circumspect about circumsision

Su: soo (water)

The jury is out about the benefits of circumcision.  There is and has been some belief that it has a modest health benefit or will improve sexual function, of benefit that outweighs small risks.  There is a large volume of others who feel it has absolutely no benefit while having significant risks. No major medical organization recommends nor condemns universal circumcision. However, the World Health Organisation does recommend it as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention program in those parts of the world that have high HIV incidence.

About 30% of all males worldwide are circumsized, putting it as one of if not the most commonly medical performed procedure. It is common in Southeast Asia, Africa and the United States, and of course it remains part of the Jewish and Muslim tradition.  In Judaism it is done when a baby is just 8 days old.  In Islam, the boy is generally 7-10 years old.

Now I have no real opinion, being of an alternate gender, but wouldn't a boy of 7-10 years old be aware of what was happenng and in a position to yell and thrash about with pain?  Compared to a baby of 8 days for example, who yells and thrashes about all the time. 

I ask all of you men out there, you remember being 7 or 8 don't you?  Can you remember 8 days?  No.  Can you imagine if circumsicion was part of your memory.  What I did on my summer holiday indeed!!! I'm just sayin', if I were a boy child that was destined to go through circumcision, I would prefer it having been done before I had memory or even conscious thought

Here in Turkey, boys about to go for the procedure are dressed the day before like sultans.  They robes of white satin and white felt with fur.  They are given gifts and money and a great big party is thrown for them, as lavish as possible.  In fact the entire prcoess is often photographed for the family album. I say a little prayer for them for the coming day, but I must admit a slightly satistfied feeling that for once, such a painful part of being that age and that gender and that faith is not allocated to a woman child.