If ever you’re making a TV show about village and traditional culture in Turkey, be sure to arrange to film a circumcision. For a few hundred dollars you can hire the band, the doctor, and the horse, and pay for all the pizzas and soft drinks. We even paid for the boy’s prince outfit. From a TV production point of view, it was a marvelous value. And the most beautiful moment for me was the heartfelt thanks the dad gave me as we left. I promised we’d send him a copy of the show as soon as it was finished.
[Clarification: Since I first posted this, several commenters have expressed concern not only that we filmed this event, but that we paid for it. While this probably goes without saying, I want to clarify the circumstances: This rite of passage is an important part of life in this part of the world. In the sense that it comes with a big, expensive party for the entire community, it’s not unlike a bar or bat mitzvah, or a quinceañera. This family would have thrown their party, at substantial expense, whether or not our cameras had been there. But they were generous enough to let us come and share their personal celebration with viewers half a world away, so we wanted to thank them by helping to defray their costs. Of course, we did not film the circumcision itself, but were able to capture the spirit of a cultural celebration that we believe our armchair-traveling audience might find interesting and insightful of a culture that they may never be able to visit in person. ]
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Rick: at what age does a Turkish male typically get circumcised?
Thank god mine was done at eight days old, so I have no memory. I can’t imagine going thru this as a kid ( liked your horse comment!)
Tks for the info
I hardly think that paying for a questionable medical procedure is a gift.
I have to believe that Rick’s website has been hacked (no pun intended). Someone as progressive as Rick cannot believe in–much less PAY FOR–genital mutilation of ANYONE!
Don’t blame Rick.
This event would have occurred regardless of whether or not he paid for it.
That he filmed it does not mean that he condoned, “believed in,” the procedure.
There are two troubling aspects to this. First, Rick Steves is essentially a travel reporter who reports on places and people. Paying for access to a normally private event crosses widely accepted ethical norms for journalists. (It doesn’t matter that the show is also widely viewed as merely educational entertainment.) What other events has he featured in his shows that were influenced by money?
The second troubling aspect is that infant and child circumcision is, at its root, a coercive and violent act on a child. It cannot be viewed as just another cultural display in another country along the tourist trail. Moreover, the fawning acceptance is at odds with how the world (especially Europe) views this act and how it would likely be viewed by Rick Steves himself if the child were a girl.
I’ve always been a fan of Rick. But it’ll be much harder to watch him now. It’s just unfortunate he’s slipped up so badly.
Genital mutilation of children is disgusting. If this is a joke its a sick one. If this is true and Rick Steves did finance this sick ritual then shame on him and his staff.
Dear Rick,
The physicans’ charity in (your) Seattle which I direct, is deeply disappointed that you participated in what is essentially human rights’ abuse. NO ONE has the right to diminish the genitals of a child for merely cultural reasons. The fact that the child is smiling (initially) at the fuss over him, like a sacrificial lamb wearing a garland, and the fact that it might have occurred anyway is no answer.
Will you be paying for a Somali ceremony soon, where a ‘midwife’ removes the clitoris and labia of a young girl with a pot shard? She too might be wearing a fancy gown and a paper hat, and every one will be singing —all very colorful and dramatic.
Respectful travel is one thing, Rick; participating in atavistic, primitive, and unethical activities upon children is entirely another. Advising your audience that they can purchase human rights’ abuse for their amusement is simply and utterly appalling.
John V. Geisheker, J.D., LL.M.
Executive Director,
General Counsel,
DoctorsOpposingCircumcision.org
Seattle, Washington, USA
Rick, your viewers now deserve the same INSIDER VIEW of a Female Circumcision… ASAP, looking forward to it…
It’s one thing for a traveler to stand by and witness cultural practices they might find troubling (and I’m not sure I would do that), but funding them is utterly disgusting. I can’t believe Rick would recommend such a thing. Yes, culturally, Turkish families feel very proud their sons have reached this stage, and appreciate having the party paid for. But does that make it right? Shall we fund the stoning of women because it’s fascinating? The illegal poaching of elephants? Children should have full agency over their bodies, and not have them surgically altered for the amusement or antiquated ritual desires of adults. And travelers should never use their resources to encourage such practices, whether they would happen otherwise or not.
Rick Steves presents a traditional, conservative, one-sided view of male circumcision. Here’s the other side, as expressed by the International NGO Council on Violence against Children, a body formed in 2007 to support strong and effective follow-up to the UN Study on Violence against Children.
“…a children’s rights analysis suggests that non-consensual, non-therapeutic circumcision of boys, whatever the circumstances, constitutes a gross violation of their rights, including the right to physical integrity, to freedom of thought and religion and to protection from physical and mental violence.”
Circumcision of a child for anything other than reasons of medical necessity is child abuse, pure and simple. If the child wants it done when he’s old enough to give informed consent, that’s an entirely different matter.
I cannot believe that a country which fined CBS (wasn’t it?) a quarter of a million dollars for a quick flash of Janet Jackson’s breast at the superbowl is going to allow the various PBS stations to show this film without penalties, *even if* the cameras were turned off before the actual process.
It’s promoting child abuse, and, in my opinion., the film should be viewed in the same light as if the boy was going to be ritually sexually abused.
Be sure and have two cameras for the operation itself, one to capture all the bloody details, the other for the boy’s terrified face. And the highest quality Dolby sound, for his shrieking and sobbing.
Steves’ comments were worthwhile because they flushed beliefs and opinions of others. It’s what he does and he should not change.
As a nurse, I am having trouble comprehending why someone would pay to be part of such barbaric ceremony. The first time I witnessed a circumcision, as a student nurse, I vowed never to let anyone do that to my son. The infant shrieked in pain!
I know this is part of Turkish culture, so it might happen anyway. Your part in paying for this sends a message that all Americans believe this is acceptable. I resent that you represented me in this way.
Michaelle RN
Of course even in Turkey it would be illegal to circumcise the horse.
Wow! I never knew there were so many self-important people here! Are we to change a culture that was here long before us? Are we that all-knowing?
Atavistic? Really? A ritual that has been around for thousands of years is hardly that. Might as well go to Belgium and complain that they don’t carry enough Ranch dressing!
These are people who hold on to their rites and religion tightly to guide them. When we stop believing that Duck Dynasty is the best show on TV, and trucks have to have a 6 inch lift… then we cast cast stones at those we cannot possibly understand or comprehend.
“A Gift of Circumcision Creates a Lasting Impression”. Yes, it leaves a scar on the penis to remind him every day that the most sensitive part of his penis was removed in the name of a god that the child is far too young to really understand anything about. Let adults practice their religion/culture on their own genitals.
How absolutely disgusting that you would participate in such a violation of the boy’s Human Rights! Are you going to suggest tourists pay for a female circumcision in Egypt to boost their tourist industry. What is wrong with you, Rick Steves?
Seriously, I’d like a response from you.
I think you cross the line in your attempt to engage with the culture here, Rick. There is a growing movement of Muslims in general and Turkish people specifically who are challenging the tradition of circumcision as inhumane. A sensitive traveler would know that and an informed person would realise that this is not something to support. People should at least remain neutral on the subject or even promote the rights of children to decide for themselves how their own bodies should look according to their own beliefs. But to support, pay for, promote, and publicise this is unethical.
“Are we to change a culture that was here long before us? Are we that all-knowing?”
All cultures were here long before us, and some violated human rights for millennia – until they were changed. Some still do, and should be changed. Female genital cutting is an obvious example, and male genital cutting is only different in detail. That is a far better analogy than “Duck Dynasty” or a six-inch lift, whatever they are.
Suggesting that tourists might pay to participate in and film rituals where young boys have their genitals cut comes perilously close to a kind of sexual tourism / voyeurism (if not completely crossing the line).
Shame on you Rick Steves. At first I thought this must be a hoax. This is horrendous. Paying to watch children be mutilated. Wrong!!! I USED to watch your show Rick!!!
As a long standing fan of your work, I am disgusted and disappointed in your choice to not only film this, but to pay for it too. I am sorry to say you have lost a lot of fans through your misstep in showing and glorifying sexual abuse of a minor. Calling this a wonderful rite of passage is so far fetched and untrue. You have the blood of a child on your hands and conscience. What a shame.
Rick, I am completely and utterly disturbed you would do a show about a human rights atrocity committed on a child, and at a loss for words that you would pay for it and try to present it in a good light.
Until you offer the same sort of coverage on a traditional female circumcision I will not be watching your show or ever purchase any of your books again.
I don’t want defenseless children to have their genitals cut up while you celebrate it and promote it. Honestly it’s disgusting and appalling and if you had a heart you would agree.
The parts that are cut off are some of the most highly innervated parts of the human. A whole range of sensation and sexual and protective function are lost. The lips, fingertips and nipples have similar touch sense. To take this away from another person without their consent is heinous. To do this to a young boy or a baby is creepy, child abuse and a human rights VIOLATION.
It’s about time someone stood up to these wackos who still believe that the genital mutilation of baby boys is an acceptable practice in the 21st century.
I thank our lucky stars that we ARE the ones to change cultures. We must use this power only for good. At the time. How we feel. When we feel differently, we can change the cultures back. Don’t forget to put the Starbucks on every corner…
“…but we never saw the boy again”
More ominous words have never been written on this blog … perhaps Rick truly does have blood on his hands! Or maybe he was duped into throwing a party … and there was no circumcision! The mystery deepens …
As a circumcised male, I can’t help but think some of these comments here border on hysteria. If male circumcision is genital mutilation and human rights abuse, then there are sure a lot of mutilated genitals and human rights abusers walking around in this country right this second. Maybe I should sue my parents and the doctor? Now, I certainly wouldn’t want to be circumcised as a young adult, but if the only difference between that and being circumcised as an infant is that in the former case you *remember* the pain, I’m not sure that we can call the one a routine (if medically questionable) surgical procedure and the other a human rights abuse.
That said, I too am a little worried about an outsider to the culture paying for such a procedure, especially when the goal is because it makes for good television. Granted, the party and all would’ve probably happened anyway … but if it was going to happen anyway, where’s the need to pay for it? Seems like a bit of a slippery slope. It’s one thing to buy a kid a gelato to make for a happy “extra” in a shot … it’s another to slice off his foreskin. I too would like to hear from Rick on this issue … I don’t think he needs to “answer for his crimes” or any such nonsense, but I’d be curious to hear his thoughts on where one should draw the line in “creating” a moment for TV, even if it would’ve ostensibly happened anyway?
Hi Rick thanks for this, I’m wondering if you will also travel to South East Asia and film a female circumcision? or even better why not join up with Fuambai Sia Ahmadu and film a female circumcision in Sierra Leone, its a big deal and and a big part of their culture!
Wow- this post touched a nerve (no pun intended)! Are the lot of you also vehemently opposed to piercings for earrings? At a mall near you, kids are getting “mutilated” daily. Act locally!
Rick, as someone who has long protested the rights of people to smoke marijuana and enjoy life as they please, I cannot believe that you have paid to take away the rights of this boy. I think circumcision is appalling and while I might not be able to stop it in Turkey, that doesn’t mean I should accept it, either.
You have raved about how cheap you were able to purchase such a fantastic moment, a “marvelous value.” But I’m afraid it has cost you much more than that. If not thousands of lifetime fans, such as myself, but even more serious is the life-altering surgery of this little boy and the guilt that you will always have on your conscious. All because you wanted to create something to film.
There’s really something deceitful in all of this. If you’re acting like a bystander in such an event, as if you had nothing to do with it, why would you pay for it? Are you that desperate?
When you first posted this on Facebook, I thought your account had been hacked. Imagine my disappointment when you posted a second time, along with this blog and a YouTube video. Your flippant comments to your Facebook fans were even worse. Seriously, get a grip. You owe so much to your fans, and to be this off-base with them is unbelievable. Do you really not know the attitudes of circumcision in the U.S.? Do you have your head on straight?
Suggesting to everyone that they should pay for a circumcision to film it is beyond vile. I have been such a fan for years and loved watching your shows. I’m sorry to say I won’t anymore.
What Rick shows us here is how a circumcised man reacts to a circumcision. This is why Bill Gates is currently funding the greatest medical scandal in the history of American medicine: the circumcising of hundreds of thousands of African males to allegedly stop AIDS, when we already know that AIDS is highest in America where circumcision is routine.
The boy wasn’t seen again, because that’s the un-pretty part of the event. He’s bleeding and in excruciating agony. If he’s lucky, his penis will heal quickly, and he’ll be left with an organ that is permanently unable to experience the full sensation and function that with which nature endowed it. He’s also likely to be left with permanently impaired trust in his parents, in the adults who tricked him into thinking that he was going to enjoy this special event — and maybe in the (surely, himself circumcised) American who exploited his loss for entertainment purposes. BOYCOTT RICK STEVES.
When males are born, the skin on the penis extends over the glans, protecting it on day one from the wear and tear it will undergo in that lifetime. The foreskin can account for one-third to nearly one-half of total penile skin.
That alone makes the foreskin much different than an earlobe. Please be informed before making statements like ear piercing is the same as CUTTING off 1/3 of a child’s penis, the part containing thousands of nerves and which provides several functions for the person.
How much insight with clarity can be had when the actual main act is not provided? You should not have paid any money for you have altered the set artificially and to what extant. The added omission above is hidden behind this sentence “Of course, we did not film the circumcision itself…” What do you mean of course? Who doesn’t like a beheading, excuse me, to view a circumcision?
Thank you for this! Excellent insight and advice. My only question is as the owner of a breed that is often unjustly
feared I completely understand the response of the second owner of the Rottie. How do those of us with big dogs,
particularly of breeds like Rotties, Dobermans, bully breeds, etc. that are often feared and misunderstood explain to
the other owner effectively that we aren’t blocking because our dogs are mean but because they allowed their dog to
get too close? Most folks just do not understand and see us as just being defensive or assume we’re blocking off our
aggressive dog.
Wow. You sponsored a ritual human rights violation, then filmed the whole thing for our viewing pleasure! How… nice.
You have supported, celebrated, and cashed in on the mutilation of an innocent boy’s body. You’ve also just lost a fan.
“The doctor said things went just fine…but we never saw the boy again.”
Hm, probably because he was in terrible pain from the unnecessary mutilation of his fully functioning genitals!
You just endorsed and supported child abuse but made sure to walk away before you witnessed the true horror of it. Just stayed for the party. Wow. Congrats.
So I assume you would feel the same about filming culturally important events that involve removing the homologous structures on the female genitals? Especially if the family was planning to do it anyway? Not all cultural activities are good and worth celebrating.
If the circumcision itself is so benign, why did you not film it (you could blur the genitals or focus on the boy’s face instead) to share it with the world?
Even your photo captions joke about this boy’s pain. How is this acceptable?
What a horrendous thing to do and then to promote. For those saying that Americans do this to infants and what’s the big deal – it is a huge deal and I am ashamed to be in this country because of it. I die inside every time I hear that someone is having a baby boy because almost everyone in my state gets the circumcision regardless of what information is out there about it. Rick have you ever watched a circumcision to a baby or a young boy? Do you know the terrible pain and fear and helplessness they experience? Do you know how much worse it is when you see them all happy and trusting and proud during the ceremony before (or like a newborn who is finally calmed down after birth and warm in his mother’s arms only to be taken away, strapped to a hard plastic restraint device, and his penis is ripped apart and cut or tied to cut off circulation with usually no pain relief at all and if some pain relief than only a topical cream that helps about as much as a muscle pain cream)? Do you really think this was a good idea? I agree with the others here saying that you wouldn’t have filmed the ceremony for a female. No, that would be politically incorrect wouldn’t it? Shame on you and shame on anyone that agrees with circumcision – if it is not performed on a MAN with his consent and with proper pain relief then it is WRONG pure and simple.
You’re disgusting, Rick. Circumcision is GENITAL MUTILATION. The fact that you participated in this makes me sick.
This makes me sick… How could you support such a vile and unnecessary procedure?
Rick, this is sick. I am aghast that you would do this. I wonder if this is part of the collaboration between NPR and PBS. (The former has actively promoted genital cutting of non-consenting minors in the past.)
Per your “clarification,” I don’t think that a “bar or bat mitzvah, or a quinceañera” typically includes a human rights violation. Very sad.
I begin by hoping that your site was just hacked and that this is only some sort of terrible joke.
But if somehow that isn’t the case, I’d like to say this: I’ve often enjoyed your show, but I have to tell you, both as a human being and as a victim of genital mutilation, that genital mutilation of any minor (whether male or female) is a violation of the child’s basic human right to bodily integrity. The extremely sensitive and useful tissue removed in these kinds of “rituals” can never be replaced or repaired.
While you and your staff might have been hard pressed to prevent this event from eventually happening, paying for it, in my humble opinion, is beyond the pale and I’d like to see your show apologize for having done so. Encouraging others to do the same, even jokingly, seems ghoulish.
If you have the stomach for it, I challenge you to do a quick internet search and watch how circumcisions are actually done, especially one with only “topical” instead of full anesthesia since this wasn’t a hospital setting. A more thorough knowledge of this ghastly procedure should explain why you didn’t see the boy after it.
I truly hope that this can serve as a teaching moment.
Regards,
Cutting off an important part of a child’s penis is barbaric … and certainly not something to be celebrated.
Almost unbelievable that someone would actually pay to have someone’s genitals mutilated. Ranks alongside doctors ruining a perfectly good part of a childs body for money.
I am appalled that Rick Steves, who has seen so many different cultures, would financially contribute to this barbaric act imposed on a defenseless child. Does he pay to save the lives of starving children in Sudan, or to protect girls from malicious rape and mutilation in the Congo, or a hundred other equally horrible things he might pay to prevent? No he gives his bucks to mutilate a boy. Did he get off on seeing what was probably done to him as a new born American boy, along with 90% of the boys of his generation? Does this make him feel better about his own mutilation? He has lost me as a fan. I will boycott his programs from now on. What’s next a travel log to watch starving people die in Syria, or Palestinian children burning to death from white phosphorous Israeli bombs? Shame on you.
Rick, my family and I are soooo very disappointed in your post. You probably didn’t see that boy again because he was so traumatized by the mutilation. Foreskin serves the purpose of sexual nerve pleasure, lubrication for both partners and protection from infection… What you’ve effectively done is support a barbaric genital mutilation that most countries are either outlawing or strongly advising against. If this were a little girls clitoris being cut would it be any different? Both circumcisions are meant to prevent masturbation (that’s why box sexes started being circumcised in the first place) and yet we’ve come out of the dark ages enough to realize its extremely wrong. Girls are now protected by the law…the sexism you show toward boys by promoting this sick ritual makes me very, very sad. Please take a look at Intact America and other educational websites and reconsider your stance on the rape of little boys.
Sincerely
Melonie McCoy
Rick,
I just happened to stumble on this article doing some searches online about circumcision.
With the wealth of medical knowledge we now have, how could you pay for such a barbaric act? Circumcision is a surgery like any other. And like any surgery, it is always used as a last resort option because all surgery comes with risk.
If you forcibly cut the genitals of children, boys or girls, or adults for that matter, it is a gross violation of their person. It is genital mutilation to remove healthy parts of the genitals.
The foreskin has a number of functions that many people are ignorant to due to the stigma behind the foreskin. It’s only reason for existing is to prevent masturbation. There are not health benefits with removal of healthy tissue. This is common sense.
Real quick; Foreskin has 10,000 to 20,000 meisnner corpuscle nerve endings, the frenar band and frenulum which are highly sensitive structures routinely removed during circ. The perineal nerve is responsible for initiating and maintaining an erection and ejaculation and feeling of orgasm. Circ either partially or completely removes the frenulum severing this nerve. Which will result in limited sexual satisfaction.
I can go on and on about this subject as I’ve read countless medical (not personal) journals and checked many medical societies statements regarding circ. Not one medical org in the world recommends non-therapeutic circ. These medical societies include WHO, RACP, ACP, AAPS, AMA, APP, CPS, CPSM, CPSS, CPSBC, Central Union for Child Welfare, Royal Dutch Medical Society, Paediatric Society of New Zealand, New Zealand Society of Paediatric Surgeons, BMA, GMC, AAFP, AMA, ACOG, ICGI, and DOC. These are only the ones that I have been able to find up until now. I have never come across any that recommend this procedure without a diagnosis of an ailment.
With all do respect, research before you commit.
OMG how could anyone celebrate this, let alone pay for it and call it a gift??!! This disgusts me so much. What you are willing to do for ratings.
You paid for and celebrate the rape of a boy, who had been showered with gifts before hand to make it all “ok”. You even made light of the tremendous pain he’d be in with the caption on one of the pictures.
This is NOTHING like a Quincenera as you claim in a later blog post. At a Quincenera they don’t take her into a back room to mutilate her while people celebrate.
I notice you didn’t even have the stomach to film his pain during or afterward. How horrible of you.
Wandering into a local festivity and casually participating? Acceptable. Even fun!
FUNDING a ritual circumcision – thereby turning a traditional but controversial practice that violates one’s own ethical beliefs into a tourism-funded spectacle? NOT COOL, Rick.
It’s confusing, I know, because you’re right – this boy would probably have been circumcised with or without your participation. However, you are inserting yourself into the culture and affecting whether future boys will be mutilated by condoning and supporting the practice, instead of allowing for gradual cultural change. Many people around the world are questioning the “traditional” practice of circumcision – within the Turkish Muslim population, as PP kelev pointed out, and within the Jewish community, as well as the WASPY Americans who have allowed routine hospital circumcisions for decades.
Please don’t support an institution that brutally mutilates children in the name of tourism, cultural engagement, or even helping out some proud parents.
This is basically taking a pointless and barbaric mutilation and gift wrapping it. That poor kid had no idea what was coming.
You could have paid for the party, but you should have had the sense enough not to pay for the doctor. If his parents couldn’t afford it, then it should not have been done. You better hope that boy doesn’t grow up and want to sue the people responsible. You paid for the surgery, so he could very well come after you!
I totally agree with all the comments made against this disgusting, tragic “ritual”. Yes, we should change these traditions when they are mutilating children. The Jewish people are even starting to do only a dedication/naming ceremony. Educate these people to what is lost, possible their lives! but certainly an important part of their genitals. Educate yourself. And Rick, stick just to the travel part and leave this barbaric ritual alone. I’m sure there are other more “fun” rituals to show us then a circumcision for pete’s sake!!!! Oh, and duh, you didn’t see the boy again, hell no he was probably in shock from the pain, and I’m sure he didn’t take part in the fun activities later!!! your relationship with God has nothing to do with your penis!
Rick,
I am the mother of two sons. My husband and I had them circumcised at birth, not for religious reasons, just because it is typically done for white upper class baby boys. My husband is also circumcised. One time I came across a circumcision discussion and I defended our decision. The responses I received were much like the ones here on your site. I felt attacked.
However, those comments stuck with me. The anti-circ group was right, I had no justification, I felt duped, stupid and guilty for circumcising my sons.
I hope you will listen to these comments, learn, and change your attitude, and hopefully apologize for what you have done (I have apologized to my now adult sons).
So instead of paying for someone’s cleft pallet surgery, fixing a heart defect, or something else useful, you paid for a boy to have a normal body part cut off? With the wealth of information readily available about this barbaric, archaic, and disgusting practice, you still did this. Shame on you. I am no longer a fan. I ask for an apology, which will be seen as something of some redeeming value for the many other fans you’re losing with this.
There’s no way for you to possibly frame this in a good light. What you did was despicable and you need to apologize.
Female circumcision is also a “rite of passage” that ” is an important part of life” in many parts of the world today; can you just imagine the outrage if Steves were advocating contribution to their celebration? It’s a double standard that is as preposterous as it is monstrous. I wonder if contributors get to keep the foreskin as a whimsical souvenir to remember that one magical night when they crossed the globe in order to pay hundreds of dollars to watch a young, naked child being genitally mutilated. Good times.
Rick Steves, did you pay extra to suck the blood from the stump? Will you be funding and filming a female mutilation, too? How about an episode where you bid for a slave? Participating in a disgusting practices is disgusting, and no amount of pageantry can make it acceptable.
I have visited Turkey several times and have seen the stores devoted entirely to the “prince” costumes, sceptres, crowns etc., as well as the photos of the celebrations in photo studios. I have seen the long processions of decorated and honking cars…(I thought it was a wedding until I saw a terrified little boy in the open air car). As I recall, the Turkish word is “sunnet” and I always talked about what is lost whenever I spoke to a Turk who would listen…
To commercialize this barbaric act…by a tourist…is revolting.
Moslems may want to cling to their ancient traditions, but they will be up against the law in some Scandinavian countries.
Looking forward to the female circumcision episode, also an important, glorious cultural practice that we must similarly honor and respect.
I’m sickened to my very core that someone would pay for a baby boy to have a healthy part of his perfect body cut off. The body that God and Mother Nature designed perfectly. There are between 50,000 and 70,000 nerve endings in the human foreskin, it is an important part of the body not just a piece of skin.
You pay for this mutilation to be carried out and then film about it… you are seriously sick!!
The little boy wasn’t seen again… he could have bled to death :( More babies die from circumcision in the US than SIDS :(
Oh, Rick, I’m so dismayed to hear about this! My family and I love your show on PBS and love your humor and enthusiasm for travel. However, to learn that you PAID for a boy to be circumcised makes me ill and dismayed. I was shocked to hear about this actually. Please, please, please – don’t ever contribute to ritualistic mutilation of a child again. No matter the age, gender, culture or religion – it makes no difference – the child cannot consent and may be afraid to speak out against the expectations of their family.
My son is intact and so are my daughters. Would you still have paid for this “gift” if the guest of honor was female?
This story makes me want to VOMIT. I am completely beside myself that I purchased tickets recently to hear you give a travel presentation in my town. I will never be able to read a book by you or watch a program without thinking of your blatant disregard and exploitation human rights abuses of the world’s most vulnerable citizens. I sincerely hope you take the time to educate yourself on this type of mutilation often defended under the guise of ‘culture.’ This poor child could sue you one day for your role in his abuse. You have no idea the outcome, and frankly don’t seem to care one whit.
Wow Rick. I never expected this of you. This is very wrong.
I was disappointed to see this. I do understand that circumcision has been treated as a very inconsequential event in American culture in the past, but as more and more people are realizing the harm that it does, it is being recognized for what it is… genital mutilation. The sad thing is, it got started due to bad science (doctors originally believed it cured everything from epilepsy to STD’s) and for the past 100 years doctors have been trying to convince the general public that it is somehow beneficial. It has only been recently that the medical community has started admitting that it has no health benefits, though American doctors still refuse to admit the harm it causes.
I say all of this because I believe you are just a product of this giant medical experiment, and as such, probably view circumcision as either having some health benefits, or at least being harmless. I can understand why you would not be disturbed by something that was most likely done to YOU at birth, but you might want to do a little research into this procedure. It is far from harmless, it permanently damages a boy’s sexual organ, and regardless of culture or tradition, it is a violation of basic human rights. While you did not actually cause that young boy to be circumcised, your approach to it is as disturbing to most viewers as a young girl’s circumcision would be. (Less than half of American parents are choosing to circumcise their sons, public acceptance of this procedure is definitely diminishing)
I hope you will take this opportunity to learn more about circumcision. You are unwittingly(?) supporting and promoting what most people in the world would consider a form of sexual assault.
Travel is exploration, seeing things beyond one’s borders, and satisfying curiosity. BUT, this is just pathetic! Stop being a p.c. cultural relativist, Rick, and stick to showing people sights and points of interest, because you would never involve yourself or your crew in the ‘ceremony’ of female genital mutilation, would you?! This is male genital mutilation, and the majority of the world condemns it, sees it for the cruelty that it is, or questions the necessity of this barbaric act. It’s their “cultural celebration” or “their tradition” is a lame, ridiculous excuse! You could’ve avoided engaging in this aspect of Turkish/Muslim “culture”, but you took it to an even more offensive level… you paid for it all! What’s next, Rick? Attend the stoning of an “adulteress” or the hanging of homosexual in some countries you visit, because it’s part of their “culture”?! Shame on you!
I understand your point Rick Steves, but you still funded a human rights violation. If this were a female circumcision ceremony would you have helped to pay for it? It’s one thing to film an event like this, it’s another thing entirely to fund it! I suggest you learn more about the irreversible, lifetime damage to a men’s sex organ that is caused by circumcision. Then maybe you would think twice about funding such a ritual. A quinceañera it is not.
“the most beautiful moment for me was the heartfelt thanks the dad gave me as we left” I’m sorry, Rick, but EPIC FAIL on this one. Would the moment have felt “beautiful” if the Taliban had thanked you for buying the stones for them to stone an adulterous woman? That may seem like an extreme example, but extolling the warm fuzzies of a genital mutilation is EVEN WORSE, because both the culture, the boy and EVEN THE FILM CREW, apparently, are blind to the human rights violation. I’ve been to a “circumcision” event like you describe and I was HORRIFIED, not only for the brainwashing of the boy to welcome the destruction of his sexual sensitivity, but also the GLORIFICATION of young boys made out to be princes for being male, with no corresponding respect given to girls. Way to revel in sexist cultural norms that harm boys AND girls.
Wow, your addendum justifying your actions is EVEN WORSE than the original article!
“This rite of passage is an important part of life in this part of the world.” So are many cultural practices that are human rights violations—are you going to film them and pay for them?
“it comes with a big, expensive party for the entire community.” Note to self: human rights violations are apparently OK, just make sure there’s plenty of music, food and wine and you’re covered.
“This family would have thrown their party, at substantial expense, whether or not our cameras had been there.” What kind of logic is this? So…it’s OK to fund and film a human rights violation because otherwise, it would have been a financial burden on the perpetrators?
“Of course, we did not film the circumcision itself, but were able to capture the spirit of a cultural celebration.” So, because a culture celebrates its human rights violations, that makes it OK to film and share with our viewers who might find it ‘interesting.”
Rick, your response to people’s concerns missed the point entirely. The point is that there is a line between cultural practices and human rights violations. Make the argument that circumcision is not a human rights violation, if that’s what you believe. But don’t hide behind comparing this to a bar or bat mitzvah, or a quinceañera, which is not only specious reasoning, but insults the intelligence and sensitivity of the many (former) fans who are outraged at your actions and ignorance on this issue.
As one commenter already pointed out, there are MANY reputable sources from NGOs to the medical profession who are on record saying that circumcision is a human rights violation. Perhaps you don’t agree, but at least have the courage to come out and say THAT and not give us some lame analogy that does not even address our concerns.
As far as I’m concerned, EPIC FAIL on top of EPIC FAIL. So disappointing…
People need to relax and understand that this is done all the time and there’s no way we can change that. If you think it’s abuse then go ahead, this is a normal ritual in many cultures.
Thoroughly disgusting. A sexually mutilated, mature man facilitates the sexual mutilation of a Turkish youth.
Rick–
Thanks for follow-on explanation but you still don’t get it. I sent the following to your office and to your sponsor, Oregon Public Broadcasting. Perhaps this might convince you this is human rights’ abuse you filmed in Turkey:
1. The boy is typically healthy and does not have a physical problem needing amputation.
2. Removing healthy, functional, protective, highly nerve-supplied, erogenous tissue from a child who cannot effectively give free consent is unethical, unless for medical necessity.
3. The child is in a difficult position to refuse, and has often been brow-beaten, bribed, cajoled, lied to, or drugged into submission.
4. Especially in Turkey, the circumciser is often a barber or other lay person, not a physician.
5. The non-clinical setting –a private home or even a public square– is inarguably septic.
6. In the First World, a medically-necessary circumcision on a young boy of seven or eight would be performed only after conservative treatments failed, significant counseling of the boy, and would employ general anesthesia to avoid psychological injury.
7. There is a reason, Mr. Steves, that you did not see the boy after his ‘surgery.’ No doubt he was miserable, in extreme pain, and possibly very angry that he was misled by his family, (and maybe by your crew as well.) Your crew had no way to know the boy’s blood loss or subsequent infections.
8. The long-term physical and psychological outfall of cultural circumcisions can only be estimated as the practice is completely unregulated (even in the USA).
9. Non-medical, merely cultural, genital cutting of children in Turkey is one of the reasons that many European countries have blocked Turkey’s full entry into the EU.
10. We are not required to respect human rights’ abuse of children, no matter how dressed up with ceremony or with appeals to antiquity or even religion.
You need to re-think your attitude toward human rights’ issues, no matter how common they are in the cultures you observe. As many commentators have noted here –would you pay for –and film– female genital mutilation in Somalia? Why might you hesitate?
And speaking of which, why did you not film the actual circumcision of this boy yourself?
John V. Geisheker, JD, LLM.
Director,
Doctors Opposing Circumcision
Seattle, Washington, USA
Just threw My Europe Through the Back Door in the trash. What you did Mr Steves was outrageous. I understand you’ve paid for two circumcisions. Makes me wonder why.
I hope Rick does an adultery stoning and gay hanging episode soon . All of these wonderful cultural experiences are so entertaining and delightful. Id love to see a forced marriage of a child bride to a 50 year old man too.
A gift? Normally a gift implies giving, not taking away. Who would think that a brutal act of violence is a gift? Bizarre!