.
If it makes no difference that a circumcised penis IS easier to keep clean and that a circumcised penis is more pleasing aesthetically (and boys don’t need to feel ‘different, but fit in with their peers) then how about this:
UNCIRCUMCISED MEN ARE ABOUT TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE INFECED WITH HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) AND PASS IT ALONG TO SEXUAL PARTNERS, RESULTING IN HIGHER CERVICAL CANCER RATES in regions where the majority of men are uncircumcised [source: Infectious Diseases Society of America].
It also appears that circumcision helps protect against infection from chlamydia and syphilis [source: JAMA
http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=circumcision.htm&url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007172820.htm
Recent studies have shown that circumcision can dramatically reduce the rate of HIV infection. According to these studies, A CIRCUMCISED MAN IS 60 percent LESS LIKELY TO CONTACT HIV than an uncircumcised man [source: Timbert].
http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=circumcision.htm&url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007172820.htm
(This holds true only in the case of female-to-male transmission — circumcision hasn’t been seen to influence the rate of male-to-male HIV transmission [source: JAMA].)
http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=circumcision.htm&url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007172820.htm
_________________
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/circumcision/MY01023/DSECTION=why-its-done
>Decreased risk of urinary tract infections. The overall risk of urinary tract infections in males is low, but these infections may be more common in uncircumcised males.
Severe infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later on.
>Prevention of penile problems. Occasionally, the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis may be difficult or impossible to retract (phimosis). This can also lead to inflammation of the foreskin or head of the penis.
>Decreased risk of penile cancer. Although cancer of the penis is rare, it’s less common in circumcised men. In addition, cervical cancer is less common in the female sexual partners of circumcised men.
>Decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections. Safe sexual practices remain essential, but circumcised men may have a lower risk of certain sexually transmitted infections including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
.
Let's agree on a number of fairly obvious true things, many of which you stated or implied:
So, DUH, keep it clean. Yeah, we all agree that keeping it that clean is a pain in ... neck.
Regardless of the health argument, my point was:That's all. It's a simple matter of personal privacy and liberty regarding one's own body.
LEAVE IT ALONE UNTIL THE OWNER OF THE FORESKIN DECIDES IT'S TOO MUCH TROUBLE TO CLEAN IT AND WANTS IT REMOVED.
I will never understand why you pro-circumcision folks, especially conservatives, can't see that simple point. Oh, well.