Korean Job Discussion Forums

stumptown · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:22 am Post subject: Circumcision at 12?

No, not 12 o'clock. One of my students is taking some time off during the vacation to rest after getting circumcised at AGE 12. I haven't heard of this in my 2 1/2 years here. I also thought there could be damage after infancy. I'm wondering if this is part of the culture I haven't uncovered yet. Sounds pretty traumatizing to me. Thoughts? Comments? Opinions?

Mr. Literal · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Location: Third rock from the Sun.

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

Yes I think that's common here. I learned from a 14 year old girl. She said to me that her brother was in hospital. So I asked if he was very sick, and she said no no, there's nothing wrong with him. Which confused me. So I asked for clarification, and she explained he was having an operation to "become a man". I worked it out. I don't think she wanted to explain precisely obviously.

What a strange barbaric practice.

-HE

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

It should ideally be done when the little chap is a toddler.

However the ones who slip through the net can experience difficulties as teenagers.. I remember guys at school getting it done at age 16 and 17..they were bandaged and couldn't walk properly for a week or so. -Much to the amusement of everyone else.

ashaman · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

When I was in the Army there about 11 years ago, I knew of young Korean adults getting circumcised (both KATUSAs and civilians that I knew). And my landlord had his boys circumcised when they were around 8 and 10. Funny, because I think that it is rapidly losing favor in the West. It's now thought to be unecessary and somewhat injurious.

Dawn · Joined: 06 Mar 2004

I had a fourth-grade student come to school the day he had the surgery performed a couple of years back. The kid was an incredible whiner to begin with, so I pretty much ignored all of his groans and moans until he doubled over clutching his crotch. When I finally did ask what was wrong, he said, "Uh, this (pointing) sick. Very sick. Doctor cut cut. BIG ouch."

At that juncture, words apparently failed him. He started unzipping his pants as though to show me, while I hastened to assure him no evidence was needed and sent him home.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

OOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHhhh
!!!!!!!!!!!

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

I heard in samoa and other islands its similar practice..
when they are 13 a local takes them to the beach puts there unit on a chopping block pulls the skin forward cuts the end off with a knife and sends the kids into the sea!~~ DAAAAAMMMMNNNNN~~~~~~!!!!!
abit of salt to just finish you off!!

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

At least the 12 year olds are big enough to look the doctor in the eye and mark him for revenge, if not to actually fight back. I wish I could hunt down the bastard that took a knife to me when I was a helpless babe.

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

Some times there are medical reasons for circumsicion. In Europe, well poland specifically it was seen as only jewish thing and unless you were one you didn't get it done.

batman · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:05 am Post subject:

It is still popular here. Done later in life than back home (12 is common). Had a few arguments about it with some of my ajumas. I told them if my son wants it done he can take care of it on his own when he is older. The common reply was that if I loved my son I would make sure it was taken care of. I generally ended the argument with the comment that my son's body is a gift to him from his parents and as such it is not to be subjected to self-mutilation or disfigurement.

Picture Perfect · Joined: 29 Jun 2005

Zenpickle · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Location: Anyang -- Bisan

The Man known as The Man · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:04 am Post subject:

Wehn I was 12, one of the neighbourhood kids had the misfortuen of having his dad convert to Orthodox Judaism.

II like a lot about the faith, but he was wearing baggy pants when they were not in fashion.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I used to have a friend who was doing his military service as a doctor. He told me his most common procedure was circumcision. That means the boys were around 20 or so.

So I asked a lot of my friends if/when they had it done. Most said around puberty to mid-teens or later.

I asked about the pain. They said, "Yep. Painful." Not to mention that they would wake up in the normal stimulated state every morning...with tears in their eyes. Shocked

On a somewhat related topic, have you all heard how little boys (up to 8 or so) are asked by grannies and daddies and I-don't-know-who-all to show them their ko-chu? In public. Then they pull on it or otherwise play with it. It's supposed to convey the message that they are happy he is a boy. I expect the end result would make them less self-conscious.