NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/misc/kids/31259

Internet Message Format | 1992-12-29 | 3.5 KB

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From: [e-mail] (Michael P Noonan)
Subject: Re: A few facts about circumcision
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Sender: noonan@mksol (Michael P Noonan)
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Organization: Texas Instruments
References: <[e-mail]> <C002F <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 22:25:51 GMT
Lines: 60

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (David R. Haibach) writes:
|> 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in outdated religious or cultural values, or in Dad's unwillingness to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   automatically outdated and irrelevant.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)

It would seem that not circumcising males would be the "old" and
"established" way of doing things.  It has been fairly recent in
the history of mankind that circucisions began.  In this respect,
it is "new."  I am thinking that perhaps this new custom has run
its course.


|> >It all comes down to tradition and culture. Medical information has
|> >little to do with the decision.

It seems to be thus in the U.S.A.

|> >            ---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]

Mike Noonan