s most common in their country. So yes, most people in the USA would say they like cut penises better. That could be a valid reason to get your son circumcised: you want him to be accepted by his future lovers, you don’t want him to be ugly, or “different”, or whatever. That’s a good thing for a parent to think about. But you still have to take a risk with it: what if the surgery goes wrong?
It’s not likely in this day and age, but it’s certainly possible. And is it really worth it to take a risk just for the sake of looks? Would you support his expensive plastic surgery, too? Getting it cut just because you think it looks better is a silly reason; a silent way of saying, “Yeah, I don’t really have a reason. I’m just going with the crowd because I’m too lazy to resist.”
Circumcision represents something. Whether your country makes it the norm or not, making your decision based on that fact alone shows that you can’t be bothered thinking for yourself, and you have a disregard for your son, however slight it may be. You should do research and make an educated decision, because myths and misconceptions are rampant when it comes to routine practices like this.
Many circumcised men won’t want to think about it, or they’ll fudge up an answer so they don’t have to think negatively about themselves. But really, it doesn’t matter if you’re circumcised or not. Just because it’s something we should stop, doesn’t mean it’s something we should be ashamed of.
I bet my mother didn’t think I’d ever write 1300 words about penises. Your children can surprise you.
Mike
10. Jan, 2010
Excellent. The last line is a killer, too. (Y)
Restoring Tally
10. Jan, 2010
Great rant. There are no valid reasons to cut off the sex organs of a baby boy. I really wish I had not been circumcised at birth. I spent too many years having sex with only part of dick. Fortunately, I found out about foreskin restoration and it is making things a lot better. If men only knew how much better sex is with a full sex organ, infant circumcision would stop immediately.
SaintSkip
11. Jan, 2010
I enjoyed this article a bunch – but I’m already a member of the Intactivist camp. I wonder how many of the “undecided” people will read this without stopping halfway through, labeling you a radical zealot and dismissing your opinions completely.
Preaching to the choir is easy, mate. Changing minds requires etiquette, moderation and tact. Which are you trying to do here?
SaintSkip
11. Jan, 2010
Again, I really really enjoyed this.
Bran Rainey
11. Jan, 2010
I wasn’t trying to change anyone’s mind with this, really, though that would be nice. I just felt like ranting, and I thought it was entertaining enough to post.
Jason Hicks
11. Jan, 2010
I can definitely hop on the anti-circumcision band wagon having had it done to me at birth. I think the vast majority of circumcisions are for cultural reasons — the other reasons are definitely used by those in denial though after its done to them.
Hugh7
11. Jan, 2010
Great rant but you left out “A boy should look like his father”. My answer, http://www.circumstitions.com/Images/looklike.gif
If a father still thinks that, let him restore his own foreskin – and how about hair removal and penile reduction surgery to make the resemblance complete? That argument is all about the father’s anxieties, not the son’s. A son’s reaction when he learns why they’re different is more likely to be “Poor daddy!”
There’s another answer on “It looks better/Women prefer it”: times change and tastes change, and nobody knows what people will think looks better or women (or men) will prefer 20 years from now. With circumcision now down to about 55% in the US, whole willies (if you’re British, dicks if you’re not) are going to be a lot less unfamiliar 20 years down the track. Not only that, but he might move somewhere circumcision is not the norm, or simply grow up to wish he had all he was born with. How DARE anyone try to second-guess him on anything so intimate, based on THEIR preference?
Spoony
26. Feb, 2010
I really like your rant! I’m glad that you clarified that it was, and I agree, those are really horrible reasons, and that the ‘religion’ one is the best! At least it isn’t supposed to be ‘rational’!
I’m planning to do a dry, logical, and witty and tasteful and rational and scientific argument on my website, as well as expand on it with my own experiences in this culture, which are quite… baffling. You would find them amusing, I’m sure. Here’s a sampling:
First off, when I was a teenager I didn’t know that penises had foreskins, because they were missing from my anatomy books and stuff.
My first realization that anything was missing was when I was about 20 and this guy told me he was circumcised and I wondered what that meant, and then he told me all this stuff that I later found wasn’t true, thanks to the library. That’s how I got into this whole thing.
Later on, I interviewed this guy who was talking about being circumcised as a teenager and how badly it had affected his sex life (it was a rather extensive one) and how he was depressed for two years.
I used all this in discussing this with other people who have just brought it up out of the blue. I was prepared, but my arguments never reached them.
I’ve had an “It’s okay, we’re all different” religious woman getting her son circumcised in my backyard, practically, because of her conversion (not his!) I’ve had a crazy pregnant girl scream at me for saying anything “It’s MY CHILD!” and stormed out of the room, I’ve also had these two girls who had never met one another start talking about it and tell me that it’s a good idea to circumcise infants because then they don’t know what they’re missing when they’re older, and that it would be okay if their clitorises had been chopped off at birth for the same reasons. You know, because they wouldn’t know to be upset about it — and they both thought that despite never having met before!
Judging from the responses I get from people on issues on this and a myriad other things, I have come to the conclusion that most people are lazy idiots. That’s why I’m building a website to help make people’s brains better, so that I won’t be quite as lonely, as long as I can persuade people to get into it.
Oh, and I came across your rant because I’m actually going to write an ENGLISH PAPER on this subject. Can I pull it off? Only time will tell…. Hoo hooo hoooooooo!
Ali
20. Jun, 2010
You are aware that uncut penises build up filth that cut penises don’t?
You know, cause there’s no where for it to build up. Look just cause your parents didn’t get you circumcised when you were a kid doesn’t mean you need to write this dumbass rant to justify your obscene and most likely filthy dick.
Also how the hell does religion not justify getting circumcision done? If someone wants their kid cleaned up what the fuck is it to you?
Obvious uncut fag is obvious, get out of here with your stupid argument. You clearly don’t know anything about pleasuring a woman so why even try arguing over it.
Jonathan
20. Jul, 2010
good ranting about not being circumsised and i agree that infants shudnt even be cut at birth. When they get older they can make that choice when they know what they want to do. I mean come on its not fair to people who parents choose to get cut. Luckily i wasnt those who got cut at birth.n In my teenage years i went through low self esteem about my penis being uncut. I was the only one in my family that wasnt cut. Why ? i would never know. But when i turned around 15 i decided i wanted to get ct ut. I had sex without being cut and then when i got cut. the sex is no diffrent. Main thing was it was my choice to get circumsised . Doctors should persuade parents to wait till they children are old enough to decide what they want to do
angry reader
21. Jul, 2010
i am insulted by this article and i have an incessantly inflammatory comment about it :V
Parenting from the Dark Ages | Likes to Ramble
27. Jan, 2011
[...] careers and moral values, but basic issues of self-identity as well. I’ve already mentioned circumcision a million times, but it ties directly into this. Parents get unnecessary and potentially harmful [...]
Alma Hadin
12. Mar, 2011
Heather
21. Mar, 2011
Actually most people I know here in the U.S., including myself have been with both cut and uncut men. I personally can’t tell much of a difference during the act, though I do prefer the look of an intact man. When I see a cut penis all I can think of is that baby being tied down and screaming. Definitely a turn off
Not your penis, not your choice.
tqoe62
21. Mar, 2011
Ali, wash your cooch much? An intact man is no dirtier than an intact woman. Statements like that are an insult to about 80% of the world’s men and the women that love them.
Religious freedom ENDS where someone else’s body begins. Damaging someone else’s body is NOT part of religious freedom.
If you think a cut man is better sexually, you are free to that opinion, but truly that makes me guess that you’ve never been with a man that has a WHOLE penis. Why would you want only half the prize when you could have it all?
Jacie
21. Mar, 2011
Ali, the clean vs. dirty is a myth….just because you feel the need to justify the mutilation your parents put you through doesn’t make it true. I’m sorry they did that to you though.
Oh, and take a little look at the rest of the world, where NO ONE ELSE ROUTINELY CUTS OFF PARTS OF A BOYS PENIS FOR NO GOOD REASON and you’ll maybe start to understand just how incredibly stupid circumcision is. For the record, the foreskin contains more nerves than the clitoral hood on a woman, estimated at over 20,000, many of them specialized nerve cells….who wouldn’t want to keep those? Except maybe someone such as yourself who doesn’t like sex? Dunno. Think about it.
Bran Rainey
21. Mar, 2011
“If you think a cut man is better sexually, you are free to that opinion, but truly that makes me guess that you’ve never been with a man that has a WHOLE penis. Why would you want only half the prize when you could have it all?”
^– This is even more stupid than Ali’s comment. I’m irritated that you think we agree with one another.
MamaJasmine
23. Mar, 2011
I have had multiple partners of cut and uncut men and I can honestly say that there was never an issue with cleanliness for the uncut men, in my experience. I personally enjoy uncut men more because I see a difference in regards to the way they respond to sensations…its just what I prefer. As to the person who said they are filthy..the only thing you proved with your rude comments was that you are not comfortable with sex yourself.. you should just stop having it NOW.
Dan Soucy
02. Apr, 2011
personally, i agree with ali. bran doesn’t know shit about pleasuring a woman.
Mike
03. Apr, 2011
It was nice of Ali to illustrate how wars continue to be fought over just this issue. I’ve been harangued by an Indian (Hindu) teenager about how Pakistanis are primitive, uncivilized dogs — his father told him — because they’re circumcised. I’m guessing Ali heard a diffferent story from his father.
Remember this the next time you hear about fighting over Kashmir. And also that India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons.
aMum
01. Jun, 2011
Wow sensitive subject, but one that MUST be discussed. I almost went along with cirsumcizing my son, thought it was the norm no big deal, but when I pushed him out of my body & held him I went hold on, NO ONE is going to cut anything from ‘his” organ, if not necessary. Did research as anyone should do before a surgery & realized we live in a time with running water & it is not hard to keep clean. There are nerve ending that will be cut off, sex for him could be not so great later in life. Read that the foreskin is a PROTECTIVE covering like your eyelids. Things CAN go wrong during the procedure or after such as death, babies have died from this. So all the hard work I did nurturing child in womb was not going to risk his life or his future happiness. God doesn’t make mistakes, but man does. He was born that way & didn’t think it was up to me or his Father to alter his perfection. Although don’t get me wrong can understand why the Egyptians started doing it in the 1st place, plumbing was nil back then & while so young so it heals quicker. Interesting how it does change the look of it all, but my only concern was protecting my son. My Motherly Instinct. It does not bother me when people make ignorant comments. Why make fun of a penis that does not belong to them? My son’s penis is his own, not his parents so would not make that decision for him. He is his own man & a fully intact one until he chooses otherwise, but would insist he did his research 1st before making such an alteration on his manhood.
Thomas
02. Jun, 2011
I really like the argument ““Circumcised is easier to clean!”” because it is the equivalent of going, “Well your teeth would be easier to clean if you didn’t have those cheeks.” NO SHIT! DOESN’T MEAN YOU SHOULD SLICE YOUR CHEEKS OFF.
dondioni
06. Jun, 2011
I was circum. at 23 yrs old religoius reasons.
within 1 month my knob end had gained abut 1/2 inch in dia and 1/4 in length, looked much better.
46 years later I am very pleased witrh my equipment,
I stil enjoy sex for up to 40 45 mins almost every day
Briana
22. Sep, 2011
Ahhh, the good ol fashion argument: your thoughts, opinions, religion, and world views are wrong because I say so. If parents shouldn’t be “allowed” to circumcise their sons, even for religious reasons, then I guess they shouldn’t baptize babies either. It’s the same thing: you’re doing something to someone else’s body without their permission for a stupid thing like religion. And I also presume that getting your infant daughter’s ears pierced well be the next heathen act to be chopped. (I wouldn’t mind that one actually, I think it’s horrible & degrades the girl) we also should ban parents from dressing their children. you’re making a decision for the child and smothering their creativity, which could have life long emotional effects, for all you know. Lets ban spankings too, those are mean. Infact, lets just take everyone’s kids away until they can be brainwashed into all believing the same things. My point here people is that you cannot force your opinions on others. It makes you just as bad as the bible thumpers who condemn everyone around them. For example, theres a culture that believes in female circumcision. I believe it’s completely wrong, but just because *I* think that way doesn’t make me right. It doesn’t mean I should go condemn these people and their beliefs and try to take their rights away. You don’t believe in circumcision, great! But don’t lobby to take away people’s rights. You have to realize that by trying to take away the rights of a few, you will harm the many. It’ll snowball into this extreme thing and, before you know it, no one will be able to do anything. You think you’re so enlightened, and are so busy patting yourself on the back, that you don’t see how many freedoms you are so willing to give up. Parents should have every freedom to raise their children as they see fit. Why? Because if societal views can control what parents are allowed to do, then YOU aren’t really the one raising your child -popular opinion is. Long story short, look at the bigger picture, stop forcing your beliefs on to others, and learn some humble tolerance.
Circumcision | 10 Stupid Reasons For Circumcision | VizFact Dot Com
08. Jan, 2012
[...] This is the biggest lie of all time. Penis foreskin has millions of nerve endings which allow for increased sexual sensation and have been proven to aid the male in riding the wave of an orgasm resulting in lower chances of premature ejaculation. In other words, minute men are likely circumcised men. Also, I have read that circumcision only benefits how the sexual stimulation of gay men. [...]