My hubby Levi** was from a Jewish family but because his mother wasn't Jewish, he wasn't circumcised. He wasn't very religious when we married at 20 but when he was 29, he wanted to become more active in the Jewish community and he decided to get circumcised at the recommendation of his rabbi. As a Buddhist, circumcision has always been against my beliefs but I believe that everyone's body is their own. I didn't want to hold him back in his spirtuality though and I supported him. Levi's circumcision was hard on both of us. We couldn't have sex (and we were VERY active with each other) and things turned scary when the wound got infected. Levi had fevers and nausea for over a week and his antibiotics made his stomach hurt. I felt so bad for him and there was nothing I could do for him. Because he was out of work, it really messed our whole schedule up. We fought a lot during that time but we worked through it and he got better.
The first time we went to have sex and I saw his penis, happy was not the word I'd use to describe my reaction. His penis, which previously had been so beautiful to me (I had always found his foreskin to be extremely attractive), was scarred to the point that made me just want to throw up in my mouth. Nonethless, I tried to hide my disastifaction and we carried on because I expected sex would feel the same. It didn't. Boy, it didn't at all. For the first time since our honeymoon, sex hurt. I wasn't tense or not turned on enough though. I didn't orgasm and the rubbing hurt (which it never had before).
I hoped over time it would get better but it didn't. Whenever we had sex, it felt like his penis was rubbing up against blisters in my vagina. Our sex life really took a hit from this. Our marriage almost crumbled because our intimacy was almost non-existent. We went from having sex AT LEAST 6 times a week having sex maybe once or twice a month. Even oral sex, which I used to find extremely erotic to perform on him, was not as pleasurable for either of us because he has no foreskin to play with. Levi was also feeling the effects of the circumcision. He had a lot less sensitivity after a few months. So we went to sex therapists and doctors. His penis was a little curved to the left as well, which it wasn't before the circumcision. It was straight as an arrow. So we went to a plastic surgeon to see if the curve could be corrected. The plastic surgeon also (thankfully) brought up the idea of restoring foreskin. Levi ultimately decided to try non-surgical foreskin restoration.
The restoration took a few years but a few months into it, I started to feel a difference during sex. The chaffing feeling I had gotten used to feeling had diminished greatly. Not entirely but it definitely took probably 50% of the pain out of sex for me. It's now been three years since he started the restoration and he basically has a full "foreskin" back. It's rekindled a lot of our former sex habits but not all of them. It doesn't have the same oomph it had before his circumcision but I guess the fact that we're getting older plays a part as well.
I think anyone who believes that foreskin is useless is either misinformed or crazy. Why anyone would want to destroy such a beautiful part of their body is unknown to me. What I want to tell people with my husband's experience and my own is that circumcision doesn't just affect a man's sex life negatively but a woman's as well. I'm currently pregnant with our first son and while we plan to raise him Jewish, we do not plan to circumcise him.
Submitted by Lucille from Manitoba, Canada. If you wish to comment on this story or contact Lucille, please post in the comments section below.
** indicates that name has been changed.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Famous Uncircumcised Men
Adam - The first man according to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other Abrahamic faiths.
Ahmose II - Egyptian pharoh and founder of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt.
Alan Cumming - Scottish actor known for his roles in films such as X2: X-Men United, Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.
Bahubali - Son of Lord Rishabha, the first Tirthankara of the Jains.
Buddha - Founder of Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world.
Charles Darwin - English naturalist and founder of Darwinism. Known for works such as On the Origin of Species.
Charlie Chaplin - English comic actor and film director known for his roles in films such as Kid Auto Races at Venice.
Clark Gable - American actor known for his roles in films such as Gone with the Wind, It Happened One Night, and Mutiny on the Bounty.
Colin Farrell - Irish actor known for his roles in films such as Tigerland, Daredevil, Miami Vice, Minority Report, Phone Booth, The Recruit, Alexander, S.W.A.T., and In Bruges.
Confucius - Chinese philospher and founder of Confucianism.
David - Sculpture of a male youth by Michelangelo. Thought to be one of the most magnificent works of art in the world.
Elvis Presley - American icon, actor, and rock star known for songs such as Jailhouse Rock and his films such as Love Me Tender. Known as the "The King of Rock and Roll."
Ewan McGregor - Scottish actor known for his roles in films such as Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge!, Velvet Goldmine, Star Wars Episode I, Star Wars Episode II, and Star Wars Episode III.
Fabio Lanzoni - Italian model known for appearing on the covers of various romance novels and commercials.
Frank Sinatra - American singer and actor known for songs such as Strangers in the Night and My Way and his roles in films as From Here to Eternity.
Harry S. Truman - 33rd president of the United States of America.
Hugh Hefner - Founder of Playboy magazine.
Jimi Hendrix - African-American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Considered to be one of the best guitarists in music history.
John Denver - American singer-songwriter known songs such as Sunshine on My Shoulders, Thank God I'm a Country Boy, and Rocky Mountain High.
John Lennon - English musician and singer-songwriter. Best known for being a member of The Beatles.
Julius Caesar - Roman general and statesmen.
Martin Luther King, Jr. - African-American preacher and human rights activist.
Marvin Gaye - African-American singer known for songs such as I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Sexual Healing, and Let's Get It On. Known as the "Prince of Motown."
Michael Jackson - African-American icon and pop singer known for songs such as Billy Jean and Dirty Diana. Known as the "The Prince of Pop."
Michelangelo - Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Known for his works such as David and the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Ronald Reagan - 40th president of the United States of America.
Socrates - Classic Greek philospher and one of the founders of Western philosophy.
St. Nicholas - A Christian saint who inspired the creation of Sinterklaas and Santa Claus.
Jenna-Lynn's Story
Jenna-Lynn's Story
As an American woman, the first contact I had ever had with an uncircumcised man came when I was 22 years old. I had been blessed with oppertunity to study at Oxford. Though I was an educated and sexually active woman, I had never actually seen an uncircumcised penis. All I knew about them was from my girlfriends back in Georgia, who told me that they "looked funny" and that they were "dirty."
I met Colton one night after my boyfriend had left me stranded in the pouring rain after a fight. With no ride home, I called my friend Ellen** but she was at a dance recital and her younger brother, Colton**, came instead. On the car ride home, Colton and I became friends. Though we got along well after that day , I never looked at Colton beyond a friend. Colton was barely 19 and I had never given any thought to going for a younger man.
Our friends went out together to celebrate Ellen's birthday. Colton, being shy, and I, not knowing most of Ellen's family, spent most of the party together. Long story short, we ended up leaving together. Colton confessed that he'd only been with one girl and he looked very nervous. Colton didn't even know how to kiss open-mouthed and he wasn't extremely endowed (I'd say around 5 inches) so I didn't expect anything extraordinary. I had never had a vaginal orgasm anyway.
I admit that an uncircumcised penis looked weird to me (not ugly though) and I stared enough to make Colton feel self-conscious. Inside, I regretted inviting him back to my flat, forgetting that men in Europe weren't circumcised. But rather be a tease to a guy like Colton, who had been nothing but nice to me since we met, I decided to go through with it. And I'm extremely glad that I did.
The feeling of an uncircumcised penis was different than a circumcised penis. I noticed the difference right from the start. It was a softer penetration and gentler but still firm. Thrusting didn't hurt me like I was used to (that raw, unlubricated vagina feeling that I'm sure many women have felt). A minute or so into it, Colton got a little more steady in his thrusting and it just was an amazing feeling. When he started to thrust faster, it didn't feel rougher or harder. For the first time during sex, I felt my clit being stimulated at the same time with each thrust. I've had sex in the missionary position many times and I had never felt that sort of stimulation with a circumcised man. Colton came a few minutes into it and though I didn't orgasm, it was still more satisfying sex than I had had in the past.
Colton and I had sex a few times after that (though we never remained more than friends). The fourth time we had sex, I had my first vaginal orgasm. I also found that we didn't need to use fake lube to keep me lubricated (and I had always thought my vagina was just excessively dry).
The pleasure I felt with Colton and described here was not a one-time phenomenom. As Colton was not experienced at sex and was definitely not the most experienced of my lovers, I credit his foreskin as the source of my newfound pleasure. Since Colton, I've slept with uncircumcised and circumcised men. Honestly, I can't imagine ever having sex with a circumcised man again.
Submitted by Jenna-Lynn, aged 26 from Georgia, USA. If you wish to comment on this story or contact Jenna-Lynn, please post in the comments section below.
** indicates that the name has been changed.
As an American woman, the first contact I had ever had with an uncircumcised man came when I was 22 years old. I had been blessed with oppertunity to study at Oxford. Though I was an educated and sexually active woman, I had never actually seen an uncircumcised penis. All I knew about them was from my girlfriends back in Georgia, who told me that they "looked funny" and that they were "dirty."
I met Colton one night after my boyfriend had left me stranded in the pouring rain after a fight. With no ride home, I called my friend Ellen** but she was at a dance recital and her younger brother, Colton**, came instead. On the car ride home, Colton and I became friends. Though we got along well after that day , I never looked at Colton beyond a friend. Colton was barely 19 and I had never given any thought to going for a younger man.
Our friends went out together to celebrate Ellen's birthday. Colton, being shy, and I, not knowing most of Ellen's family, spent most of the party together. Long story short, we ended up leaving together. Colton confessed that he'd only been with one girl and he looked very nervous. Colton didn't even know how to kiss open-mouthed and he wasn't extremely endowed (I'd say around 5 inches) so I didn't expect anything extraordinary. I had never had a vaginal orgasm anyway.
I admit that an uncircumcised penis looked weird to me (not ugly though) and I stared enough to make Colton feel self-conscious. Inside, I regretted inviting him back to my flat, forgetting that men in Europe weren't circumcised. But rather be a tease to a guy like Colton, who had been nothing but nice to me since we met, I decided to go through with it. And I'm extremely glad that I did.
The feeling of an uncircumcised penis was different than a circumcised penis. I noticed the difference right from the start. It was a softer penetration and gentler but still firm. Thrusting didn't hurt me like I was used to (that raw, unlubricated vagina feeling that I'm sure many women have felt). A minute or so into it, Colton got a little more steady in his thrusting and it just was an amazing feeling. When he started to thrust faster, it didn't feel rougher or harder. For the first time during sex, I felt my clit being stimulated at the same time with each thrust. I've had sex in the missionary position many times and I had never felt that sort of stimulation with a circumcised man. Colton came a few minutes into it and though I didn't orgasm, it was still more satisfying sex than I had had in the past.
Colton and I had sex a few times after that (though we never remained more than friends). The fourth time we had sex, I had my first vaginal orgasm. I also found that we didn't need to use fake lube to keep me lubricated (and I had always thought my vagina was just excessively dry).
The pleasure I felt with Colton and described here was not a one-time phenomenom. As Colton was not experienced at sex and was definitely not the most experienced of my lovers, I credit his foreskin as the source of my newfound pleasure. Since Colton, I've slept with uncircumcised and circumcised men. Honestly, I can't imagine ever having sex with a circumcised man again.
Submitted by Jenna-Lynn, aged 26 from Georgia, USA. If you wish to comment on this story or contact Jenna-Lynn, please post in the comments section below.
** indicates that the name has been changed.
Harry's Story
Harry's Story
My name is Harry. I'm 46 years old. I'm originally from a rural town in Kentucky. I was born on a mountain in my family's home. As my family isn't Jewish and I wasn't born in a hospital, I was not circumcised at birth. My family was not rich so visits to the doctor was rare. When I went to a doctor to get my shots so that I could go to a local school, the doctor suggested to my mother that I get circumcised. None of the men in my family were circumcised and my mother didn't really know much about it. She asked the doctor why should I be circumcised, saying that" if I'm going to pay $250 (that might as well have been $10,000 to my family) for something, there'd better be a good reason." The first thing the doctor said was "Well, it's cleaner," which my mother, who prided herself on being a homemaker took great offense to. "Are you saying my children aren't clean?" she said. Long story short, I walked out of the hospital an intact man. That was the last I ever thought about circumcision until my 20s.
I married at 18 to my high school sweetheart Jenny. Her brother owned a restaurant in Nashville and when I was 20, we moved there to help him run it. I worked as a chef while Jenny was a waitress. When I was 24, I was the manager of my brother-in-law's second restaurant, I was a home owner, I had two beautiful daughters, and Jenny was pregnant with our first son. Our son, Noel (which means Christmas), was born in a hospital in Nashville on Christmas Eve. We called him our early Christmas present. Everyone was thrilled. We called everyone we knew and my brother-in-law and his wife planned us a great surprise party for when we got home. I left the hospital for a few hours to get some clothes for Jenny (Jenny had gone into labor while we were driving home and we hadn't brought anything with us to the hospital) and pick our daughters for them to see their new brother, a nurse asked her sign some forms. Among those forms was the consent for circumcision of Noel. The nurse told Jenny that it was a common procedure and that it would only take a few minutes and that there were a lot of benefits. As a result, Noel was circumcised that day with a Plastibel device. While neither me or Jenny had given thought to circumcision, I can't say I thought there was anything wrong with it. I didn't really know anything about it. Me, being a country boy at heart, I wasn't up to date on medical things and I trusted doctors to look out for their patient's best interests. Isn't that what they're trained to do?
Overjoyed with Noel, we came home on the 28th to our surprise party to show everyone. For a few days, everything was bliss until Noel began crying nonstop and running a fever. After being pushed around by several doctors who thought we were just being overprotective new parents, we finally got to Dr. Kennedy**. After a long series of questions and tests, found that his bladder had ruptured. This was shocking news to us. My first thoughts were "Is my son going to die?" Then Dr. Kennedy dropped another bomb. He told us the Plastibel was the most likely cause of the ruptured bladder. Jenny spoke up quickly, arguing that the nurse had told her it was safe. Dr. Kennedy sympathized with us. He told us that he had heard from a colleague of his that another child had suffered a ruptured bladder from Plastibel in North Carolina. This made me so angry that words can't describe it. It made me angry that doctors knew that there was a risk and they hadn't remotely mentioned it to either of us before or after the circumcision.
Noel was prepped for surgery but he never made it. His stomach swollen and his heart racing, Noel Alexander McGee went into shock. We buried him on January 7, 1989.
I feel that I failed my child to the point that I cost him his life. If I had bothered to ask or do research or had just said "No," Noel would be alive today. He would have gotten to go to high school, make friends, get married, have a family of his own and followed all of his dreams. But circumcision denied him that. Circumcision denied a mother and father their son, two sisters their younger brother, four grandparents their grandson, four uncles and six aunts their nephew, and an innocent and beautiful child his life. 22 years later, my family and I still feel the loss of Noel.
To all parents considering circumcising their sons, I beg of you to please don't do it. No matter what your doctor tells you about benefits, nothing outweighs the very real risk of death.
"In Loving Memory of Noel McGee"
Submitted by Harry J. McGee, aged 46 from Kentucky. If you wish to comment on this story or contact Harry, please post in the comments section below.
** indicates that the name has been changed.
My name is Harry. I'm 46 years old. I'm originally from a rural town in Kentucky. I was born on a mountain in my family's home. As my family isn't Jewish and I wasn't born in a hospital, I was not circumcised at birth. My family was not rich so visits to the doctor was rare. When I went to a doctor to get my shots so that I could go to a local school, the doctor suggested to my mother that I get circumcised. None of the men in my family were circumcised and my mother didn't really know much about it. She asked the doctor why should I be circumcised, saying that" if I'm going to pay $250 (that might as well have been $10,000 to my family) for something, there'd better be a good reason." The first thing the doctor said was "Well, it's cleaner," which my mother, who prided herself on being a homemaker took great offense to. "Are you saying my children aren't clean?" she said. Long story short, I walked out of the hospital an intact man. That was the last I ever thought about circumcision until my 20s.
I married at 18 to my high school sweetheart Jenny. Her brother owned a restaurant in Nashville and when I was 20, we moved there to help him run it. I worked as a chef while Jenny was a waitress. When I was 24, I was the manager of my brother-in-law's second restaurant, I was a home owner, I had two beautiful daughters, and Jenny was pregnant with our first son. Our son, Noel (which means Christmas), was born in a hospital in Nashville on Christmas Eve. We called him our early Christmas present. Everyone was thrilled. We called everyone we knew and my brother-in-law and his wife planned us a great surprise party for when we got home. I left the hospital for a few hours to get some clothes for Jenny (Jenny had gone into labor while we were driving home and we hadn't brought anything with us to the hospital) and pick our daughters for them to see their new brother, a nurse asked her sign some forms. Among those forms was the consent for circumcision of Noel. The nurse told Jenny that it was a common procedure and that it would only take a few minutes and that there were a lot of benefits. As a result, Noel was circumcised that day with a Plastibel device. While neither me or Jenny had given thought to circumcision, I can't say I thought there was anything wrong with it. I didn't really know anything about it. Me, being a country boy at heart, I wasn't up to date on medical things and I trusted doctors to look out for their patient's best interests. Isn't that what they're trained to do?
Overjoyed with Noel, we came home on the 28th to our surprise party to show everyone. For a few days, everything was bliss until Noel began crying nonstop and running a fever. After being pushed around by several doctors who thought we were just being overprotective new parents, we finally got to Dr. Kennedy**. After a long series of questions and tests, found that his bladder had ruptured. This was shocking news to us. My first thoughts were "Is my son going to die?" Then Dr. Kennedy dropped another bomb. He told us the Plastibel was the most likely cause of the ruptured bladder. Jenny spoke up quickly, arguing that the nurse had told her it was safe. Dr. Kennedy sympathized with us. He told us that he had heard from a colleague of his that another child had suffered a ruptured bladder from Plastibel in North Carolina. This made me so angry that words can't describe it. It made me angry that doctors knew that there was a risk and they hadn't remotely mentioned it to either of us before or after the circumcision.
Noel was prepped for surgery but he never made it. His stomach swollen and his heart racing, Noel Alexander McGee went into shock. We buried him on January 7, 1989.
I feel that I failed my child to the point that I cost him his life. If I had bothered to ask or do research or had just said "No," Noel would be alive today. He would have gotten to go to high school, make friends, get married, have a family of his own and followed all of his dreams. But circumcision denied him that. Circumcision denied a mother and father their son, two sisters their younger brother, four grandparents their grandson, four uncles and six aunts their nephew, and an innocent and beautiful child his life. 22 years later, my family and I still feel the loss of Noel.
To all parents considering circumcising their sons, I beg of you to please don't do it. No matter what your doctor tells you about benefits, nothing outweighs the very real risk of death.
"In Loving Memory of Noel McGee"
Submitted by Harry J. McGee, aged 46 from Kentucky. If you wish to comment on this story or contact Harry, please post in the comments section below.
** indicates that the name has been changed.
Personal Stories
Disclamer: Reader discretion advised.
Harry's Story (submitted January 31, 2011) - Harry tells how circumcision cost his son Noel his life.
Hassan's Story (submitted November 19, 2010) - Hassan tells his fellow Muslims about circumcision and the Qu'ran.
Jenna-Lynn's Story (submitted December 1, 2010) - Jenna-Lynn, an American student abroad in Europe, talks about her first time sexual experience with an uncircumcised man.
Karim's Story (submitted November 4, 2008) - Karim tells about how his circumcision has made him question his faith in Islam.
Karyn's Story (submitted October 5, 2006) - Karyn, an OBGYN, tells about how performing circumcision changed her entire life forever.
Lucille's Story (submitted March 1, 2009) - Lucille talks about her husband's religious circumcision and how foreskin restoration also helped restore their sex life and marriage.
Naomi's Story (submitted February 27, 2011) - Naomi writes a letter to Jews explaining why they should reconsider having a brit shalom for their son rather than a brit milah.
Harry's Story (submitted January 31, 2011) - Harry tells how circumcision cost his son Noel his life.
Hassan's Story (submitted November 19, 2010) - Hassan tells his fellow Muslims about circumcision and the Qu'ran.
Jenna-Lynn's Story (submitted December 1, 2010) - Jenna-Lynn, an American student abroad in Europe, talks about her first time sexual experience with an uncircumcised man.
Karim's Story (submitted November 4, 2008) - Karim tells about how his circumcision has made him question his faith in Islam.
Karyn's Story (submitted October 5, 2006) - Karyn, an OBGYN, tells about how performing circumcision changed her entire life forever.
Lucille's Story (submitted March 1, 2009) - Lucille talks about her husband's religious circumcision and how foreskin restoration also helped restore their sex life and marriage.
Naomi's Story (submitted February 27, 2011) - Naomi writes a letter to Jews explaining why they should reconsider having a brit shalom for their son rather than a brit milah.
Information
A History of Circumcision in America - Learn about the American mindset that influenced the popularity of circumcision of not only men but women as well in America.
Risks of Circumcision - Read about the risks of circumcision.
Ask Yourself - Ask yourself these questions before you circumcise your son.
Circumcision and Religion - What does your religion say about circumcision?
Dear Fellow Jews - A Jewish woman writes a letter to her fellow Jews about circumcision.
Salaam, My Muslims and Muslimahs - 38 year old Saudi Arabian Hassan discusses circumcision and Islam.
Famous Uncircumcised Men - The King of Rock and Roll, the Prince of Pop, the Prince of Motown, 3 Beatles, and ol' Blue Eyes all had more than music in common. They were also all intact.
Risks of Circumcision - Read about the risks of circumcision.
Ask Yourself - Ask yourself these questions before you circumcise your son.
Circumcision and Religion - What does your religion say about circumcision?
Dear Fellow Jews - A Jewish woman writes a letter to her fellow Jews about circumcision.
Salaam, My Muslims and Muslimahs - 38 year old Saudi Arabian Hassan discusses circumcision and Islam.
Famous Uncircumcised Men - The King of Rock and Roll, the Prince of Pop, the Prince of Motown, 3 Beatles, and ol' Blue Eyes all had more than music in common. They were also all intact.
A History of Circumcision in America
How did circumcision come to America?
Prior to the 19th century, circumcision was virtually unknown to non-Jewish and non-Muslim Americans. It simply wasn't practiced. So how did it come to be so widespread? The practice of routine male circumcision in the USA is rooted in masturbation. Yes, masturbation. In the 1800s, masturbation became public enemy number one. Doctors believed masturbation was the cause of numerous problems like mental illness, alcoholism, and kleptomania. Religions which frowned upon sex and masturbation also played a factor. During this era, chastity belts and female circumcision were practiced as well (Yes, in America, our doctors practiced female genital mutilation at one time). Adults and children caught masturbating would be subjected to circumcision (either having their foreskins or clitorises removed), physical restraint or even put in institutions. But America has largely forgotten this part of our history. Did you know that Kellogg Company, the inventor of cereals like Kellogg's Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies that grace our breakfast bowls every morning, was originally started because the brother of its founder, John Harvey Kellogg, believed that his cold cereal like Corn Flakes would help curb the desire to masturbate? John Harvey Kellogg also advocated the circumcision of male children (not as infants but older) to punish them for masturbation and teach them that masturbation was equal to pain. Kellogg also advocated applying phenol to women's clitorises, sewing foreskins shut, caging the genitals, and tying up people who masturbated. And the bad thing was that Kellogg was not a stand-alone overzealous nut. He was a respected medical professional and doctor. He published books, opened hospitals, and ran a sanitarium. Reverend Sylvester Graham, inventor of the Graham Cracker, believed his cracker would curb sexual urges and masturbation. I know it sounds crazy but it's 100% true. Both Graham and Kellogg, like most of the medical community, called masturbation "self-injury" or "self-abuse." Many people feared that men would discover the "pleasure of masturbation" while cleaning their foreskins so the simple solution was to take the foreskins away. Up until the 1960s, doctors and people regularly came up with new excuses to justify circumcision and continue the practice. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics stated they did not recommend circumcision for non-theraputic reasons in the 1970s and circumcision rates began to plummet. Down from a virtually 100% circumcision rate prior to the 1970s, only 33% of male children were circumcised in 2009.
Prior to the 19th century, circumcision was virtually unknown to non-Jewish and non-Muslim Americans. It simply wasn't practiced. So how did it come to be so widespread? The practice of routine male circumcision in the USA is rooted in masturbation. Yes, masturbation. In the 1800s, masturbation became public enemy number one. Doctors believed masturbation was the cause of numerous problems like mental illness, alcoholism, and kleptomania. Religions which frowned upon sex and masturbation also played a factor. During this era, chastity belts and female circumcision were practiced as well (Yes, in America, our doctors practiced female genital mutilation at one time). Adults and children caught masturbating would be subjected to circumcision (either having their foreskins or clitorises removed), physical restraint or even put in institutions. But America has largely forgotten this part of our history. Did you know that Kellogg Company, the inventor of cereals like Kellogg's Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies that grace our breakfast bowls every morning, was originally started because the brother of its founder, John Harvey Kellogg, believed that his cold cereal like Corn Flakes would help curb the desire to masturbate? John Harvey Kellogg also advocated the circumcision of male children (not as infants but older) to punish them for masturbation and teach them that masturbation was equal to pain. Kellogg also advocated applying phenol to women's clitorises, sewing foreskins shut, caging the genitals, and tying up people who masturbated. And the bad thing was that Kellogg was not a stand-alone overzealous nut. He was a respected medical professional and doctor. He published books, opened hospitals, and ran a sanitarium. Reverend Sylvester Graham, inventor of the Graham Cracker, believed his cracker would curb sexual urges and masturbation. I know it sounds crazy but it's 100% true. Both Graham and Kellogg, like most of the medical community, called masturbation "self-injury" or "self-abuse." Many people feared that men would discover the "pleasure of masturbation" while cleaning their foreskins so the simple solution was to take the foreskins away. Up until the 1960s, doctors and people regularly came up with new excuses to justify circumcision and continue the practice. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics stated they did not recommend circumcision for non-theraputic reasons in the 1970s and circumcision rates began to plummet. Down from a virtually 100% circumcision rate prior to the 1970s, only 33% of male children were circumcised in 2009.
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