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Essays about circumcision
Essays about circumcision
Essays about circumcision
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Introduction
Circumcision is a minor surgical procedure that involves the removal of the foreskin of the penis. Circumcision is not only one of the most common procedures but is also recorded as one of the most oldest procedures, traditionally believed to be part of cultural and religious activities but has now become established in the healthcare world as being vastly advantageous for one’s health and is some regards, one’s social status.
Circumcision is still widely prevalent in today’s society. Statistics in the Jewish culture show that almost all new born Jewish males in Israel as well as 99% of Jewish men in the UK are circumcised (1). A study by the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) of America showed that 59.1% of all newborn males in the US were circumcised (2). Lastly, worldwide statistics further show that 25% of men in the world are circumcised; the largest totals coming from the Asian, Muslim, African and Middle Eastern populations (3)
Origin & History
The exact origin of circumcision remains largely unclear. The earliest record of circumcision, however it is unclear of whether is originated here, comes from Egypt in the form of a carved image on a tomb depicting the circumcision of an adult (1). Historically it is also known that circumcision has been practiced ritualistically in West Africa and in the Middle East for 5000 and 300 years respectively but it is unclear weather is was adopted from the Egyptians or adapted on their own. (2) Circumcision also became a very important ritual to the Jewish and Muslim shortly after it was first practiced however this exact time is unclear (4). It was only until the late nineteenth century where circumcision was first practiced as a medically sanctioned procedure in Bri...
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Technique
Methods of circumcision vary worldwide but follow the same general procedure: (22)
1. Freeing the foreskin
2. Excising the foreskin
3. Haemostasis
4. Wound healing
Procedures are divided into two general categories which revolve around the age of the patient: First weeks of life and older
A. Procedures in first weeks of life
a. Freehand with guided cutting e.g. Mogen Clamp
b. Free hand with haemostatic device e.g. Gomco (23)
B. Procedure in older patients (infant, child or adult)
a. Sleeve technique (sometimes with a haemostatic device) (23)
Complications and Risks
Complications of circumcision is generally reported as low, between 1 and 4% (24). The most common acute complications include: (22)
Infection
Haemorrhage; most commonly due to a Vitamin K deficiency
Post-operative bleeding
Fistula formation
Uncommonly septicaemia and meningitis
In Althaus’ article, she provides in-depth information about female circumcision; a highly controversial cultural ritual that is practiced in at least 28 countries
When parents first discover they are having a baby, there are so many aspects to consider. Who is going to be their doctor, which hospital are they going to deliver at, what are they going to name the baby, and what color should they paint the nursery. Parents that are expecting a male newborn have to decide if they want their baby to be circumcised. For many families, this is an easy decision based on their cultural or religious beliefs. However, for others the right option is not as clear. Over the years, the topic of circumcision has been debated and views have swayed for and against the procedure. Ultimately, the parents must evaluate all the pros and cons and make the decision that aligns best with their thoughts and beliefs. The parent’s decision about the procedure will be influenced by various factors. It is vital that they are educated on the accurate information surrounding the advantages and disadvantages of the circumcision. This paper will evaluate both sides of this controversial issue.
Freedom of choice is a desire for most, but as we are young we depend on the decision of our parents. With this dependent nature of a child the freedom of choice is limited, for males this can lead to a life long consequence. Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin; the skin covering the head of the penis. Circumcision is practiced for religious purposes in Jewish and Muslim communities. Normally, the boy’s age varies from 4 to 11 years old. In the United States, this procedure is also done but without a religious purpose. The boys in this case are commonly newborn. This practice became popular after medical groups claimed that there were many health benefits that came with circumcision. Though it has been proven otherwise, it is still a common practice in the U.S. fueled by ignorance. Circumcision is an unnecessary surgery that leads to psychological problems, issues with sexual activities and lasting physical damage.
Circumcision, a rather uncomfortable, and unspoken tradition in American society. Yet, every day thousands of parents are choosing to cut off a perfectly good part of their child's body for what reason exactly? No one really talks about it, so no one really knows, and from this silence has grown decades of myths based on ignorance and shame. Today, America has taken circumcision and turned it into such a popular tradition that nearly 85% of men are currently cut. There is no reason for this number to be so high though, as most of America is not Jewish, or Islamic, the two major religions that still practice circumcision, and most medical, and ethical communities frown on this practice. This tradition
Certainly, in the United States (and much of the Western world), female circumcision is illegal; however, male circumcision is utterly legal. In fact, in 2007, the Center for Disease Control reported that almost eighty percent of men in the United States were circumcised (Morris): legally, zero percent were females. Yet, several nations, where the culture is absolutely polar from the West, have prohibited male circumcision (Evans). The predominant factor, of course. The ideologies of culture make the laws, including morals; thus, these laws represent each region’s civilization, morals, and culture. Again, doctors must conform—this time to the law, not the parent. So, any decision doctors make, regarding circumcision, is due to cultural restrictions and their own
Male circumcision involves the process of amputating the foreskin so that the glans of the penis is exposed. (2:602) Nontherapeutic male circumcision has been performed over many centuries and it is an integral part of some religions and cultures. The World Health Organization reports that 30% of males globally are circumcised, with 70% of these being Muslim. (3:1) The prophet Muhammad proclaimed that all followers must circumcise their sons on day seven postpartum. Although not all Muslims follow this exactly, males are circumcised within the first 10 years of age and it is one of the factors of the customs in Islam that allow for personal hygiene. (4:76) Judaism also values circumcision as an important part of the religion. As is described in the Old Testament it is one of the prerequisites to becoming a great nation that Abraham undergoes circumcision, and that every male be circumcised on the eight day of life. (4:76) Although Jesus Christ himself was circumcised, his disciple Paul proclaimed that this act is no longer necessary, thus circumcision is no longer a part of Christianity. (4:76) In addition to religious incentives for nontherapeutic circumcision, cultur...
“The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that circumcision has potential medical benefits and advantages, as well as risks. Evaluation of current evidence indicates that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks and that the procedure's benefits justify access to this procedure for families who choose it, however, existing scientific evidence is not sufficient to recommend routine circumcision.” (n.d.).
Throughout our research, we have discovered that circumcision plays a big role in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. After coming across this article, it became clear that the benefits of circumcision are not widely known, even in doctors and nurses who play a role in performing the neonatal male circumcisions. This article is important to our project because it shows that even though circumcision is effective in the prevention against sexually transmitted infections, along with promoting proper hygiene, 62% of health care workers did not think that neonatal circumcision would help in the prevention of HIV.
Circumcision has been a religious practice in many different cultures, ranging from Africa to the Middle East, and to Asia. While prevalent in both Jewish and Muslim societies, the earliest known documentation of circumcision comes from Egyptian hieroglyphics discovered dating back to 2300 BC. While the reason behind circumcision is currently unknown, many theories exist as to attempt to explain it origins. One theory persists that that circumcision started as a way to release the body from sin, and purifying both the individual and the society, as sexuality was seen as dirty and impure, and the removing of the foreskin would reduce sexual pleasure. In Abrahamic faiths, Jewish and Muslim, circumcision is practiced as a way confirm one 's relationship to God, and is stated in the Torah, as the covenant between God and Abraham, “This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised. " While two of the earliest form of Christianity, Coptic Christian, and Ethiopian Orthodox
Female genital mutilation (also known as female circumcision) is the cutting of female clitoral hood and removing clitoris. Following the cutting of female genital organ, there are many short-term and long-term health risk problems, and even death due to some complicated infections. The reasons for performing female genital mutilation are connected with socio-cultural beliefs, attitudes, values and customs, transition of girls into womanhood, tradition and cultural heritage, the fear of not having access to resources and opportunities as a young woman, perception to reduce sexual desire of females; hence, will sustain premarital virginity, and maintain marital fidelity. Actions have taken at international, national and regional levels since the past many years and have begun to bear fruits, but the practice is still undergoing in many countries in the world and highly prevalent in Africa. To continue and motivate further reduction in changing the society’s attitudes towards female genital mutilation in the countries where the prevalence has remained stable so it’s therefor...
“Most Christians I know are shocked to think about female circumcision and cannot imagine believing God would want it. Most Jews consider only male circumcision to be commanded by God. Most theologians in the Islamic faith consider female circumcision to be completely unnecessary and argue it is contrary to true Islam. And yet followers of all three of these major monotheistic religions have at times practiced female circumcision and considered their practices sanctioned, or at least not prohibited, by
Vaginoplasty is plastic surgery for the vagina. More commonly known as vaginal rejuvenation, it is often done to help strengthen vaginal muscles that significantly weaken after childbirth. These procedures often involve removing of vaginal tissue or grafting tissue from other parts of the body. Why Get Vaginoplasty?
Rites of passage, specifically circumcision, are the focus of study for multiple theorists. Circumcision as a ritual of passage encompasses various theories on the function of these ritualistic passages. Arnold Van Gennep, Vincent Crapanzano, and Victor Turner each approach the ritual of circumcisions’ function differently, specifically they question whether the ritual can be considered in stages.
Male circumcision is a surgical procedure in which the skin covering the end/head( foreskin) of the penis is removed at birth in boys. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that circumcision is usually performed by a doctor in the first few days of life in United States and that an infant must be stable and healthy to safely be circumcised. In United States, circumcision is practiced for religious and social purposes, it started from Biblical times as God's instruction to Abraham. “Parents ultimately should decide whether circumcision is in the best interests of their male child. They will need to weigh medical information in the context of their own religious, ethical, and cultural beliefs and practices.
CIRCUMCISION Description Circumcision is also known as a foreskin removal or removal of foreskin. It is a surgical removal of the foreskin covering the tip of the penis. Pre Surgery Circumcision is only done when there’s a medical need such as when the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back (retracted) over the glans. Otherwise it was ancient practise done for religious or cultural rituals for many Islamic and Jewish families, in certain tribes of Africa and Australia.