Earmuffs, Dads. This one's gonna hurt. Today we're talking about circumcision. Why? Because the American Academy of Pediatrics has just revised their stance on the issue, claiming that the preventative health benefits of circumcision outweigh the associated risks.
If you're interested, you can read the story on CNN here.
The AAP does stop short of actually recommending the procedure, saying that it's up to you to make the decision based on religion, culture or health. But based on results of the scientific studies they claim to have "examined" it's clear where they stand. They credit their revision to evidence that suggests that circumcision results to a decreased risk of urinary tract infections, certain cancers and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
But there are hardcore opponents to circumcision that say the procedure is not only barbaric, but a violation of the child's legal rights. In Germany, a court actually ruled that religious circumcision of children is a crime which, understandably, has angered Jewish and Muslim groups.
So what do you think? Should circumcision be outlawed regardless of religious beliefs? Should it simply be postponed until the child is capable of making his own decision? Or do you side with the AAP who thinks the health benefits outweigh the risks?
Photo by Flickr member Lisa Rosario Photography, used under a Creative Commons License.