Letter: Male mutilation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: American Gregg Sneirson (letter, 30 September) asks if he's missed something in the circumcision debate. Apparently, he's missed a great deal.
In the US and Britain, over 95 per cent of circumcisions hold no cultural relevance. Parental fears about social conformity are the reason that 60 per cent of boys in the US are circumcised at birth. In Britain, 7 per cent of boys are mutilated due to over-prescription of circumcision for conditions treatable without surgery.
Sneirson contends that, "When the circumcised themselves begin to lobby against the practice it will be time to take the issue seriously." Circumcised men in the US have been lobbying against the practice since the 1980s. Tens of thousands of us have awakened to the physical, sexual and psychological consequences of our circumcisions. Thousands are pursuing foreskin restoration methods to regain their genital integrity.
That letters from Jewish and Muslim men opposing circumcision may not have appeared in The Independent does not mean that these men do not exist. In the US they have publicly opposed circumcision. An organisation of Jews opposing circumcision even exists in Israel, where they have petitioned a high court to ban the practice as a human rights violation.
TIM HAMMOND
Executive Director
National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males
San Francisco, California
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments