Is female genital cutting worse than male genital cutting? If you ask the women, they sometimes say what men experience is worse.
They/Them (T. T. Perry)
@ttpphd.bsky.social
1.3K followers 3.2K following 4.8K posts
Applied and translational sensory scientist. ttpphd.com mastodon.social/@ttpphd PFP: Sculpture of a distorted face and neck
![It is a non-therapeutic procedure. If it can be called a preventative medicine, it is at the very weakest level. There is nothing wrong with the [uncircumcised] penis; you cannot recommend circumcision based on the medical benefit alone. Nothing about the potential benefits is communicable, so I don't see how it could be called a public health concern. ...Maybe the AAP should get out of the [circumcision] business, since it's not really a medical practice. It's only a 'medical procedure' in the sense that
medical professionals are performing it."
- Andrew Freedman, M.D., Bioethicist for the American Academy of Pediatrics 2012 Circumcision Task Force.
Buckler, Max. 2025. "As controversies mount, circumcision policies need a rethink". Journal of Medical Ethics](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5v5ok2su4caxmwyjrjzvog7h/bafkreiagnueim6wobhmquidompepezioolqm7ijsfqxmpwexwnxnc2v7oa)
![According to Dr. Freedman, “the best analogy is that the AAP guidelines are a ‘permission
slip’ for those who want to circumcise their children so that society cannot say they are bad
parents or outlaw the practice.” In fact, in Freedman’s estimation, there is a sound argument
to be made that future guidance ought to fall more in line with a public safety position or
advisory on certification, rather than a medical recommendation (in line perhaps with other
AAP commentary on non-medical practices such as cheerleading, football, etc). “Maybe the
AAP should get out of the [circumcision] business,” he said, “since it’s not really a medical
practice. It’s only a ‘medical procedure’ in the sense that medical professionals are
performing it.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5v5ok2su4caxmwyjrjzvog7h/bafkreiaxxi3y5vgavtmm5burmgemx6plycvemhwcbatcnbjfmbzm32lziu)
![According to Dr. Freedman, “the best analogy is that the AAP guidelines are a ‘permission
slip’ for those who want to circumcise their children so that society cannot say they are bad
parents or outlaw the practice.” In fact, in Freedman’s estimation, there is a sound argument
to be made that future guidance ought to fall more in line with a public safety position or
advisory on certification, rather than a medical recommendation (in line perhaps with other
AAP commentary on non-medical practices such as cheerleading, football, etc). “Maybe the
AAP should get out of the [circumcision] business,” he said, “since it’s not really a medical
practice. It’s only a ‘medical procedure’ in the sense that medical professionals are
performing it.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5v5ok2su4caxmwyjrjzvog7h/bafkreibf5sxfbfxd2alc7qwgp6afcfb4k4e3eeg72ytu2qmm3h2upo7ssa)