Circumcision

[FZ1001]

I am english and from reading this forum I have noticed that circumcision is very popular in the US (in one post it stated 80% of men are circumcised) whereas in the UK circumcision is relatively unpopular.

Does anybody know why this is? Why is there such a difference between the two countries?

[NizeGie]

Aside from the religious issue (which, obviously doesn't account for anything close to 80% of the population):

In the early part of the 20th century, it was commonly believed in the medical community that there were health benefits. Cleanliness, avoidance of infection and some odder ones: apparently there was a belief that leaving a kid uncircumcised encouraged masturbation.

So far as I know, those beliefs aren't really held any more, but it's still (I think) commonly done. Once a large percentage of the population looks that way, people get scared about their kid looking "different."

[curly]

Originally Posted by NizeGie

Aside from the religious issue (which, obviously doesn't account for anything close to 80% of the population):

In the early part of the 20th century, it was commonly believed in the medical community that there were health benefits. Cleanliness, avoidance of infection and some odder ones: apparently there was a belief that leaving a kid uncircumcised encouraged masturbation.

So far as I know, those beliefs aren't really held any more, but it's still (I think) commonly done. Once a large percentage of the population looks that way, people get scared about their kid looking "different."

Yup that pretty much says it all. It's not just the U.S and the U.K. Circumcision is largely unpopular in europe. It is no longer recommended as a routine procedure for infants and is slowly becoming less common in the U.S. I don't know if this is true but i've heard aproximately 1 in 5 men in the U.S are uncircumcised wich coincides with the OP, so maybe it is. The "leaving a kid uncircumcised may encourage masturbation" may have some warrant to it, masturbation for an uncircumcised male is easier and said to be more pleasurable.

[FZ1001]

Thanks for your comments. I find it interesting that parents would get their child circumcised to prevent masturbation or even make the penis less sensitive.

People I have spoken to have said that they would much prefer to be uncircumcised due to the perceived reduction in sensitivity in the circumcised male.

[thetease13]

I'm not 100% positive, but I think that here in the US, you have to request that your child be left uncircumcised because I think the doctor will still perform the circumcision unless you request otherwise.

I think circumcision kind of goes in phases. I know 3 guys born around the same time here in the US and none of them are circumcised (well, one is, but he got that way in his 20s because something was wrong somewhere). While most people my age seem to be that way. And now it seems that more and more people are opting to not have it done. But in 20 years, it may be different again.

[dancingdoc2]

> Thanks for your comments. I find it interesting that parents would get their child circumcised to prevent masturbation or even make the penis less sensitive.

So much for the Puritan or Victorian ethic and religious views. It's just another incidence of why Americans have been so uptight about their sexuality. Thank goodness for the sexual revolution of the 1960s.

Here is some interesting reading from out of our distant past and while it reflects a Mormon viewpoint, this is not too different from some of the practices along our Bible Belt with fundamentalist religions.

http://www.ldolphin.org/mormon.html

http://www.ldolphin.org/Mast.shtml

http://www.religioustolerance.org/masturba.htm

[RayzorSharp]

Originally Posted by FZ1001

People I have spoken to have said that they would much prefer to be uncircumcised due to the perceived reduction in sensitivity in the circumcised male.

I underwent Circumcision in May this year (for medical reasons) I am happier now than before as the head of the penis is far more receptive to sensation than before, also it appears more "normal" and the tightness during erection has gone. The operation and immediate aftermath wasn't an experience I'd wish to go through again though.



RS

[EvilEvilKitten]

Rayzor - which might be why we do it to our sons when they are infants - so they do not have to have it done when they are your age. My son was circumcized after I saw an uncircumcized penis. At the time I had to be quite forceful to get him done.

Of the two, I prefer circumcized - it is easier to give him oral if he is cut.