In March of 2010, lawmakers in the City of Boston in the State of Massachusetts debated a bill that would make it illegal for parents to circumcise boys, unless there's a medical reason. There was discussion on Beacon Hill about whether to take the decision out of the hands of parents. It would ban the procedure on any male under the age of 18 even for religious reasons.
Under the legislation, people who disregard the ban would face a fine and possible 14-year prison sentence.
The proposal classifies male circumcision as genital mutilation and supporters of the bill say male infants can't possible consent to the procedure.
They testified here on Beacon Hill, calling circumcision unethical at its core.
The Centers for Disease Control says lack of circumcision has been linked to sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections and penile cancer.
In the US, common complications include minor bleeding and infection.
The CDC doesn't recommend either way, preferring to leave the decision up to the person and their parents.
Info Source: Various Boston Newspapers.
It is about time people starting thinking about stopping infant circumcision. I really wish my parents had left my penis alone when I was born. I would prefer to have my whole sex organ. I am restoring my foreskin and I know the difference having a foreskin makes.
ReplyDeleteI agree that boys and men should be allowed to make this important decision for themselves, but 18 seems a bit extreme. I think most teenage boys (14-ish) are competent to make the decision.
ReplyDeleteIt's illegal to cut the prepuce off a baby girl. Why don't boys get the same protection?
ReplyDeleteWe don't cut normal healthy living tissue off a child in any other circumstances. Why is the penis an exception?