Circumcision - Still Controversial, Crowe?

On the 27th of May, Roseanne wrote about circumcision. She spoke about how female circumcision is illegal in America (and it is safe to say the same is said of any “civilised” country), and about a movement, “whole baby revolution“, which has set out to create a parity with male children, in protecting them too from unnecessary mutilation.

Then Russell Crowe apologised recently after tweeting, “Circumcision is barbaric and stupid.  Who are you to correct nature?  Is it real that GOD requires a donation of foreskin? Babies are perfect.”, to a Jewish friend via the micro blogging site.

It appears this traditional procedure still continues to be controversial, so much so that even Mr. Crowe, famous for his short temper, felt he had to say sorry for voicing an opinion.

But let’s think about this logically. A baby boy is born. He is healthy, intact and disease free. Then the decision  is made to chop off a piece of his anatomy, with no real, tangible benefit. Why? Religion? Culture? Tradition?

Does it look better? Is it more hygienic? Can you justify hurting a child for the goal of the aesthetic? Can a child not be taught how to properly clean his penis?

There has, in recent years, been research taking place which shows possibly that the foreskin may be a route for HIV infection, due to it being more porous and more prone to micro tears than other types of skin. Fine. I would suggest you teach your child to use condoms. Easily solved. It may sound flippant, but if a family has members who are prone to ingrown toenails, do those people chop off their childrens’ toes? No!

I would suggest people think long and hard about having this performed on your child. It is painful. Are you a good parent if you are only having this done because of tradition and family pressure? I can’t say, but it would be a poor choice. Tradition is a convenient excuse not to have to think for yourself and make conscious decisions.

If you are going to do this to your son, ask yourself what your motivation is, and then think how you will explain it to your son when he is older.

And Mr. Crowe? Please don’t apologise for having a point of view. Politically correct, but so wrong.