2nd entry today

Warning this entry contains frank talk about male body parts in a completely NON pornographic fashion. Don't worry, nothing crude or perverted. However, if you are offended by words like penis, testicles, scrotum, foreskin, and such, go ahead and check back for another entry.

Now on with it.

Yesterday I started thinking about circumcision. In the US, we routinely circumcise the male penis quickly after birth, before the child even leaves the hospital. It is rarely even a question any more...merely a box you check on a form for yes or no. But do we ever really put any thought into it, or do we just opt to circumcise our male offspring only because their father was cut?

First of all, for those of you that are not all that familiar w/ the practice, or if you don't know much about male genitalia...circumcision is the act of surgically removing the foreskin of the penis. In it's natural state the head of the penis is covered in a sheath of skin. Much like when a turtle ducks it's head into it's shell. After removal of the foreskin (aka: circumcision), there is clear definition between the shaft of the penis and the head. The ridge will be well defined, and in an erect state, the skin is, for the most part, fairly taut.

So you might be wondering why on earth a woman is even bothering w/ the whole concept right? Well someone has to think about it...why not me? I am completely against the female genital mutilation that takes place in some countries. It is an atrocity. However in our own country, we do much the same thing to our male children, without a thought.

So why do we continue to do this to men? This is societies norm. We have a clear idea about what a penis is supposed to look like, and we do our best to fit our children into this mold. The most common sexual implements are in the form of a circumcised penis.

As a woman, I can honestly say, I don't care if a man is cut, or uncut. I don't see nor feel there is a difference. I have had both types...and I cannot rate one over the other really.

They say that there are "medical" reasons for circumcision. However, the medical "improvement" does not seem to be of very much worth. I have heard about some men that have difficulties stemming from their foreskin removal. For some the skin is too tight, or their head is not too sensitive since it is left unprotected. I recall my ex-husband having a large scar on his penis (more than most men get) from the babyhood operation.

I'm not a guy...I don't have the goods....but shouldn't we put more thought into this? Maybe do a little more research before we do this to our little boys? They were born one way, and we don't give them the choice about this operation. Seems rather strange doesn't it?

It's almost like the removal of a females Labia Majora (outer genital lips). Just like a circumcision, it leaves the goods exposed. I admit it is a bit more radical...but then again, in some cultures, they think that it is radical that we take a knife to the penis our newborn baby boys.

Hmm.

Would I circumcise a boy child? Hmm. I'm not really certain. I suppose that it is a decision that should be made between two parents, but most of the decision on that should go to the father...after all, the father had the original penis that led to the need for a decision.

Ok...well that's enough penis for one day. I'll find something else to talk about next time.

<< welcome >>