<p>lealdragon, guess I should have mentioned that when son did his ear, he didn’t do the reputable piercing establishment route–did the friend with ice and a sewing needle thing, which imo really showed lack of good judgement and little fore thought.</p>
<p>Regarding circumcision: it now appears that circumcision is 50-60% effective in reducing the incidence of AIDS, at least in East Africa. I don’t think something with a positive health benefit of that magnitude can or should be compared to something that has a neutral (or at least minimally negative) health effect.</p>
<p><a href=“http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/background_briefings/aids/434880.stm[/url]”>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/background_briefings/aids/434880.stm</a></p>
<p>so is it bettter to cut someone, or give them condoms and other information…let me think…hmmmm…there are other medical things to be done, and doing circumsion is NOT addressing the real problem which is lack of information and educaiton, and women’s rights…</p>
<p>In a culture that uses circumsion often to subjegate women, maybe it might be a good idea to look at other options…</p>
<p>Do you live in East Africa? Africa: generally, a place in which contraception is not available. The article did not mention a 50-60% reduction rate, but instead declared “Although the reason for the extra protection has not been proved”. I may be inclined to state upon incidences, that males with mustaches are more prone to commit genocide than those without, which wouldn’t “exactly” be accurate. Until, they are able to medically determine a reason for added protection then they cannot officially declare that such a practice is beneficial. Either way, you are digressing from the point at hand: oppression.</p>
<p>Also, circumcision is practiced universally in America and yet the U.S. has one of the highest per-capita HIV infection rates among industrialized countries.</p>
<p>“Circumcision is practised in virtually every tribe in Ghana here but that hasn’t insulated circumcised men against HIV/AIDS. I hope this is not one of the western propaganda to keep the disease spreading in Africa like bush fire. This information could rather incense circumcised men into having unprotected sex knowing they are less likely to get the disease, according to the research.”
Patrick Ayumu, Accra, Ghana</p>
<p>“Yes, Royal Highness. We should all bow down and subject ourselves to the whim of your taste.”</p>
<p>My goodness! Why in the world would you write that? Everyone has their own tastes. I do NOT judge people on the color of their skin, their hairstyle, their piercings or even their tattoo’s. I just like to see people’s eyes when I’m talking to them and it bugs me when instead of eyes I see hair. So much for a kinder board…</p>
<p>“as long as it doesn’t cover up their eyes and looks attractive”</p>
<p>I presumed you were asserting it is only acceptable for a person to have long hair, as long as that person keeps it away from their eyes and ensures that it is groomed and attractive. If, however, that is just a personal preference then I am entirely sorry, but considering previous posts on this board I wouldn’t be totally out of line.</p>
<p>Also, I somewhat understand. When I grew my hair long my mum hated it because she could not see my eyes.</p>
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<p>OMG!!! Then I don’t blame you AT ALL! Minor detail that makes all the difference!</p>
<p>I agree that circumcision of baby girls is definitely meant to be oppressive, as are all those other bizarre fashions imposed on women such as tight corsets, feet binding, etc. It’s even worse because it is done to babies; back then women chose whether to wear tight corsets just as they now choose to wear high heals. Circumcision is more akin to foot binding.</p>
<p>Though not intended to be oppressive to baby boys, circumcision is still wrong, imo, for both baby boys and baby girls. It is a mutilation of the body and the baby is not able to make the choice. Especially since it’s not necessary nowadays with proper hygiene.</p>
<p>I don’t feel nearly as strongly about piercing the ears of baby girls since that is not nearly as invasive. I still think the kid ought to be able to choose herself, but it’s not THAT big a deal since they can always just close up. The boys can’t grow their foreskins back.</p>
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<p>Thanks for the clarification. I too wondered whether you were stating a personal preference or whether you thought ALL people should abide by your preferences. I think this is a lesson for ALL of us to always keep in mind that we just MIGHT be misunderstanding the person on a discussion forum and not jump to conclusions about what we THINK they meant. It’s hard enough to communicate in person and typed words leave even more room for misunderstandings.</p>
<p>Actually, I feel the same way when people are wearing sunglasses…bugs the hell out of me.</p>
<p>Kathiep- I don’t think you have to defend yourself. We ALL judge people by ALL these things, whether we are willing to admit it or not. There is always room to change one’s mind about someone, and I have done so many times. There is no denying that first impression, though. If someone is sloppy or has wild, unkempt hair, you certainly may form an opinion based on that. You may also form opinions based on tattoos, weight, smoking- all sorts of things. The key thing is being willing to change one’s first impression as the person reveals more about themselves.</p>
<p>That’s why it’s good to look at what someone writes, think about it for a minute and then give them the benefit of the doubt. I have a dry sense of humor and am known as a smart a** by my friends. But, I’ve found that sarcasm and fast typing are not the best thing for a bulletin board filled with people that don’t really know you. </p>
<p>Yes, we do all judge people by what we see and what our past experiences have been. I’ve have been known to faint when I’ve had blood drawn, gotten shots or thought about a needle to come so it’s understandable (to me anyway!) that when I see facial peircings I become uncomfortable - I’m thinking of what it took to get the piercing there. Instead of even thinking of the person underneath the piercing, I’m telling myself not to look at the spot and to act normal so I don’t make the person uncomfortable and myself look even more stupid. So yes, I really am not judging people with facial piercings, I’m just trying to act normal as opposed to stupid. I imagine I need some sort of immersion with pierced people to get over it.</p>
<p>And on another note… I’ve noticed I’m much more tolerant of people the older I get and the more life experiences I’ve had. The more I travel and see how different people are, the more I find that we’re the same. Working at a library I am reminded daily of our differences and our sameness. How else can you explain a Harry Potter book that is checked out by fourth graders, teenagers, college kids and oldish people like me?</p>
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<p>AMEN to that! I think we all need to focus more on what we have in common - the traits that make us human - and quit quibbling about silly things like hair style or fashion preferences. Those things really are just on the surface and really do not matter.</p>
<p>I admire your willingness to change your first impressions and to realize the basis for those first impressions.</p>
<p>It’s true that we tend to make first impressions based on our own personal experiences. I tend to be wary of people with hair perfectly in place…<grin></grin></p>
<p>A healthy consensus has been reached!</p>