So far, Jewish feminism vis-à-vis circumcision has concerned itself with two things: providing naming ceremonies that welcome baby girls into the covenant, and allowing women to serve as mohels. Neither addresses the most obvious feminist issue from my perspective: the mother’s experience of the ritual. A mother who is huddled sobbing in the next room at her son’s bris, or gulping down wine or sedatives to get her through, is not having a spiritual experience. She is being subjected to a trauma. I’m not suggesting that every Jewish mom feels traumatized when her baby is circumcised, but many do. It’s 2011 and women are being patted on the head and told to calm down—i.e., that their
Author Lisa Braver-Moss in her interview at Beyond the Bris. Curious if if people have thoughts.
“Anti-circumcision activists shouldn’t make parents feel that way. Moms and dads who’ve circumcised their kids wanted to make the best choice for their little boy — and decades of misinformation meant they believed, at the time, that circumcision was that choice.
And while they were ultimately wrong; you can’t criticize them making that choice for the right reasons.”
Bad Science Doesn’t Justify Male Circumcision, an awesome column by Roland Hulme at Edenfantasys.com
Certain ethnic groups, including the Dogon and Dowayo of West Africa and the Xhosa of
South Africa, view the foreskin as the feminine element of the penis, the removal of which (along with passing certain tests) makes a man out of the child
Male circumcision: Global trends and determinants of prevalence, safety and acceptability
I first read about this idea in Seham Abd El Salam’s paper and it seems to make a lot of sense.
(Source: malecircumcision.org)
Circumcision Propaganda Exposed by 14 year old boy
A 14 year old boy researched circumcision for a school assignment. He learned that circumcision cuts nerve endings and results in a reduction of pleasure. His research points out that the propaganda for the African circumcision campaign does not make full disclosure of the effects of circumcision. As many studies have shown, male circumcision removes erogenous tissue and often results in a noticeable reduction of sexual pleasure.
What impressed me about this letter, is the author’s ability to think critically and analytically, even despite discouragement from the teacher. I think this quote really sums up the matter:
“I plead with those who are campaigning for circumcision to tell us both the advantages and disadvantages. It is our right to know about these things before we make a decision.”
Dutch doctors urge end to circumcision
Dutch doctors want politicians and human rights groups to speak out and discourage the practice of male circumcision in the Netherlands because they say it is a “painful and harmful ritual”, and a violation of children’s rights.
“This is not an innocent procedure, we see complications in about 5% of the cases, as well as some long-term and psychological implications,” he said.
The Dutch medical association has urged religious leaders to find alternative rites of passage that are not irreversible and which are not painful for the child.
Not much other good news, so reblogging this for anyone who doesn’t know about the KNMG’s progressive stance on circumcision.
i've got a fire burning: let's clarify a bit the difference between FGM and MGM, because i get a bit irked when people compare the two
okay, when someone with a cock has their foreskin removed, there are risks. there is a risk of infection, loss of sensation, less lubrication for the glans, there is pain as there is rarely anesthesia used, there are risks. this is a fact. orgasms may not be as intense or difficult to reach.
now…
Sorry, but I’m going to have to be critical. Firstly, I find it strange that someone would seek to build an argument discounting the harm done by non-therapeutic male circumcision. What you’re basically saying is, “yeah, cutting off a part of this child’s genitals without an overarching medical necessity is kinda wrong, but it’s not that bad, it could be worse.” I’m really not sure what purpose is being served by that, and I don’t think a butchershop style, filet mignon vs flank steak comparison is very meaningful when bits and pieces are cut from children’s genitals. IMO, the main difference between female and male genital cutting is that one of them happens in my community, and potentially paid for with my tax dollars and insurance premiums.
One of the many intactivist videos on Youtube: “Jewish Mother - Intact Son”
To Every Fucking Dumbass Girl Out There,
There is no difference in an erect circumcised and an erect uncircumcised penis. Ever wonder why a boy’s penis is crooked, or why it has that strange line around the upper part?? Yo Bitch it was because of their circumcision, that is by far stranger than an at rest uncircumcised penis. There is ZERO medical reasons for getting the foreskin removed.
And when it comes to intercourse, uncircumcised men enjoy it more and since it has naturally lubricating foreskin, it is more enjoyable for their partner.
BTW, they also have more skin to grow into, causing full potential of growth.
SO… SUCK ON THAT ONE.
(Source: raisingrowan)
Circumcision Affects Female Sexual Pleasure
Women who have only had sex with circumcised men may not know what they are missing. According to surveys in the medical literature, women reported that they were significantly more likely to have vaginal dryness during intercourse with circumcised men than genitally intact men. A medical journal survey of women who had comparative sexual experience included 138 responses. Other things being equal, on a scale of ten, they rated genitally intact men 8.03 and circumcised men 1.81. With circumcised partners, women were less likely to have one or multiple vaginal orgasms, and their circumcised partners were more likely to have a premature ejaculation. Circumcision was also connected with vaginal discomfort. Women were less likely to “really get into it” and more likely to “want to get it over with” if their partner was circumcised.
The results can be explained. The foreskin is a movable, double-layered sleeve. (See Functions of the Foreskin.) During intercourse, it glides up and down the penile shaft, reducing friction and retaining vaginal secretions. Without the foreskin, the skin on the penile shaft rubs against the vaginal wall, resulting in friction and increasing the need for artificial lubrication. The circumcised man has less sensitivity and requires deeper and harder thrusting to try to compensate, further increasing the friction.
With circumcised partners, surveyed women were more likely to feel unappreciated, distanced, disinterested, frustrated, and discontented. When their partners were not circumcised, women were more likely to feel intimate with their partners, relaxed, warmth, mutual satisfaction, and “complete as a woman,” and the greater sexual satisfaction benefited the relationship. To be clear, this does not mean that women cannot have a satisfying emotional and sexual relationship with a circumcised man. Other things being equal, it means that such a relationship may be likely to be even more satisfying if the man were not circumcised.
(Source: circumcision.org)
At the same time, people come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I don’t think we should judge people based on the way they look on the outside and I don’t think we should live our lives in fear of others judging us this way. If I were to circumcise my child based on my own fear of prejudice, what would that say about me? What would it say about my values, my tolerance, my biases—my gumption? What message would I be sending to my son if I allowed what I felt to be the wrongheaded opinions and actions of others to guide my important life decisions?
Rebecca Wald, Beyond The Bris
A fascinating short film about circumcision, conformoty, and rebellion in the Philippines.
Ron Low, inventor of the TLC Tugger, discusses foreskin restoration, genital integrity and human rights.
Ron Low is pretty mint. I love the way he puts himself out there without concern for small things such as embarrassment.
After officiating at [traditional bris] ceremonies for over three decades, I’ve concluded that it’s just too painful and traumatic for me to inflict on a neonate. If I doubt it’s something I’d subject myself to as an adult, I’m certainly not keen on inflicting it on a baby.
Rabbi Jay Heyman
(Source: wwrn.org)
As an uncircumcised (Thank God!) man with four kids, I find it VERY difficult to believe that circumcised men don’t suffer a considerable reduction in sensation at the head of their penis. I can assure you that if I tried to walk around all day with my foreskin rolled back I would suffer considerable discomfort. OUCH! Circumcised men must overcome this by developing hardened, less sensitive glans, preferably in infancy, before they know what they’re missing. It seems obvious to me that the REAL reason for male circumcision is exactly the same as for female circumcision - to reduce feeling and consequent sexual desire. It’s all about control.
A guest comment by ‘McD’ on Doctors campaign against ‘risky and painful’ circumcision of boys
The WHOLE Network: Pressure from Spouses: A Botched Circumcision Leads to Regret
A mother is pressured into circumcising her son. Unfortunately, her son’s circumcision did not go well. Circumcising an infant is more complicated and difficult than most people realize. The penis is small and not fully developed. It is difficult to judge how much to take off. Doctors also do not want to take the time to properly do the surgical procedure and blood vessels are often nicked or severed, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.
