For many years in the United States, circumcision was considered a part of basic hygiene. Now medical professionals are not so sure. The medical uncertainty has regular Americans arguing as well. The issue of male circumcision is a hot-button topic. Some liken circumcision to genital mutilation, and some assert that it is a medical necessity. To please both parties, I propose that limiting circumcision to those 18 or above in medical settings. Circumcision is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the foreskin. ("Circumcision: Benefits, Procedures and Risks"). Circumcision is an ancient surgical practice that has evolved in many cultures in the world. The practice is most recognizable in Jewish and Islamic culture. For these religions, …show more content…
According to the American Pregnancy Association, “The rate of complications ranges from 0.1%-35% with most complications involving infection [or] bleeding,” ("Circumcision: Benefits, Procedures and Risks"). Supporters also believe that the procedure is the parent's choice alone. There is also the cultural and religious argument. Muslims and Jews undergo the procedure as part of their faith, and banning circumcision could infringe on their right to freedom of religion. In conclusion, those in support of circumcision believe that it is beneficial to health, poses little risk, is more pleasing, and is up to the parent of the child to decide. The zeal of circumcision supporters is matched in the opposition, who also bring valid arguments to the table. Those who are against circumcision have evidence of their own as well. Those who oppose circumcision argue that the reported benefits are minimal or exaggerated. On intactamerica.org, an anti-circumcision webpage, it states that, “Claims that circumcision prevents HIV have repeatedly been proven to be exaggerated or false. Only abstinence or safe sex, including the use of condoms, can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS,” ("The Myths and Facts of Circumcision | Intact
Descriptions of ritual circumcision span across cultures, and have been described in ancient Egyptian texts as well as the Old Testament. With this being said, “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.).
Afterwards, the parents sign a surgical consent giving the provider the approval to perform the procedure. The purpose of the circumcision is to remove the foreskin from the head of the penis, and allow the head of the penis to be exposed. The provider will use various supplies during the procedure such as an topical or injection anesthetic, a scapula to cut the foreskin, and one of three different clamps to hold the foreskin. According to Bcheraoui et al. (2014), studies have revealed that male circumcisions have an overall side effects rate of 0.5% if performed during the child’s first year of life, but increase up to 20 times that if performed after
Little, Cindy M. "FEMALE GENITAL CIRCUMCISION: MEDICAL AND CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS." Journal of Cultural Diversity 10.1 (2003): 30-34. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.
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.
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
Neonatal circumcision is one of the most often executed surgeries in the United States. (1:130) In my clinical practice thus far, the question whether to circumcise male neonates or not is frequently asked in the postpartum period. Midwives play an important role in providing informed choice discussions for their clients, it is thus our role to present the research evidence available in order to help women make the right choice for them and their families. This paper aims to describe the different incentives of male circumcision and the benefits and risks involved.
Since circumcision has so many risks, I would not recommend circumcision for my patients. Some risks include bleeding, pain, infection, excess loss of skin, redundant foreskin resulting in circumcision revision, penile adhesions, meatitis/meatal stenosis, urethrocutaneous fistula, glanular necrosis/glanular amputation
Unlike male circumcisions which were practice for religious purposes, female circumcision is done for social convention and is practiced as a way to prepare girls for marriage, as well as conform to societal norms of femininity. Female circumcisions are often motivated by what would be considered proper female behavior and as a way to promote virginity as well as cause pain during intercourse to uphold these beliefs. Much like male circumcision these societal beliefs about sex and purity, have affected these cultures in their convictions that circumcision must be performed to be pure and free of
Many of us never heard of Female Genital Mutilation until the story of Kauziya Kasinga, a woman from West Africa. Her father did not believe in polygamy, forced marriage, or "female circumcision". He died when she was 17 and the father's sister inherited the home, banished the mother, ended Fauziya's schooling, and arranged a marriage as a fourth wife to a man she had never met. The aunt scheduled her for the circumcision and she ran with 3,000 dollars that one of her aunts had saved.
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...
The United States of America is one of the very few countries that practices routine infant circumcision. In fact, 80% of the world's population does not circumcise males as a regular practice. Germany has gone as far making circumcision a crime, citing circumcision as a criminal assault in 2012. It was once common belief
Infant circumcision is one of the most controversial bioethical issues during this time. On one hand some researchers try and justify the practice of circumcision with arguments of hygienic issues, ideology, parental rights, cultural identity, and freedom of religion. On the other hand some researchers argue that circumcision violates morality, making the point that an infant being circumcised is absolutely unable to give consent, calling circumcision a form of abuse.
Imagine this! Being either a young girl or a woman forcefully bound against your will while elders perform a procedure called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The young girls and women who are forced to have this procedure done not only loses their rights to sexual pleasure but their rights are sliced, chopped, punctured, and finally burnt away. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) otherwise known as Female Genital Circumcision (FGC) is also a controversial topic in Western societies. This paper will examine the history of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), hegemonic perspective on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), health consequences of having this procedure done, how Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) affects women’s sexual function, and women who have gotten genital reconstruction done on their vagina.
“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
Female circumcision, also known as Female genital mutilation, or female genital cutting is a custom that has sparked controversy among many people belonging to other cultures not accustomed to the practice. Within the argument lay a series of debates surrounding the issue as culture and tradition clash with human rights over whether or not this practice should be allowed. Advocates against the practice draw on the prevalence, perceptions, and reasons for conducting FGM to combat what they believe is a human rights issue.