Tom, 61 - London
Where were you born?
London
When did you first become aware of circumcision?
Age 11, when going to my senior school and seeing cut boys. I first realised a boy was circumcised when we shared a cubical for swimming at (state) school. My partner's knob was always bare and I had tried to keep mine bare too, but the skin kept slipping forward. Later I discovered the story of the Covenant in the Bible, realised they could be cut off and his had been! I checked the Jewish boys and yes, theirs had been too.
It was never discussed as things were not so open in those days and, I think, circumcision was already becoming a taboo. The percentage as far as I can remember was eight cut in about 40 boys in my year or roughly 20%. That comprised six religious cuts with only two non-religious: my cubical pal and another boy who has an enormous glans which could have been the reason he was done.
In my later teens I swam a lot and saw quite a few older guys were cut and some of my own age. There was no modesty in those days, just open showers and changing area. It first made me wonder what it was like and after seeing some writings about it, I developed a desire to be cut myself - something I must say had sexual overtones.
Are any members of your immediate family circumcised?
No, but all male in-laws are. My in-laws were British from East and South Africa where the old traditions of the Middle/Upper Classes continued, and, I suppose in a hot, humid climate it also made sense. So hygienic and (British) traditional.
At what age were you circumcised?
28
London
When did you first become aware of circumcision?
Age 11, when going to my senior school and seeing cut boys. I first realised a boy was circumcised when we shared a cubical for swimming at (state) school. My partner's knob was always bare and I had tried to keep mine bare too, but the skin kept slipping forward. Later I discovered the story of the Covenant in the Bible, realised they could be cut off and his had been! I checked the Jewish boys and yes, theirs had been too.
It was never discussed as things were not so open in those days and, I think, circumcision was already becoming a taboo. The percentage as far as I can remember was eight cut in about 40 boys in my year or roughly 20%. That comprised six religious cuts with only two non-religious: my cubical pal and another boy who has an enormous glans which could have been the reason he was done.
In my later teens I swam a lot and saw quite a few older guys were cut and some of my own age. There was no modesty in those days, just open showers and changing area. It first made me wonder what it was like and after seeing some writings about it, I developed a desire to be cut myself - something I must say had sexual overtones.
Are any members of your immediate family circumcised?
No, but all male in-laws are. My in-laws were British from East and South Africa where the old traditions of the Middle/Upper Classes continued, and, I suppose in a hot, humid climate it also made sense. So hygienic and (British) traditional.
At what age were you circumcised?
28
"I like being able to see the full, sculptured shape of my penis with nothing hidden when nude"
What is the main reason you were circumcised?
I was circumcised at my fiancée’s request because, as other girls had mentioned to me, it was better for stimulating the vagina, cleaner for oral and looked more 'natural'. I'd always had a dislike of my frenulum since childhood and developed a desire to be cut in my late teens, so she was pushing on an unlocked door!
Are you happy about being circumcised?
Yes very. If I was offered a pill to make my foreskin re-grow I'd refuse it. Although the anxiety of making the decision, worrying about the finality of it was dreadful. There is no going back, it is a permanent change, perhaps that's why it features in many initiations. Which is why I think routine infant circumcision is helpful.
What is the best and worst thing about being circumcised?
Worst is not being cut very tightly on the upper side, the underside is very tight with the frenal area always exposed even when completely flaccid.
The best is that I feel one of the select club, the tightness of the shaft skin on erection deepens sensation, the scar is highly sensitive and the area where my frenulum was has a sort of trigger spot that was not there with a frenulum. I also like being able to see the full, sculptured shape of my penis with nothing hidden when nude. I'm also happy to show it in changing rooms, medical exams and nude beaches. I'm proud to be cut.
If you had a son, would you circumcise him?
Unquestionably, my wife and I agreed that when she became pregnant, but it was a daughter, so not done. I think RIC should be offered to all mothers of boys in maternity wards.
I was circumcised at my fiancée’s request because, as other girls had mentioned to me, it was better for stimulating the vagina, cleaner for oral and looked more 'natural'. I'd always had a dislike of my frenulum since childhood and developed a desire to be cut in my late teens, so she was pushing on an unlocked door!
Are you happy about being circumcised?
Yes very. If I was offered a pill to make my foreskin re-grow I'd refuse it. Although the anxiety of making the decision, worrying about the finality of it was dreadful. There is no going back, it is a permanent change, perhaps that's why it features in many initiations. Which is why I think routine infant circumcision is helpful.
What is the best and worst thing about being circumcised?
Worst is not being cut very tightly on the upper side, the underside is very tight with the frenal area always exposed even when completely flaccid.
The best is that I feel one of the select club, the tightness of the shaft skin on erection deepens sensation, the scar is highly sensitive and the area where my frenulum was has a sort of trigger spot that was not there with a frenulum. I also like being able to see the full, sculptured shape of my penis with nothing hidden when nude. I'm also happy to show it in changing rooms, medical exams and nude beaches. I'm proud to be cut.
If you had a son, would you circumcise him?
Unquestionably, my wife and I agreed that when she became pregnant, but it was a daughter, so not done. I think RIC should be offered to all mothers of boys in maternity wards.