Circumcision: The Unkindest Cut? | Asian American Poll

CIRCUMCISION: THE UNKINDEST CUT?
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:23:08 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Do you believe circumcision is beneficial for Asian American male infants?
Yes | 34%
No | 64%
I'm not sure | 2%

Assuming you are an Asian American man, are you circumcised?
Yes | 47%
No | 53%

Assuming you are an Asian American woman, would you prefer the males of your family and/or sexual partners to be circumcised?
Yes | 33%
No | 59%
I don't care either way | 8%

This poll is closed to new input.
Comments posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

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WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

i was too small to protest
altaic Friday, December 13, 2002 at 21:45:44 (PST) [66.234.73.2]

circumsision is an unnessary operation, and is considered cosmetic surgery, at least with my health insurance. I chose not to circumsize my son after seeing the painful red penis of a baby newly circumsized in my birthing class. My ex-husband, who wasn't circumsized taught me how to clean our son's penis. All you have to do is gently pull back on the forskin don't force it if it won't go. The head will come out eventually. Just teach your son to pull down his skin and wash his penis with soap and water. It's basic hygenie without being cut.
amy Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 20:29:25 (PST) [67.0.219.193]

Circumcision is basically a money-tree for doctors. However, even a large percentage of the medical profession now agree that there is no justification for circumcision, unless medically justified (and many of the so-called medical problems "requiring" circumcision can be cured by less radical means). The lamest argument is that most American boys are cut and the child would feel subconcious not being circumcised. Bull! I was born here and am extremely proud to be an American. However, we are too quick to conform in this country to the perceived norm. After having spent two years living in the UK, Imust state one cold, hard and sad fact. Most Americans say we are the #1 nation in the world. Yes and no. We're number one when it comes to making money, but as far as open-minded thinking and common sense, sadly, we're near the bottom.
Franklin Monday, October 28, 2002 at 23:57:06 (PST) [67.241.172.185]

Boo! Here's a Clinton lobby at work!! Let's stay uncircumcised to prevent that stuff!
conservative Monday, October 21, 2002 at 14:58:27 (PDT) [62.158.89.179]

I have had both and i prefer the smell, look, taste and the feel of a circumcised one. I also got infections with one of the uncircumcised men i was with its the big reason we broke up.
AZN Female Sunday, October 20, 2002 at 19:24:35 (PDT) [12.217.115.233]

TC:

True, I've only experienced sex as a circumcised man. The way our body works and certain emotional factors help to determine what type of sex we enjoy.

"...I can tell you that since my circumcision several years ago I have lost a lot of sensitivity in my glans."

When it comes to sex the most vulnerable parts of the body tend to be where sensuality takes place the most (penis and the nuts, anal canal, vagina, pecks/nipples, under the chin at the jugular vein, ears). Any physical change to these areas can alter your sensitivity and sexual responsiveness.

My point is circumcision removes a layer of skin on the penis and leaves it more "available". In this case, sex tends to be more enjoyable and erotic.

I understand the point you made. Since you've been uncircumcised and now circumcised, I will defer somewhat to your personal experience.
Geoff DB GeoffDB02@aol.com Sunday, October 20, 2002 at 18:37:22 (PDT) [172.194.98.62]

Taiwanese Guy:

"Why get circumcised at all? Isn't that what we're arguing about? If that's a problem, wait til you're older, like 20 or 30."

Actually, having the procedure done in your early 20's is not a bad idea. You're in a better psychological/intellectualy position to be circumcised opposed to teen years.

Some guys have a religious reason for not being circumcised. In my opinion, it's strictly person. It's neither right, nor wrong. Yes, we were born uncircumcised. However, we were also born without teeth. As we gain baby teeth, we remove and lose those. We were born attached to our moms via umbillical cord and we get those removed at birth.

Look, all I'm saying is if a dad knows how much better it is for him circumcised, he has the right to make that choice for his son. Right or wrong? Parents makes myriad choices for their kids that will direct their paths in life.
Geoff DB GeoffDB02@aol.com Saturday, October 19, 2002 at 20:48:45 (PDT) [172.193.24.21]

Geoff DB,

You are not qualified to state that sex with a circumcised penis is better than sex with an intact penis as you've only experienced the former and not the latter. Therefore, you have no basis for making this conclusion and your opinions are not supported.

The only ones qualified to make this judgement are men circumcised as adults, who have had sex before and after and can know the difference between the two.

I am such a person and I can tell you that since my circumcision several years ago I have lost a lot of sensitivity in my glans. Yes, being circumcised does prolong sex from my experience, as you are desensitized. Since you feel less you have to go longer and harder in order to climax. But lasting too long is not a good thing. It gets really frustating because your partner dries up down there and you want to finish but are not even close.

Now I'm not saying that this is true for all men circumcised as adults. That's just my experience and I can state that to be true in my case. You, however, cannot make any claims because you've only seen one side of the story.
TC Friday, October 18, 2002 at 10:11:20 (PDT) [205.186.143.163]

Geoff DB:

"I just think it's too bad to have your kid circumcised as a teenager realizing he will spend some time out of school and walk funny for a while. "

Why get circumcised at all? Isn't that what we're arguing about? If that's a problem, wait til you're older, like 20 or 30.

"It definitely improves oral sex for both parties. "

But is it WORTH cutting off your foreskin? Look, there is a recent book called "Sex As Nature Intended." Check it out. I think it will dispel many of your preconceived notions. Remember, both of us are biased toward our respective positions, but I'm telling you that you are the one with the greater burden. There are those who say that sex with a foreskin is really much more pleasurable. I don't see how your own "opinions" and "personal experiences" can prove anything. What you would need is a systematic study on men who have had it both ways. I haven't seen such a study. Don't you think it would be important to find out, scientifically, whether your theory of "better sex for the circumcised" is true before you decide to recommend that everyone get cut? Isn't that reasonable?

"Keep in mind, in these religious countries, to improve one's self in order to have greater sex is considered sinful."

If you've ever been to Europe, you would immediately know that sex is MUCH more taboo in America than in Europe. Moreover, Americans are also much more religious and uptight about sex than most European countries. I don't think "ignorance" about the sexual benefits of circumcision can really explain the low rates of circumcision in most parts of the world. Circumcision is one of the oldest practices in the world, it's not like they don't know about it. I think a better, more reasonable explanation is that there is no benefit from circumcision, otherwise, everyone would be doing it.

Moreover, what's even more compelling is that in Austrailia, Canada, and Great Britain, when insurance covered circumcisions, circumcision rates were really high. But once insurance stopped paying for it, no one did it anymore. In fact, circumcision rates in those three countries are negligible today. How you can explain that? If circumcision is so great, why did these countries stop cutting once insurance stopped paying for it?

I respect your opinion, but you must admit, your arguments are not really that strong. You recommend that everyone get circumcised because YOU think that it's better for sex. But you I'm sure if you ask any uncircumcised male in the US or abroad, they'll tell you the sex with a complete penis is better.

So who wins? Like I said, you have the burden of proof, remember we are BORN with foreskins.
Taiwanese Guy Thursday, October 17, 2002 at 21:58:26 (PDT) [149.142.26.138]

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