The enlightened Egyptians. A doctor's view.

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=reform&ID=SP4299 ^ | August 3, 1999 | www.memri.org

[Desron13]

Dr. Ahmad 'Ukasha, a professor of psychiatry, refers to the celebrations that accompany the circumcision operation which is usually attended by the girl's family and relatives. Dr. 'Ukasha views this as humiliating, because the girl, he says, is crying in pain, while everybody around are singing and laughing. In many cases, the girl feels oppressed and starts hating herself and her gender. A long treatment is required to overcome the bad psychological consequences.

However, there are senior doctors in Egypt who do not share this opinion. Dr. Munir Muhammad Fauzi, the Head of the Gynecology Department at the Ein Shams University in Cairo was the one who appealed against the Minister of Health's prohibition on female circumcision. The Head of the Orthopedic Department at the hospital in the city of Embaba, claims that "circumcision is very beneficial for girls. It is only the protruding part of the clitoris that is being cut off. This operation both beautifies and purifies the woman. About the rumors of damage caused to girls by the circumcision - this happens only with girls who do not go to experts."

Dr. Majdi Mahfouz, a pediatrician and internist, adds: "female circumcision is mandatory both from the medical and the psychological sense. I perform this operation in my private clinic. Had I turned down the girls who come to my clinic, they would have it done by non-experts. The minister's decision would lead to that, because the phenomenon is widespread." "I will perform it on my daughters," Dr. Mahfouz concludes, "it protects women from the vices spread in our society."

[Henrietta]

"Male circumcision may not be the best idea, although it doesn't do much if any harm, "

I'm not sure I agree. While it doesn't interfere with a man's ability to experience sexual pleasure later in life (as many circumsized men will attest) tissue that has lots of nerve endings is being removed, and I have to wonder if men could have a BETTER time in bed with that tissue left intact. How are we to know what kind of harm it causes, 'cause it's not as if we do a "before and after" on adult males to see how much sensation is reduced after circumcision.

I don't think cutting pieces off of kids' genitals is a good thing at all.... If they want to cut pieces off of themselves later, well, then it's up to them.

[Savage Beast]

There are men who have been circumcized as adults. I've never seen a compilation of their opinions. As for myself, I couldn't be more delighted with myself (and neither could a host of women).

Circumcision of male babies perhaps should not be done. I don't feel strongly about it one way or the other, and evidently neither do most other men. However, it cannot be compared to clitoridectomy, which is more like amputation of the penis than removal of the foreskin.

[dennisw]

btttttttttttt

[LaraCroft]

Sounds about like the arguments that America uses to mutilate and mar young boys.

What's the difference?

Stop it all,... it's time to move forward and not cling to outdated medical practices.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Some research article I read a few years ago stated that women who had ongoing sexual relationships with uncircumcised men had, as a group, FAR higher instances of cervical cancer.
Don't pull the rabbi's card out of the Rolodex yet.

[LaraCroft]

oh pooh.

I have an idea.. why don't all women take out there uteruses... that will cut down on cancer.. remove the breasts while your at it. All men get prostate cancer eventually... take that out early and beat the rush.

Junk science is what circumcision is. If God didn't want it there, he wouldn't have put it there in the first place.

Besides, as a woman, I've been with both 'types' of men and it is far far better sex with uncircumcised.