It is? - Edit 1
Before modification by Joel at 06/10/2010 06:51:45 AM
First I've heard of it. I know it's tossed about (so to speak) in some circles but except among the "anything traditional scars an infant for life111" groups I don't hear a lot of debate. To me it's not even as hot a topic as blood transfusions; refusal to circumcise is far less likely to cause death, and an issue for about the same (negligible) portion of our populace. The consensus seems to be that it does at least slightly reduce the risk of infection and other disease, so it continues to serve a purpose (probably the purpose for which it was first devised. ) Meanwhile, America is far from the only country where circumcision is standard, and, while I haven't done the research because I really don't care that much, I suspect Europe is more the exception there than we are.
In the US, circumcision is almost the default. It's not in Europe. There are some religions that ask for it, but that's not the basis for circumcision in the US. One of the arguments I've heard used was that it's more appealing visually.
I can't speak to that; they're all equally unappealing to me visually.
Circumcision is pretty much the default here, though not only here; this is the first I've heard of anything like a major controversy about it. I know it's tossed about (so to speak) in some circles but except among the "anything traditional scars an infant for life111" groups I don't hear a lot of debate. To me it's not even as hot a topic as blood transfusions; refusal to circumcise is far less likely to cause death, and an issue for about the same (negligible) portion of our populace. The consensus seems to be that it does at least slightly reduce the risk of infection and other disease, so it continues to serve a purpose (probably the purpose for which it was first devised. ) Meanwhile, America is far from the only country where circumcision is standard, and, while I haven't done the research, because I really don't care that much, I suspect Europe is more the exception there than we are.
It's the "for me" and "in Europe" parts that I was thinking of when I made the comment. Maybe you don't consider Alpine hiking to be hiking, but it is; much of the standard equipment for hiking was developed there before the US even existed. I'm taking no position on the number of bathrooms in European nature parks (in fact, until about an hour ago I'm pretty sure I'd never even considered the question) I'm just saying that I think nature parks in general are better off with them than without because I think they reduce the human impact on natural areas.
It's not like we invented circumcision, for example, or are the only country where it's the norm. And when I think of hiking I'm about as likely to think of lederhosen and the Alps as the Cumberland Trail; most of the regular hikers I know are Scandinavian, in fact. And nature parks NEED bathrooms; just 'cos you went to McDonalds yesterday doesn't mean you need to leave it on the ground at Yosemite today.
In the US, circumcision is almost the default. It's not in Europe. There are some religions that ask for it, but that's not the basis for circumcision in the US. One of the arguments I've heard used was that it's more appealing visually.
I can't speak to that; they're all equally unappealing to me visually.
Circumcision is pretty much the default here, though not only here; this is the first I've heard of anything like a major controversy about it. I know it's tossed about (so to speak) in some circles but except among the "anything traditional scars an infant for life111" groups I don't hear a lot of debate. To me it's not even as hot a topic as blood transfusions; refusal to circumcise is far less likely to cause death, and an issue for about the same (negligible) portion of our populace. The consensus seems to be that it does at least slightly reduce the risk of infection and other disease, so it continues to serve a purpose (probably the purpose for which it was first devised. ) Meanwhile, America is far from the only country where circumcision is standard, and, while I haven't done the research, because I really don't care that much, I suspect Europe is more the exception there than we are.As for hiking, I'm sure there are other nations where people hike, but the concept of hiking, at least for me, is linked to the US. I think it's different from trekking in the Alps. As for bathrooms, I think you overestimate the amount of bathrooms in nature parks in Europe.
It's the "for me" and "in Europe" parts that I was thinking of when I made the comment. Maybe you don't consider Alpine hiking to be hiking, but it is; much of the standard equipment for hiking was developed there before the US even existed. I'm taking no position on the number of bathrooms in European nature parks (in fact, until about an hour ago I'm pretty sure I'd never even considered the question) I'm just saying that I think nature parks in general are better off with them than without because I think they reduce the human impact on natural areas.