"circumcision not mutilation"

[VicPark]

Again, the appeal to authority. Parents don't have to blindly follow what others say. Some parents actually have the ability to weigh up the pros and cons themselves!

You may be interested in having a look at what the RACP says regarding circumcision.

Here is a link.
http://www.racp.edu.au/index.cfm?obj...657544BA419672

Parents who think they are in a better position to judge medical issues that medical experts and authorities... Astound me.

[Father]

Parents who think they are in a better position to judge medical issues that medical experts and authorities... Astound me.

Well. Be astounded. We exist. I feel for you and your inability to determine yourself what you think is best for your child.

Unlike you, I don't need people to tell me what I need to do.

ETA: VicPark, did you even read the RACP policy statement? Especially the bit where is says that 'parents know best'?

[VicPark]

Well. Be astounded. We exist. I feel for you and your inability to determine yourself what you think is best for your child.

Unlike you, I don't need people to tell me what I need to do.

ETA: VicPark, did you even read the RACP policy statement? Especially the bit where is says that 'parents know best'?

Its naive to think parents always know best. Parents are affected by social bias, misunderstanding of the facts, or just not being all there for one reason or another.

That being said i like to think I can determine what's best for my child ... most of the time I'm Not arrogant enough to think I know more than trained professionals.

Circumcision for a non medical
Reason (as deemed necessary by a trained medical professional) is ********.

[goldtoe]

Parents who think they are in a better position to judge medical issues that medical experts and authorities... Astound me.

Keep some perspective though. If done properly (surgeon in a hospital) the risks in Australia are as small as the benefits. It would be hypocritical to cite medical risks as reasons not to do it.

[VicPark]

Keep some perspective though. If done properly (surgeon in a hospital) the risks in Australia are as small as the benefits. It would be hypocritical to cite medical risks as reasons not to do it.

Good point. Risks v benefits minuscule. I'm anti circ because I believe you should have a darned good reason for taking a knife to
A child. And having a small
Risk factor doesn't cut the mustard.

[JohnC]

It would be hypocritical to cite medical risks as reasons not to do it.

I agree. The point of the OP was that the non-therapeutic genital surgery on children only makes sense as a cultural practice, and medical arguments are therefore tangential, at best, to the point at issue. We are rightly appalled by the Indonesian authorities issuing guidelines for "safe" female circumcision, yet many see nothing odd about exactly the same thing happening for boys in Australia.

Hypocrisy, thy name is circumcision.