Circumcision Controversey

It figures, my first question would be such a controversial one! 

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I am not circumcised, and have always wondered if it would have been better if I was. In locker-rooms etc. it feels like im the odd one out. Most guys seem to be cut. What is your experience with circumcision? I wonder what difference there is in orgasm between the 2. What seems to be the ratio with cut vs. uncut? Should parents be encouraged not to circumcise boys? 

Circumcision[edit] from Wikipedia.org

Male circumcision is the removal of the foreskin, usually for religious, cosmetic, or medical reasons. The removal of the frenulum may be performed at the same time. The age at which circumcision may be performed varies widely, with groups such as Americans and Jews typically circumcising in the neonatal period and African tribes such as the Maasai and Xhosa circumcising in teenage years as initiation into adulthood. In modern medicine, circumcision may be used as treatment for phimosis or recurrentbalanitis. Advocacy is often centered around preventive medicine while opposition is often centered around human rights and the potentially harmful side effects of circumcision. The World Health Organization estimates that roughly 30% of the world's men are circumcised.[25]

<deep breath> It took me a while to decide how to address this question, because I do not want to step on any toes or make anyone think that I would have a problem with their genitals. The first thing to say is that ... no matter what... you are absolutely fine and perfect the way you are. I lived in Europe for almost a decade and this would never have been a question as in most of the world, genital surgery is not performed on babies. Most countries have outlawed what they call “female genital mutilation” which is circumcision of females, and meant to control female sexuality by reducing their sexual desire. A little known fact is that Harvey Kellogg, of Kellogg's cornflakes, in an attempt to stop the practice of masturbation recommended a particular diet, as well as circumcision – as it is extremely traumatic and reduces sensation. The treatment for girls to stop them was to put acid on their clitorises and labia. 

There are popular arguments for the surgery, and they're all bunk. 

A circumcised penis is not less likely to develop cancer, it's not cleaner, whether it's more attractive is a matter of personal taste. We are fed a lot of propaganda over this issue, and part of the problem is that there is a lot of pride and ego involved in one's penis. If you're circumcised, it's irreversible. Who wants to imagine or admit that perhaps they are not fully functioning? As always, it's easier to ridicule and defend something different, than it is to open one's mind. I don't know what the difference is with orgasms, since there is more to orgasm than just physical sensation. With circumcision there is less sensation over all, less sensitivity... but there are many other factors which contribute to an orgasm. You know for yourself that they vary in intensity depending on the situation and your mental state. 

Statistics of cut vs uncut? Where? What year? The rates here in America are falling dramatically as people become more educated, and less likely to go along with the status quo.

I am not going to write a 6 page novel on circumcision, but I will provide several links and if you're interested, you can take a look and decide for yourself whether you are pleased about being intact, or whether you would like to consider the surgery now, as an adult.  Some men do.  I understand that there are some women out there with harsh opinions. I heard a young pretty American girl with some strong opinions in a German bar one time, she was out of her element there. Loud mouthed, uninformed, and obnoxious, in her promotion of the proceedure, she had every man in the bar cringing and crossing his legs. Just because something is commonly done, does not mean it is actually the best thing for the people that it is done to. In cases like that, I would say be educated! Would I feel bad about my beautiful labia and intact sensitive and wonderfully responsive clitoris because some uneducated <person> were to tell me it was disgusting and unbecoming of a woman? If you have an ignorant girlfriend, you can gently educate her on the benefits and positive qualities of an intact penis. Give her time to experience it, and it will help if you're a good lover, in order to put things in their best light :) 

I absolutely do not recommend circumcision. I am sure there are a few rare cases in which it is necessary, but even with phimosis, a condition where the foreskin does not stretch enough to ever retract back over the head, there are usually better options. In my personal experience, there appears to be a great loss in sensation (sorry guys, you can argue that you feel it all but how would you know?) as the majority of nerve endings are found there, and the sensitive head is no longer protected most of the time. Instead, it develops a callous over it, and dries out. I could go on, but these sites will make their own cases. We've all heard the case FOR the surgery, this is just the other side of it. I am pleased for you, and would thank your parents for leaving your body the way it was supposed to be. 

That being said: our bodies are what they are, and there is nothing inherently wrong with any of us. I vehemently disagree that we should feel any degree of shame or discomfort because of the physical characteristics of our bodies. It's time we love and accept each other on a level which does not include judgement and rejection. Your genitals (male, female, or transgender created) are part of your physical body and they're there to feel good, so learn about yourself and how to make the most of your body and it's enormous capacity for pleasure. Love to all of you! 

http://www.circumstitions.com/index.html 

http://www.circumstitions.com/Sexuality.html 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision_controversies 

http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/ 

Interesting perspectives below: 

http://www.sueeasy.com/class_action_detail.php?case_id=258 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_genital_mutilation 

http://www.change.org/petitions/united-states-congress-extend-the-ban-on-female-circumcision-to-include-male-circumcision-as-well