NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/misc/kids/31236

Internet Message Format | 1992-12-29 | 3.0 KB

Xref: sparky misc.kids:31236 soc.men:21876 alt.atheism:24497 alt.sex.wizards:4143
Newsgroups: misc.kids,soc.men,alt.atheism,alt.sex.wizards
Path: sparky!uunet!news.encore.com!dhaibach
From: [e-mail] (David R. Haibach)
Subject: Re: A few facts about circumcision
Organization: Encore Computer Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 20:05:09 GMT
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]> <C002F <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Nntp-Posting-Host: maxis.encore.com
Lines: 50

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Kayvan Sylvan) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Michalis  Syrimis) writes:
>
>   Is it true that many americans,irrespective of relegious
>   or ethnic background  have their newborn sons
>   circumsised today?  If this is indeed so, what are the
>   reasons behind it?
>
>   I would appreciate any information given on the above.
>
>For a very long time, the pediatrics association was pro-circumcision.
>They reversed their stand on circumcision for some years recently and
>then once again took a mildly pro-circumcision stance (even though
>most pediatricians will tell you that there is no medical benefit to
>having a circumcized penis).
>
>It would seem that the reasons for most circumcisions today are rooted
>in outdated religious or cultural values, or in Dad's unwillingness to
>have his son look different from him (or his son's peers). The medical
>information about circumcision is getting out there, and is mostly
>overridden by whatever the "normal practice" is for the family, given
>their history and culture and religious background.

  I am glad you included the words "it would seem". That is your opinion.
  It appears that you feel that anything "old" or "established" is therefore
  automatically outdated and irrelevant. While I take no stand on trying to
  convince others one way or the other on this issue, as it is a parental
  decision (at the moment), I do take issue with the premise that anything
  "new" or "modern" is automatically better. Just because people have had
  more time to think about something and become "enlightened" does not prove
  it's value over time. (with all due respect to the thousands of studies
  done every year on everything one can think of)

  BTW, did you mean to say "practices", instead of "values" ?

>It all comes down to tradition and culture. Medical information has
>little to do with the decision.
>
>            ---Kayvan
>--
>| Kayvan Sylvan, Sylvan Associates, [e-mail], [phone]  |
>| Consulting, Training, Development, SysAdmin, {BSD,SVr3,SVr4} Unix Systems  |
>| "Think Globally, Act Locally." "Only you can make your dreams come true."  |
>| Proud Dad of Katherine Yelena (born 8/8/89) & Robin Gregory (born 2/28/92) |

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dave Haibach
[e-mail]