San Francisco to ban circumcision

[shadows]

I don't believe that it is the place for the government to dictate whether a child is circumcised or not. It should be the decision of the parents.

[ila]

I've never seen a country where people get as militant about circumcision as the US. In my opinion it is a personal and sometimes religious decision and this is something that no government should be getting involved in.

[randolph]

Originally Posted by ila

I've never seen a country where people get as militant about circumcision as the US. In my opinion it is a personal and sometimes religious decision and this is something that no government should be getting involved in.

A child is not able to make that decision. The bill is to prevent circumcision for children under eighteen years old.

[Amy]

Body modification of ANY FORM is the decision of THE INDIVIDUAL GETTING IT.

Would you support people tattooing their babies?
Giving them breast implants?
HELL NO.

It's no different for genital mutilation.

If the kid chooses it as a cosmetic procedure once they reach legal adulthood, then fine. IT IS THEIR BODY. It belongs to nobody else.

[ila]

Originally Posted by randolph

A child is not able to make that decision. The bill is to prevent circumcision for children under eighteen years old.

Originally Posted by Amy

Body modification of ANY FORM is the decision of THE INDIVIDUAL GETTING IT.

Would you support people tattooing their babies?
Giving them breast implants?
HELL NO.

It's no different for genital mutilation.

If the kid chooses it as a cosmetic procedure once they reach legal adulthood, then fine. IT IS THEIR BODY. It belongs to nobody else.

I never stated that I was for or against circumcision. All I said was that the government has no business getting involved in this.

[randolph]

Originally Posted by ila

I never stated that I was for or against circumcision. All I said was that the government has no business getting involved in this.

Do you think parents have a right to circumcize their male child?

[ila]

Originally Posted by randolph

Do you think parents have a right to circumcize their male child?

I really don't see a problem with this. I was circumcised when I was very young and it didn't and doesn't bother me. If one is going to be circumcised it is better to have it done when one is young.

[Amy]

Originally Posted by ila

All I said was that the government has no business getting involved in this.

They do. They make the laws.
This is a matter of law.

They exist to serve the citizens of the nation. Those children are citizens of the nation. They are entitled to every right that comes with it. Of course if you're for there being no laws against people doing whatever they want to someone else's body without their informed consent, then I'm sure there are a good few sadistic criminals who would agree with you...

(I'm sure you are NOT in favour of that, I'm just trying to point out the logical flaw in claiming that matters of legal protections of individuals ARE BY NECESSITY a matter for lawmakers)

Originally Posted by ila

If I understand the linked news story correctly then the proposed ban would only apply to the city of San Francisco. I have to wonder if the city really has the power to enact a law like this. It would be rather strange to make a medical operation illegal in one city and yet that same operation would be legal in the rest of the state.

This inconsistency seems silly. However, if it reduces the number of people who are simply offered it by a doctor looking to make some extra bucks - then it's some small measure of progress. Only people really determined to get it done will go elsewhere for it.

[Amy]

Originally Posted by Amy

I'm just trying to point out the logical flaw in claiming that matters of legal protections of individuals are not BY NECESSITY a matter for lawmakers)

Typo fixed, sorry.

Originally Posted by Slavetoebony

But I don't think this bill is about mature adults making a personal choice about their bodies, but about the rights of children. It's easy for a doctor or parent making a decision about a new-born baby. But as an adult this baby might wish for whatever reason his foreskin was still intact. Once it's gone, you can't put it back. And babies can't give consent.

Yep.
And it's a pretty important part of the body, too. There are a few good reasons we're born with one.

[desirouspussy]

Originally Posted by Amy

Body modification of ANY FORM is the decision of THE INDIVIDUAL GETTING IT.

Would you support people tattooing their babies?
Giving them breast implants?
HELL NO.

It's no different for genital mutilation.

If the kid chooses it as a cosmetic procedure once they reach legal adulthood, then fine. IT IS THEIR BODY. It belongs to nobody else.

You are so right, Amy! And government has every right to stop this mutilation of innocent children. It should be outlawed worldwide.

[Amy]

Originally Posted by GGadmirer

You are so right, Amy! And government has every right to stop this mutilation of innocent children. It should be outlawed worldwide.

I really can't see why the US makes such a big deal of this, myself. Allowing a cosmetic procedure that was introduced to their country by religious extremists as a means of "preventing masturbation" (Which worked soooooo well, didn't it?) to be routinely pressured on parents of new babies is something that should be really simple for a country which prides itself on freedoms of the individual to see as not being acceptable. ESPECIALLY in a country which regularly has bills on the books in various states which would recognise a foetus as a legal citizen of the country with all the associated rights.

It's a case of VERY selective outrage, it would appear.

[GRH]

I resent what you imply. Circumcision if part of the Jewish covenant with God...Hardly a "cosmetic procedure" introduced by religious "extremists." You are free to disagree with the Jewish faith if you wish; I would in turn disagree with parents that baptize babies. In neither case should the state be intervening in what is a personal decision for the family.

[Slavetoebony]

Originally Posted by ila

I've never seen a country where people get as militant about circumcision as the US. In my opinion it is a personal and sometimes religious decision and this is something that no government should be getting involved in.

I agree, Ila, and I am sick and tired of the over intrusive nanny state as well. But I don't think this bill is about mature adults making a personal choice about their bodies, but about the rights of children. It's easy for a doctor or parent making a decision about a new-born baby. But as an adult this baby might wish for whatever reason his foreskin was still intact. Once it's gone, you can't put it back. And babies can't give consent.

[liesjeversteven]

Originally Posted by shadows

I don't believe that it is the place for the government to dictate whether a child is circumcised or not. It should be the decision of the parents.

Now here I don't agree. It shouldn't be up to the parents to decide whether a child's penis ought to be mutilated, but up to the child itself when it's grown up enough to decide that for himself.