I've never understood why the media made such a big deal about the cruelty of female circumcision but they wouldn't dare touch the subject of male circumcision. It should not be done to children. Period. If an adult male wants to be circumcised, that is fine. And, in some cases, it is necessary if the foreskin is too tight and in those instances, it is permissible for anyone of any age to have it done. For pure religious reasons, though, it just shouldn't happen. There is no reason for removing a perfectly healthy part of the body if there is nothing wrong with it.

What many people fail to realize is that most doctors do NOT numb the baby's penis prior to circumcision. It is mostly a matter of time as it is an additional step that takes a few minutes to kick in, so most doctors just do it without numbing since they think that it will be quick and the child won't remember it anyway. At least the Jewish religious leader gives the baby a little alcohol first (though I'm not sure that really helps). Modern medicine doesn't even bother to pretend to do anything to mitigate the pain.