[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 24 Apr 2001 00:43:09: Re: In re situations where gal won't marry uncirced
As an answer to: Re: In re situations where gal won't marry uncirced written by rjk at 23 Apr 2001 18:45:30:
> AIDS is not necessarily as common in circumcised as in uncircumcised
> males. If you question this assertion, just look at a map of Africa
> that shows the percentage of AIDS in the populations of North African
> (predominantly Muslim)countries versus the rest of the continent.And therein lies the problem in these numbers. Unless I am very much
mistaken, Muslim countries have significant behavioural differences
regarding sexuality - recall the bit about the penalty for theft being
removal of a hand? Do you know what it is for sleeping around?> This is fact, not contention, and is well-known,
The raw numbers are well known, but what they mean and whether they
imply a need for universal circumcision is still quite contentious.> AIDS is definitely NOT spreading as fast in America as in many South
> African countries,Of course it isn't. But it's spreading faster than in any other "first
world" country, notably those who don't circumcise, so you have to ask
why those other countries aren't as badly off as either America or
South Africa?> and its spread in North America is attributed more to such lifestyles
> as drug use and homosexual anal sex than to the presence/absence or
> circumcision.Absolutely. You're catching on. But, are these practices so much
less rampant in Europe and how do they figure in South Africa?As you observe, there are some studies that suggest that circumcision
might mitigate the spread of AIDS in Africa, being more practical than
teaching them not to copulate like rabbits with the whole neighbourhood,
while no studies in "western" countries indicate such.By the way, have you heard of "dry sex" in relation to Africa?