Circumcision: Difference between revisions
imported>Tom Morris (New page: {{subpages}} Male '''circumcision''' is the removal of by cutting of the foreskin from the penis. While circumcision is sometimes performed to relieve foreskin tightness, is is also a cul...) |
imported>John Stephenson (references on African studies) |
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Those who oppose routine circumcision point out that it is extremely painful for a child to go through, is done without their consent, can adversely affect sexual pleasure (Dr. [[John Harvey Kellogg]], an early advocate for routine medical circumcision, argued that circumcision would reduce masturbation), can sometimes have psychological and emotional risks later in life, and can possibly introduce infections. They also argue the performing of medically unnecessary surgery on children is an infringement on their autonomy and even possibly their [[human rights]]. Because of the heavy emphasis placed on circumcision, attempts to regulate or ban circumcision have often been painted as anti-religious or anti-Semitic. | Those who oppose routine circumcision point out that it is extremely painful for a child to go through, is done without their consent, can adversely affect sexual pleasure (Dr. [[John Harvey Kellogg]], an early advocate for routine medical circumcision, argued that circumcision would reduce masturbation), can sometimes have psychological and emotional risks later in life, and can possibly introduce infections. They also argue the performing of medically unnecessary surgery on children is an infringement on their autonomy and even possibly their [[human rights]]. Because of the heavy emphasis placed on circumcision, attempts to regulate or ban circumcision have often been painted as anti-religious or anti-Semitic. | ||
Those who support circumcision state that it does have health benefits: the [[Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS]] (UNAIDS) has stated that [[HIV]] acquisition from penile-vaginal intercourse is significantly reduced among those who are circumcised. Many also state that they support circumcision as a cultural practice - in the [[United States]], although dropping in the 1990s, circumcision has been routinely high - in the seventy-to-eighty percent range - for most of the twentieth century. Some fear that not getting a child circumcised will leave him as an outsider - teased in the locker-room, or with sexual partners preferring the look and feel of a circumcised rather than uncircumcised organ. | Those who support circumcision state that it does have health benefits: the [[Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS]] (UNAIDS) has stated that [[HIV]] acquisition from penile-vaginal intercourse is significantly reduced among those who are circumcised. Studies in [[South Africa]],<ref>''PLoS Medicine'': '[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0020298 Randomized, Controlled Intervention Trial of Male Circumcision for Reduction of HIV Infection Risk: The ANRS 1265 Trial]'.</ref> [[Kenya]]<ref>''The Lancet'': '[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60312-2 Male circumcision for HIV prevention in young men in Kisumu, Kenya: a randomised controlled trial]'.</ref> and [[Uganda]],<ref>''The Lancet'': '[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60313-4 Male circumcision for HIV prevention in men in Rakai, Uganda: a randomised trial]'.</ref> where HIV rates are high, appeared to show a benefit, but these studies were halted early.<ref>''New Scientist'': '[http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19926651.900-circumcision-to-cut-or-not-to-cut.html Circumcision: To cut or not to cut? ]'. 16th July 2008.</ref> Many also state that they support circumcision as a cultural practice - in the [[United States]], although dropping in the 1990s, circumcision has been routinely high - in the seventy-to-eighty percent range - for most of the twentieth century. Some fear that not getting a child circumcised will leave him as an outsider - teased in the locker-room, or with sexual partners preferring the look and feel of a circumcised rather than uncircumcised organ. | ||
The [[World Health Organization]] state that 30% of men are circumcised, the vast majority of those being Muslims. In the [[United Kingdom]], the [[National Health Service]] does not provide circumcision for non-medical reasons. | The [[World Health Organization]] state that 30% of men are circumcised, the vast majority of those being Muslims. In the [[United Kingdom]], the [[National Health Service]] does not provide circumcision for non-medical reasons. | ||
==Footnotes== | |||
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Revision as of 11:42, 7 January 2009
Male circumcision is the removal of by cutting of the foreskin from the penis. While circumcision is sometimes performed to relieve foreskin tightness, is is also a cultural and religious practice. For Jews, circumcision is a commandment in the Torah. For Muslims, it is widely practiced although the Qu'ran does not mandate it.
Those who oppose routine circumcision point out that it is extremely painful for a child to go through, is done without their consent, can adversely affect sexual pleasure (Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, an early advocate for routine medical circumcision, argued that circumcision would reduce masturbation), can sometimes have psychological and emotional risks later in life, and can possibly introduce infections. They also argue the performing of medically unnecessary surgery on children is an infringement on their autonomy and even possibly their human rights. Because of the heavy emphasis placed on circumcision, attempts to regulate or ban circumcision have often been painted as anti-religious or anti-Semitic.
Those who support circumcision state that it does have health benefits: the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has stated that HIV acquisition from penile-vaginal intercourse is significantly reduced among those who are circumcised. Studies in South Africa,[1] Kenya[2] and Uganda,[3] where HIV rates are high, appeared to show a benefit, but these studies were halted early.[4] Many also state that they support circumcision as a cultural practice - in the United States, although dropping in the 1990s, circumcision has been routinely high - in the seventy-to-eighty percent range - for most of the twentieth century. Some fear that not getting a child circumcised will leave him as an outsider - teased in the locker-room, or with sexual partners preferring the look and feel of a circumcised rather than uncircumcised organ.
The World Health Organization state that 30% of men are circumcised, the vast majority of those being Muslims. In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service does not provide circumcision for non-medical reasons.
Footnotes
- ↑ PLoS Medicine: 'Randomized, Controlled Intervention Trial of Male Circumcision for Reduction of HIV Infection Risk: The ANRS 1265 Trial'.
- ↑ The Lancet: 'Male circumcision for HIV prevention in young men in Kisumu, Kenya: a randomised controlled trial'.
- ↑ The Lancet: 'Male circumcision for HIV prevention in men in Rakai, Uganda: a randomised trial'.
- ↑ New Scientist: 'Circumcision: To cut or not to cut? '. 16th July 2008.