The problem here is the numbers, and that is why I threw in the 99.9%. Because so many boys are circumcised, worldwide, the numbers start to sound meaningful even when they are not. When I talked about the miniscule benefit and the even smaller risk the numbers affected sound large but are a very small percentage of the total.
So for most of the world circumcision holds no benefit, but for thousands of people in Africa it could prevent transmission of AIDS to them (while for millions it doesn't). Meanwhile maybe hundreds of people are physically affected by botched circumcisions.
Yes, there are people who have mental health problems that centre on being circumcised, but is that cause or effect? Should we give up hygiene because excessive cleanliness is a common manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder?
Circumcise or not it really won't make any difference so be happy in your choice. Just don't tell me that you won't get your kids vaccinated because of the risk of side effects....
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Date: 2008-08-04 07:58 am (UTC)So for most of the world circumcision holds no benefit, but for thousands of people in Africa it could prevent transmission of AIDS to them (while for millions it doesn't). Meanwhile maybe hundreds of people are physically affected by botched circumcisions.
Yes, there are people who have mental health problems that centre on being circumcised, but is that cause or effect? Should we give up hygiene because excessive cleanliness is a common manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder?
Circumcise or not it really won't make any difference so be happy in your choice. Just don't tell me that you won't get your kids vaccinated because of the risk of side effects....