The nation's most influential pediatricians group says the health benefits of circumcision in newborn boys outweigh any risks and insurance companies should pay for it.
In its latest policy statement on circumcision, a procedure that has been declining nationwide, the American Academy of Pediatrics moves closer to an endorsement but says the decision should be up to parents.
"It's not a verdict from on high," said policy co-author Dr. Andrew Freedman. "There's not a one-size-fits-all-answer." But from a medical standpoint, circumcision's benefits in reducing risk of disease outweigh its small risks, said Freedman, a pediatric urologist in Los Angeles.
This just the tip of the story!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, all of the arguments for male circumcision also apply to female circumcision, and I don't see many folks standing up and promoting that. The "benefits" are negligible at best... it's like arguing that we should chop off our eyelids because they get crust in them and are a source for infection. I just don't get it. This would not even be a conversation if it weren't part of religious dogma, it would be considered genital mutilation... and disfigurement. I've got NO problem with someone who wants to be circumcised for religious reasons, but don't force genital mutilation on children, boys OR girls. At least have the decency to let them make up their own minds about chopping off a part of their bodies.
ReplyDeleteAlso, to follow up with 11:50 am's post, I am appalled that you can make light and joke about the forced mutilation of a childs genitalia. How dare you sir.
ReplyDelete5:53
ReplyDeleteFemale genital mutilation is done to prevent the female from enjoying sex in hopes that she wont stray from her husband. It is not done when they are a baby they are held down when they reach puberty.