I was circumcised as a baby. And if I had never known what a circumcision was or then asked my parents if I had one, I probably would never have been the wiser. Yet now there seems to be a very vocal group calling for a ban of the practice, regardless of religious belief or parental preference. Most of the arguments I hear against the practice boil down to “I didn’t get to choose this for myself” and “My penis is mutilated!” It troubles me to no end that in a time where income disparity, violent conflicts, political upheaval and environmental destruction are looming over us like the sword of Damocles, there are human beings devoting a considerable amount of time trying to prevent a minor medical procedure.
Oh the indignation! Oh the rancor! Researching the topic online pulls up a plethora of anti-circumcision websites. Any articles in support of circumcision become inundated with comments from outraged people, calling it barbaric and equating the practice to female circumcision (a completely different procedure, it involves the complete removal of the clitoris, which may have more to do with keeping women from enjoying sex and the abuse of their gender around the world). But when I read medical websites, there is no argument against the practice. It causes no major health complications, and actually helps prevent some afflictions that can occur later in life (such afflictions often requiring the procedure). The only benefit that seems to be agreed on is that having a foreskin helps improve masturbation. Having performed countless experiments in my laboratory, I can attest that I have had no difficulty in achieving this and was entirely satisfied with the test results each time.
I want to bring up the scientific support for circumcision, such as the WHO’s endorsement of the practice for the prevention of HIV transmission. But I really don’t want to, because quite frankly, I don’t want to keep this argument going. In the scope of the challenges our species faces in the immediate future, a little flap of skin should be the least of our concern. Don’t make this a human rights issue. There are far more pressing issues that need our attention. I highly doubt that circumcision is preventing us from finding renewable energy resources. The growing public discontent in the Middle East is not over the presence of a foreskin. And famine-stricken Somalians could give a flying fuck about the whole debate right now, they’d rather not watch their children starve to death while warlords take the last remaining food.
What I’m trying to say here is: get some perspective. I’m sure quite a few people are outraged about the issue. I’m sure it’s near and dear to their hearts, and they feel it must be stopped at all cost. But right now, we don’t need any more divisive causes (and please remember that over one quarter of the world’s population practices it). Take that anger and that energy and that commitment and join in on something more important. If you want to protect the rights of a child, how about throwing your support in the fight against the war in Iraq instead and helping those kids have their right to grow up with all their limbs intact. If you want to lament the perceived loss you have, why not think about the actual loss of opportunity in this country to earn a wage that allows you to live life to the fullest? Quit trying to force an issue that simply drives one more wedge between people. We need a little more unity at the moment, a greater concentration of our efforts. Let’s solve the real problems first.
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