Deaths resulting from genital mutilations (a.k.a., circumcisions)

[Fidem Turbare, the non-existent atheist goddess]

I came across a web site which provides a lot of details about deaths
resulting from genital mutilations (which the genital mutilation
community refers to as "circumcision" to disguise its horrific nature),
but the statistics at the bottom of the page covers only the region of
Eastern Cape, South Africa:

Male circumcision morbidity and mortality statistics
Eastern Cape, South Africa, 2001-5
Year Month Admsns. Mutils. Deaths
2001 June 124 20 24
2001 Dec. 200 11 12
2002 June 291 14 33
2002 Dec. 156 19 17
2003 June 227 22 21
2003 Dec. 84 7 20
2004 June 118 3 14
2004 Dec. 260 2 13
2005 June 288 9 23
Total 1748 107 177
Average per annum 388 24 39
The number of deaths has risen sharply since.

Source: http://www.circumstitions.com/death.html

I'm interested in suggestions for sources of more up-to-date statistics,
for the world, or at least some countries like the USA and Canada, etc.

Thanks.

[windinghighway]

Post by Fidem Turbare, the non-existent atheist goddess
I came across a web site which provides a lot of details about deaths
resulting from genital mutilations (which the genital mutilation
community refers to as "circumcision" to disguise its horrific nature),
but the statistics at the bottom of the page covers only the region of
Male circumcision morbidity and mortality statistics
Eastern Cape, South Africa, 2001-5
Year Month Admsns. Mutils. Deaths
2001 June 124 20 24
2001 Dec. 200 11 12
2002 June 291 14 33
2002 Dec. 156 19 17
2003 June 227 22 21
2003 Dec. 84 7 20
2004 June 118 3 14
2004 Dec. 260 2 13
2005 June 288 9 23
Total 1748 107 177
Average per annum 388 24 39
The number of deaths has risen sharply since.
Source: http://www.circumstitions.com/death.html
I'm interested in suggestions for sources of more up-to-date statistics,
for the world, or at least some countries like the USA and Canada, etc.

If you are hoping to get more gruesome numbers for your propaganda purposes, you will be very disappointed because circumcision in countries like USA, Canada, etc is very safe, as it is in most places in the world. The situation you cite among traditionalist elements of the Xhosa population in South Africa is unique. It is a rite of passage in which young men isolate themselves for a week or more in makeshift huts where they are circumcised by amateurs in unhygienic conditions, often with unsterilized instruments. They are bound by their code of honor to seek no outside help even if infection sets in. These informal circumcisions are completely illegal in South Africa.

On the bright side, this ghastly practice is fast disappearing and most Xhosa men enjoy the benefits of circumcision in a clinical setting. Even better news is that the practice of circumcision is now spreading to the country's largest ethnic group, the Zulu. The crazed Zulu king Shaka banned circumcision among the Zulu in the 19th century, which has been a source of great shame to the Zulu ever since. However the current King has now reversed that policy and called on his people to start circumcising again. He has even had his own foreskin snipped off, to set a good example. Moreover, South Africa's president Jacob Zuma, who is also a Zulu (and a man with enormous sexual appetites), has had himself circumcised too and is well pleased with the results. He has urged circumcision for the entire male population.

Of course the main impetus for this change in circumcision practices is the HIV epidemic. Kwa Zulu Natal, the Zulu homeland, has the highest HIV incidence in South Africa. Research indicates that male circumcision could save many millions of lives in Africa, and for this reason several African countries have launched or are planning mass circumcision campaigns.

Once in a while a foreskin lover comes into this forum and laments the deplorable fate of a small number of Xhosa initiates. But in several years of coming this forum I have never -- never, ever, ever --- seen a single one of them express a single word of regret about the millions who have contracted lethal foreskin related diseases, notably HIV, penile cancer, and cervical cancer. Not once. Not a single word. Ever.

You see, they care only about foreskins, and the preservation of foreskins at any cost. They don't give a rat's ass about the people who die needlessly because they or a partner were uncircumcised. They don't want to know about it, they dont want to think about it, and they sure dont want to care about it.

[Casaman]

Post by windinghighway
The situation you cite among traditionalist elements of the Xhosa population in South Africa is unique. It is a rite of passage in which young men isolate themselves for a week or more in makeshift huts where they are circumcised by amateurs in unhygienic conditions, often with unsterilized instruments. They are bound by their code of honor to seek no outside help even if infection sets in.

I saw a fascinating documentary on this very subject on Al Jazeera last night. Seems that this is not just the more primitive rural Xhosa who do this but the whole tribe.The progamme followed this young chap who was very well spoken, a pupil in what seemed to be a fancy exclusive UK-style boarding school (striped blazers and all that).Next thing you know he is out in the bush wearing a blanket with his face all painted white along with a bunch of other youths the same age.They decide themselves when to get to circumcised and where and who is to do it.They live for two weeks in a hut after some unqualified witchdoctor type cuts off their foreskins with a knife, no anesthetic. Each year some of them get infections and a few die or lose their penises which is almost as bad I suppose for a young man. They are absolutely committed to it though, it is an intitiation ceremeny and in the Xhosa you cannot be man if you are not circumcised. If your cock is still covered with skin you are considered a child forever and no Xhosa woman will sleep with you.Everybody they interviewed favoured circumcision but some said it should be done by a qualified doctor in a hospital or clinic which is what the government tries to enforce.

[j***@gmail.com]

Post by windinghighway

Post by Fidem Turbare, the non-existent atheist goddess
I came across a web site which provides a lot of details about deaths
resulting from genital mutilations (which the genital mutilation
community refers to as "circumcision" to disguise its horrific nature),
but the statistics at the bottom of the page covers only the region of
Male circumcision morbidity and mortality statistics
Eastern Cape, South Africa, 2001-5
Year Month Admsns. Mutils. Deaths
2001 June 124 20 24
2001 Dec. 200 11 12
2002 June 291 14 33
2002 Dec. 156 19 17
2003 June 227 22 21
2003 Dec. 84 7 20
2004 June 118 3 14
2004 Dec. 260 2 13
2005 June 288 9 23
Total 1748 107 177
Average per annum 388 24 39
The number of deaths has risen sharply since.
Source: http://www.circumstitions.com/death.html
I'm interested in suggestions for sources of more up-to-date statistics,
for the world, or at least some countries like the USA and Canada, etc.

If you are hoping to get more gruesome numbers for your propaganda purposes, you will be very disappointed because circumcision in countries like USA, Canada, etc is very safe, as it is in most places in the world. The situation you cite among traditionalist elements of the Xhosa population in South Africa is unique. It is a rite of passage in which young men isolate themselves for a week or more in makeshift huts where they are circumcised by amateurs in unhygienic conditions, often with unsterilized instruments. They are bound by their code of honor to seek no outside help even if infection sets in. These informal circumcisions are completely illegal in South Africa.
On the bright side, this ghastly practice is fast disappearing and most Xhosa men enjoy the benefits of circumcision in a clinical setting. Even better news is that the practice of circumcision is now spreading to the country's largest ethnic group, the Zulu. The crazed Zulu king Shaka banned circumcision among the Zulu in the 19th century, which has been a source of great shame to the Zulu ever since. However the current King has now reversed that policy and called on his people to start circumcising again. He has even had his own foreskin snipped off, to set a good example. Moreover, South Africa's president Jacob Zuma, who is also a Zulu (and a man with enormous sexual appetites), has had himself circumcised too and is well pleased with the results. He has urged circumcision for the entire male population.
Of course the main impetus for this change in circumcision practices is the HIV epidemic. Kwa Zulu Natal, the Zulu homeland, has the highest HIV incidence in South Africa. Research indicates that male circumcision could save many millions of lives in Africa, and for this reason several African countries have launched or are planning mass circumcision campaigns.
Once in a while a foreskin lover comes into this forum and laments the deplorable fate of a small number of Xhosa initiates. But in several years of coming this forum I have never -- never, ever, ever --- seen a single one of them express a single word of regret about the millions who have contracted lethal foreskin related diseases, notably HIV, penile cancer, and cervical cancer. Not once. Not a single word. Ever.
You see, they care only about foreskins, and the preservation of foreskins at any cost. They don't give a rat's ass about the people who die needlessly because they or a partner were uncircumcised. They don't want to know about it, they dont want to think about it, and they sure dont want to care about it.

If folks think having their foreskins cut off will save them from some horrible disease, they should go ahead and get it cut off. Or, get the whole thing cut off. But cutting off part of the penis of someone who is unable to consent to satisfy one's own sense of aesthetics ("ewww, it gross") is obviously unethical.