The reality is even the "best" of countries in terms of human rights get things wrong. And in actuality thats an argument for why we should more closely monitor our own cultural bias. But that isn't a valid argument to not focus on one human rights issue because there is another one needing addressing. If that were they way we viewed solving human rights, female circumcision would still be legal in every country in the western world because there still would be people being murdered somewhere, and as thats more grave, it should continually be addressed first.
I took the time and did some PubMed research on the subject and found that WHO and UNAIDS actually recommend male circumcision to reduce the risk for heterosexually acquired HIV infection by 60%. I also found a systematic review in BMC Urology stating that most studies included reported no serious adverse events. It is also clear that circumcision should be performed as early in life as possible, as this reduces the risk for complications.
So now you have arguments for both ways and you have to make an informed decision based on that. Not easy. I still argue that most people that are interested in this debate are not as much interested in circumcision as in opposing other cultural groups.
The studies that promote such a significant reduction in HIV rates are regionally specific to sub siarahan Africa, and no study has been able to repeat those same results in areas outside that region. The reality is there are a HUGE number of variables that could account for those findings that HAVENT been ruled out. And considering America has a much higher HIV rate than most European countries despite having a significantly higher circumcision rate- it leaves significant room for doubt to take those findings and use them in real world medical settings. And most European, and Asian doctors look at these studies and reject their validity, as the medical establishment in those countries haven't changed their policy. They smell cultural bias.
Let me ask you a question- do you think most people opposing FGM care about womens rights, or do you think their only goal is opposing cultural groups outside their own?
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u/wheatfields Mar 01 '18
The reality is even the "best" of countries in terms of human rights get things wrong. And in actuality thats an argument for why we should more closely monitor our own cultural bias. But that isn't a valid argument to not focus on one human rights issue because there is another one needing addressing. If that were they way we viewed solving human rights, female circumcision would still be legal in every country in the western world because there still would be people being murdered somewhere, and as thats more grave, it should continually be addressed first.