... a cutting edge activity for the summer: oplan circumcision/ libre tuli .. (philippines, life coach, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

as a filipino physician, i am neither for nor against circumcision.
.medically speaking, when done correctly, the surgical procedure poses no physical harm on the patient except, of course, for the wound it creates. barring infection, the wound generally heals fully within 2 weeks.
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psychologically speaking, if the patient is emotionally prepared and supported, the patient shouldn't experience any short- or long-term psychological trauma. any anxiety or fear (the usual fear of pain, needles, or blood) is limited to the period immediately before, during, and after the 20-minute surgical procedure.
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culturally speaking, circumcision is a rite of manhood which generally all filipino children are expected to undergo. it is a source of confidence for filipino children to courageously go through the "ordeal" because to shirk away from this rite of passage is a sign of cowardice and inferiority. for filipinos, it is not circumcision which causes long-term psychological trauma. it is in not being circumcised that filipino males become the object of ridicule and derision, thus creating in them a deep shame that can mar their sense of manhood and over-all sense of self for life.
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