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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
?article_ID=ZZZJZMEMH4C&sub_cat=549
Circumcision: Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm
?article_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 nonmedical 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.html
http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fg
m1.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/fem_cirm.htm
http://www.unicef.org/protection/index_genitalmu
tilation.html

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