Do children have rights? Circumcision

Announcement:   there's new homework at the homework tab.

CIRCUMCISION

During Friday's debate, it seemed as if everyone thought most boys are circumcised.  Some data might be useful here.  Here's data for the US:

Here's data for the world:

Review of the arguments against circumcision:

1. Harm argument.  Circumcision violates children's "A-C" rights (in Feinberg's terminology).  Costs exceed benefits*.   Reply:  different assessment of cost-benefit ratio (Benatar & Benatar), making circumcision either permissible (B&B) or required. 
2. Open future argument.  Circumcision violates children's "C" rights (in Feinberg's terminology).  Darby makes this argument.  Reply: ???
3. Religious limits argument.  Aimed at parents who circumcise for religious reasons and/or in a religious fashion**.  All medical treatments with serious risks should be done for medical reasons and by medical experts.  Reply:  Religious liberty encompasses liberty to make medical decisions for child.

*  Costs=small risk of penis being injured or severed, pain, lost sensitivity.  Benefits=reduction in risk for UTIs, STDs, HIV, penile cancer (but other ways to reduce risk and/or easy cures); conformity.
  
**Jewish circumcision

1. Genesis 17
2. Ritual is called a "bris" and is performed by a "mohel" in a synagogue or home.
3. Unregulated by state medical authorities.
4. Example of Jewish circumcision--here.
5. Example of Jewish circumcision gone wrong--here.