Norway debates banning male circumcision

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There's a serious debate going on right now here in Norway about banning male circumcision. If we're successful, we'll apparently be the first country in the world to do so.

Personally, I support this a hundred percent. If people want their foreskin removed, they may do so at age 18, at their own initiative. Body modification of infants just comes across as undesirable to me, and as far as I know, we're not even sure if there are any real health benefits.

Your opinions?
 
I also support it 100%, but I fear there's too much cultural and historical baggage attached to male circumcision for it to ever pass.

The suggestion came from a politician from the Center Party, one of the smaller parties. Her party doesn't support it, and no other party does so either. I expect this issue to be dead within a week.
 
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I often wonder what I am missing out on with that bit of skin that was sheered from my body in my sensitive bits.
 
There are several issues with this
1. The operation is much more difficult at age 18.
2. Religious reasons
3. Health reasons such as HIV/AIDS.

But really I think circumcision should not be done. But to ban it? That is going rather too far.
 
I agree, this barbaric practice should be banned.

rjh01 said:
There are several issues with this
1. The operation is much more difficult at age 18.
2. Religious reasons
3. Health reasons such as HIV/AIDS.
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1) It probably is more difficult at 18, but I would be surprised if many 18 year old men would want to have this operation.
2) So what?
3) Do you a cite for this please? Can't see how it would make it easier to contract or spread HIV/AIDS.
 
Rasmus said:
Besides the expectation of armed resistance - why would it be significantly more difficult?
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I think it boils down to something along the lines of "adults will explain to you how painful it is, whereas babies cry all the time about anything and nothing, so what difference will a bit more make?"

There does seem to be evidence that circumcision helps to reduce the incidence of HIV - it's been discussed here before - but I'm not sure really how strong it is. There are certainly ways of reducing the incidence of HIV that don't involve bodily mutilation.
 
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Can I assume that it means circucision of a child and that any adult who bizzarely decides he wants a bit of his todger chopped off for no reason can still arrange it?
 
I believe it should be banned, as well as piercing baby girl's ears. Lifelong body modifications should be left up to the person who owns the body.
 
Can I assume that it means circucision of a child and that any adult who bizzarely decides he wants a bit of his todger chopped off for no reason can still arrange it?
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yes, that's how I understood it.
 
truethat said:
I believe it should be banned, as well as piercing baby girl's ears. Lifelong body modifications should be left up to the person who owns the body.
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Yep. Permanently altering someone else's body, for no good reason, and without their consent, really bothers me.
 
Excellent idea.

Halfcentaur said:
I often wonder what I am missing out on with that bit of skin that was sheered from my body in my sensitive bits.
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Quite a lot possibly according to some studies; from the Frisch, Lindholm and Grønbæk study (IntJouEpid14JUN2011):

Circumcision was associated with frequent orgasm difficulties in Danish men and with a range of frequent sexual difficulties in women, notably orgasm difficulties, dyspareunia and a sense of incomplete sexual needs fulfilment. Thorough examination of these matters in areas where male circumcision is more common is warranted.
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picture.php
 
For some odd reason this all seems so familiar that I feel like I have a deja vu
 
catsmate1 said:
Excellent idea.

Halfcentaur said:
I often wonder what I am missing out on with that bit of skin that was sheered from my body in my sensitive bits.
Click to expand...
Quite a lot possibly according to some studies; from the Frisch, Lindholm and Grønbæk study (IntJouEpid14JUN2011):

Circumcision was associated with frequent orgasm difficulties in Danish men and with a range of frequent sexual difficulties in women, notably orgasm difficulties, dyspareunia and a sense of incomplete sexual needs fulfilment. Thorough examination of these matters in areas where male circumcision is more common is warranted.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...


This is the first I hear that circumcision is associated with sexual dysfunction in female partners. Is there a hypothesis as to how that could happen?
 
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This debate reminds me of the debate surrounding the ritual slaughter of animals. In Holland the Party for the Animals (yes, that's a real political party) has been trying to ban ritual slaughtering of animals by jews and muslims (and any other religion). However, the backlash has been huge as the religious claim it's in contradiction with the law of freedom of religion.

I reckon the religious will do the same when it comes to circumcision. The key factor in this debate is that a religious belief is worth nothing and certainly less than a normal belief as it is based on faith alone, rather than reason. However, religious beliefs are unfortunately still treated with great respect..

Here's a link about what Peter Singer wrote on the religious freedom just a couple of days ago: http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-use-and-abuse-of-religious-freedom

Still, keep up the good work in Norway! I hope they pass a law : )
 
As an anecdote as someone who was forced recently to be circumcised for medical reasons I have not noticed any particular difficulties in any way after the operation. Nonetheless I would not support any operation in general on the principal that they are all risky and should only be done when necessary. I do not think potential general improvements that may be argued for religious or medical or any other grounds reaches the level of necessary.
 
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