Agree. I wonder what comes first in the eyes of the legislator though - the child's rights (e.g.physical integrity) or something else. There's a lot to debate here but I doubt there's a will to tackle this issue. And as long as people do believe there're certain benefits....(the alleged protection against STD including HIV is simply...I don't have words.)

You aren't alone. These issues are conflicts of traditions, history, religion, health, ethics, etc. etc. I wouldn't ever allow it aside of a medical issue. But that is completely irrelevant - we are collectively thinking how to intelligently bring a change about and implement it, so it sticks. Shaming parents or anyone will not do it. Despite me disagreeing with the practice - I understand as olygirl posted - why it is still popular and why it is hated.

In one of the places that I worked a 17 year old co-worker ( praktikum ) said he is planning to have his penis cut off. And he had already made plans to have it done. Crazy!!

I thought you have to be 18 to change gender?

Yes could be 18. But what a crazy mutilation at that age. No chance to reverse a dumb decision.

This is pretty much the only reason it still exisits as a practice today.

UK's NHS pays to change genders & then change the person back, huge waste of taxpayers money if you ask me.

Medically well established. Those are the words you are looking for.

Exactly.

Tom

Maybe you can explain how they change a " female " back to a male. Do they keep "the offending part" frozen for lifetime

Same way they can't fully change a male to a fully functioing female because you can't just build ovaries and many other bits besides out of random skin and fat tissues. But they can do what they can which is already pretty impressive.

just google "strap on" for some ideas.

You think?
There are opinions and opinions on this one. I'd go with condoms any time.
https://www.doctorsopposingcircumcis.../human-rights/
As for "medically well established"..this is a very good article:
http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/sam...view/5384/3655
or here
https://www.doctorsopposingcircumcis...efits/hivaids/

Of course I can understand the religious/cultural arguments, but let's leave it at that.

Btw, would you personally engage in a dangerous/risky behaviour if you knew circumcision only reduces the risks of contacting STDs/HIV? I thought so. So this alleged benefit is neither here nor there. I think the popularisation of these studies can give a false sense of security.

Yes, of course. Since I am circumcised I make sure to hire at least 14 HIV-positive prostitutes every week. This allows me to be completely sure. It does get expensive but I think it's well worth it for peace of mind.

Be sure you wear a face mask.

On what part of the body?

Condoms do occasionally split, about 1 in 750 times from personal experience.

Stud (the 750 times, what precise figure )

You keep stats? Or you got an app for it?

That is a pretty good ratio, I have not kept precise numbers but can count the number of condom failures on one hand, although actual breakage of the thing was not so much an issue as it just slipping off.

Whatever the reason: Poor application technique, choosing an unsuitable size and insufficient lubrication tend to be the main culprits but if it is that rare, you must be doing ok in this regard. There is also the "off-centre re-entry at speed" that can cause breakages and of course the (hopefully no longer) popular "storing a rubber in your wallet until you may one day get a chance to use it" approach is not a good idea if you want it to actually work reliably.

Regardless: Better to have a bit of a panic once in a blue moon with the knowledge that you did the necessary than a constant niggling dread and being aware that you have only yourself to blame if it goes wrong, no?

I asked my son (aged 27) how he would feel if I had had him circumcised when he was a baby. "Very, very pissed off," he said. "It wouldn't have been your call to mess with my body, unless there'd been some serious medical reasons."

"What if I'd done it for religious reasons?"
"Just because millions of people do the same thing doesn't mean they're right. Just look at the followers of, say, Hitler, Mussolini, pretty much any leader of any religious cult. Like you always said, question everything."