Male Circumcision

In the United States

Circumcision first became widely popular in the United

States during the 1800s when little was actually known
about reproductive and sexual health by doctors. It was
believed that masturbation was extremely harmful to
both mental and physical health, and further, that the
boy or man with a natural/uncircumcised penis was
more likely to engage in masturbation. The ironic thing is
that studies completed over 100 years later showed that
exactly the reverse was true! Circumcised men seemed
to be more likely to engage in masturbation.
 Circumcision is not necessary for
good hygiene for the vast majority of
boys and men
More recently, doctors have
learned that a male can stay
just as healthy and clean by
following very simple
washing with soap and water.
Since this washing takes no
longer than the washing of a
circumcised penis and clean
water and soap are readily
available in our society, the
only remaining reasons for
circumcision are social and
religious.
Male circumcision as a
religious rite
Only the Jewish and Islamic
faiths require this religious rite
that recalls Abrahams
willingness to sacrifice his son
to God. The sacrifice of the
male foreskin is a blood
covenant between the people
of these faiths and their God.
This rite is not a part of
Christian practice, although
many Christians choose
circumcision for cultural or
health reasons.
 Cultural norms change over time

Today, a lot of
men are
protesting the
routine
circumcision of
infants. They
believe theyve
been mutilated;
robbed of a
natural, normal
part of their body
that protects the
sensitivity of
their penis.
 Natural is becoming normalized

We are used to the look of the circumcised penis

because it has been a tradition in our society, but across
the world, far many more men are left
intact/natural/uncircumcised. After physicians stopped
encouraging parents to go ahead with this surgery on
their sons, the trend began to change and today only
about 60% of infant boys are circumcised, with the
numbers decreasing each year. For parents worried that
their son will be viewed as freakish in Junior High gym
class for having a natural/uncircumcised penis, there
should be consideration of the fact that both circumcised
and uncircumcised boys will be the norm, with even more
boys being left in their natural state as years go by.
Circumcision removes the foreskin
and

Several organizations in
the United States are
advocating against
routine circumcision; and
for letting boys and men
make their own choices
about their penis.
Circumcision is only
medically necessary for
boys who suffer from
phimosis (see your
textbook).
From natural/intact to circumcised

Here you see a

normal, intact
infant male. His
foreskin
(prepuce) covers
the sensitive tip
(glans) of his
penis.
All surgeries pose at least minor risks

The foreskin is pulled away

from the glans penis prior
to surgical removal.
This often causes some
abrasions to the glans
because the foreskin has
not yet naturally loosened
from the glans.
In most cases there is no
major or lasting damage.
If you choose this surgery, be sure to
request that your son be given a local
anesthetic for the pain

A circular plastic
plastic clamp keeps
the foreskin
separated from the
glans during the
surgery to cut away
the foreskin.
The clamp may be
left on for a few
days during healing.
 Surgery performed on infants heals much
more quickly than when performed on older
boys or adults
 For more information

This page from the American Academy of Pediatrics

(AAP) briefly explains their reasoning for advising
against routine circumcision of infant boys.
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/marcircum.htm
Circumcision Information for Parents:
http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?arti
cle_ID=ZZZJZMEMH4C&sub_cat=549
Circumcision: Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?arti
cle_ID=ZZZ13FOPIUC&sub_cat=549
 Female circumcision
not the same at all
Female genital mutilation
(FGM), also called female
circumcision, is defined as the
cutting or partial/total removal
of the external female
genitalia for cultural, religious,
or other non-medical reasons.
This procedure is carried out
on young girls, from ages four
to ten, depending on the
ethnic group. FGM removes
the tissues around the vagina
that allow women to have
pleasurable sexual feelings.
The World Health Organization is
educating against this practice
Some reasons for FGM are to
ensure a girl's cleanliness,
reduce promiscuity, and
increase the chances of
marriage. Many people
describe this procedure as
being a form social and
cultural control over a woman's
sexuality. Some cultures see
FGM as a rite of passage for
young girls and many cultures
have made this a tradition after
practicing it for several
thousands of years.
 The reality is not pretty

When a girl is cut, she is considered a

"real" woman because her "male parts",
the clitoris and labia, are removed.
Families of the mutilated females have
"justifications" for these practices. Local
villagers consider a girl who is not
circumcised "unclean", and therefore
unmarriageable. People also think that a
girl who does not have her clitoris
removed is considered a great danger
and ultimately fatal to a man if her clitoris
touches his penis.
Even in the United States,
where it is illegal
Everyday, 6,000 girls
and women are
mutilated and the
practice is even
becoming widespread
in the United States
because of the rising
number of immigrants
who come here and
request for the "sacred
surgery" to be done on
their daughters and
wives.
 To learn more about FGM

Visit these websites:

http://www.bygirlsforgirls.org/2001/intlissues2.h
tml
http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fg
m1.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/fem_cirm.htm
http://www.unicef.org/protection/index_genital
mutilation.html