[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 09 Oct 2001 14:27:31: Re: Preputioplasty
As an answer to: Preputioplasty written by Joey at 08 Oct 2001 16:53:23:
> Why don't doctors perform this instead of circ.? I want serious answers.
OK, let me try a few.
- Circumcision is in general, not performed for medical reasons, but for pseudo-cosmesis. The intention is to look different, that is the reason Jews perform it. Preputioplasty is a medical procedure directed at a medical problem; inability to retract the foreskin, but this is rarely the true reason for performing a circumcision (and as you will know when you ask this question, progressive stretching would generally achieve the same end). Preputioplasty does not result is a circumcised appearance, so does not achieve the usually desired end.
- Circumcision was introduced in the nineteenth century to American and spread to Britain and Australia, as a deliberate punitive measure to attempt sexual repression which was seen as a socially desirable thing. There is a lot more to this and it is well documented, but suffice to say that this still figures prominently in the rationale for circumcision despite an ostensibly more educated populace. In other words, the whole concept for both parents and doctors, of interfering with the sexuality of others, has considerable perverse appeal because there really is a lot of sexual repression and malcontent "out there"! Have I expressed this adequately? It's all very "Freudian" I know.
- Circumcision is profitable. Now if one classes competent preputioplasty as a plastic surgical procedure, comparable to eyelid lift (and is it not?), then it should by rights attract a high premium. In practice however, people set a very low value on the sexual organs (again illustrating the universality of the repression to which I refer) and view a circumcision as better "value-for-money" because you really can see a result (whereas the very aim of preputioplasty is that you cannot)! The surgeon would rather perform a technically simple procedure for as much money as possible, than one where some skill is required to ensure optimum function.
- The "market" is ignorant. The "quick and permanent fix" is a good selling point if you ignore the disadvantages. The argument is simplistic. The foreskin causes problems, so you cut it off. Since people do not habitually think it has an important use, this is attractive. The fact that it is a common procedure in the USA is used to imply that, since men continue to reproduce despite circumcision, there cannot be problems. Fashion generally overrules commonsense.
- Jews, who (not unreasonably) have an inherent desire to justify the practice of circumcision, are substantially over-represented (purely as a proportion in the population, that is) in the medical profession of all countries where circumcision is common (and a few where it is not).
Comment?
- Re: Preputioplasty rjk 1/31/2002 23:30 (0)
- Re: Preputioplasty Jim 10/10/2001 17:25 (0)