Abortion is something that you would think would be staunchly supported by anti-circ folks, considering their stance on human rights, particularly those of infants. But alas they believe that abortion, an action infinitely darker than RIC, is not one of those rights. An existing child is not even given the right to live - talk about a most irreversible decision! In their logic, a mother who chooses to remove her infant son's foreskin is a mutilator and a human rights violator. Well, following that same logic, she is also a murderer if she aborts her baby for non-life- threatening reasons.
I agree that RIC may not be ideal, but a lot of these countries where RIC is taboo think abortion is fine and dandy. Their idea: Don't you dare cut off a baby's boy foreskin, should you choose not to kill him. That logic is sick and twisted. Before they start worrying about baby boys' foreskins, they better start worrying about them having a right to live so they can even have a foreskin.
More irreversible decisions? You must not think environment has no impact on how we turn out as adults. How are we are raised by our parents as child has lasting effects on as adults. We don't suddenly rid ourselves of many things we're raised with, taught as well as experience as children. We learn to cope and make adjustments if those "irreversible" decisions made were not positive. They're always with us.
I now realize that I did not properly think out my approach to your posts and I was not effective in getting my point across. I apologized for this. I will try again a different way - but I really do not want to mix up the abortion issue in this - thus will ignore.
First, I understood and still understand your point perfectly. Yes there are many decisions that are made every day that shape the lives, personalities and behaviours of our children. Collectively, these decisions are of great importance and influence on the child.
My point is that individually, most of the decisions are not that important. The example I used with the English parents sending their child to a French Immersion school for instance would be an example of a very significant decision in shaping the future of the child. I used the example that it may not turn out well - but it perhaps it would. This child could become a linguist it this decision could open many doors in the future. However, even if this bright child wasn't provided this option most likely some other opportunity would present itself for the child to succeed at. The decision either way is not harmful to the child and there is usually opportunities to amend past decisions. Yes, some consequences will remain but overall the significance of individual failings, misadventures or whatever are not that significant.
What I am saying is that one decision made at birth is a very significant decision because once it is done there is no going back, there is no opportunity to amend this past decision. Also, there is potential significant harm to the child with this decision.
Humans are the most sexual beings on the planet. Human sexuality is very complicated and is a very important part of our lives. It would not be much of a stretch to say that our entire economy is linked to human sexuality. The penis is obviously a very important part of male sexuality. Perhaps there are some "informed" men that do not mind that they were circumcised and it has not had a adverse affect on them psychologically or physically.
However, there are a significant number of men that say otherwise. The circumcision scar is not just a physical scar on the penis but a scar on the male psyche. Neither will go away. No one can predict who will be adversely affected either physically or psychologically or both. Circumcision harms people.
In regards to your comments about you rather being circumcised than be raised by an alcoholic or in a bizarre religion. I know a few young restorers that have had unbelievably horrible upbringings. Out of respect for their confidentiality I cannot provide details but as adults these intelligent individuals have managed to come to terms with the trials and tribulations of their horrible lives as children. Yes those experiences have shaped them and will be with them for ever, but cope and adapt they have and do. Their current struggle/focus is coming to terms with the fact they were circumcised as infants. It appears that this is a tougher hurdle for them and many others. I think this is because of the importance of our human sexuality and we should not underestimate it.
I see new young people joining restoration websites everyday looking for help and encouragement - this is provided. It is often predictable to see them go through various stages - first it is excitement, optimism that they are going finally be able to experience life with a foreskin. However, it is not an easy journey. It is very typical to see them go through periods of dismay, anger, rage. Why are we doing this to our children?
One reason is the very status quo stance that you are currently preaching. Belittling the circumcision decision by calling it insignificant in the scheme of life is very, very wrong. This apathy is why circumcision is still widespread as it is - though thankfully the tide is turning.
That fact that circumcision rates is declining is another reason to escalate the importance of this decision. Circumcised children will soon be the minority. The psychological trauma for those that have been circumcised will increase significantly.
Below are some links to Youtube postings of young people and their views on their circumcision. A couple of them are very young - voices have not even changed yet. These are the voices of our children, the youth of today.
I understand if you don't want to listen to me, but please LISTEN TO THEM!
The first one is very creative using the Joker character to very dramatically illustrate his point. The next 2 are young children just entering puberty expressing their viewpoints. The last one is a young adult expressing his view.The I don't see how anyone could watch these videos and then say that the circumcision decision is not significant.
Please watch and understand. I would really appreciate your feedback (and the feedback of others) after reading this post and reviewing the videos.
I really think it is important that we listen to what today's youth are telling us on this subject.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY258kVzGdE&feature=related[/FONT]
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX0D039kWvs&feature=PlayList&p=269CFC0B399FB8CE&index=0&playnext=1[/FONT]
