A hot button issue in our society over the years has been the topic of male and female circumcision. This issue has been portrayed in both ethical and political paradigms. “It is estimated that about 30% of males are circumcised worldwide for religious, cultural, and health reasons, most of whom live in major parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, West Africa and Israel, as well as in the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand,” according to Demuth (1). Male circumcision is the medical process of the removal of the foreskin that covers the head of the penis. In continuation, the article “Prevalence of Female Genital Cutting among Egyptian Girls,” estimates that between “100 and 130 million girls and women now alive in at least 28 African countries and the Middle East have been subjected to female circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM)” stated by Tag-Eldin (3). The female genital mutilation is a bit different than a male’s circumcision, generally consisting of three types. “Type 1 is the removal of the clitoris, Type 2 is the removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, and Type 3 is the removal of all parts of the external genitalia, which includes: the clitoris, the labia minora/majora, and then sewing the rest of the tissues,” according to Pauls (4). The origin of circumcision is currently unknown, but according to the article “Circumcision”, there is a theory that in Ancient Egypt, Egyptians men were circumcised and eliminated all of their body hair for probably hygienic reasons. In addition, in the “Book of the Dead” it describes the sun god, Ra, to have circumcised himself (40). This suggests that it may have also been for religious reasons.
Circumcision is a topic that may be familiar in asso...
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...rtain culture or religion believes. These beliefs may be such that removing pleasure from a female’s body is to prevent temptation, or that circumcising a male’s penis is to follow a religious belief as is the case in Judaism. In both of these practices a human part of the body is removed. The person undergoing the circumcision, unfortunately, usually has no voice on this process; it is totally up to their parents to make a decision for them and in the end it is the child who is really affected because he or she may not be “normal” according to where he or she lives. This issue has been an ethical and political target over the years due to the fact of the consequences of a female genital mutilation could bring at giving birth. Some people will argue that both a male’s and female’s circumcision are moral, while others will argue that both are wrong, even mutilating.
Female genital mutilation is mostly practiced in Islamic and African cultures, claiming young girls as t...
"I remember the blade. How it shone! There was a woman kneeling over me with the knife. I bit her; it was all I could do. Then three women came to hold me down. One of them sat on my chest. I bit her with all my might." These words reflect Banassiri Sylla’s account of her experience undergoing female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), at the young age of eight in the Ivory Coast. This disturbing description of her struggle makes it hard to understand why any culture could support such a practice. Yet, it is estimated that about 132 million women and girls in about thirty African countries have undergone the same, or at least similar, cultural procedure as Banassiri. According to the World Health Organization, about two million girls undergo female genital mutilation every year and the percentage of women circumcised is as high as ninety-eight percent in countries such as Djibouti .
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.
Most Americans view circumcision as a solution to a problem which it is not. Circumcision has not been scientifically proven to prevent, solve, or improve any health condition or state. One of the most common reasons people circumcise infants is because they believe it will make cleaning babies easier. This is a common misconception. Parents for generations have been taught that uncircumcised babies need to have the underside of their foreskin cleaned, but this is physically impossible to do without permanently damaging the organ. When a baby is born the foreskin is fused to the head of the penis, thus no additional care is needed. The organ is very self-cleaning just like it’s female
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...
One of Kimmel’s main points in chapter 3 has to deal with rituals of gender. Initiation rituals in particular, which strive to, “provide a sense of identity and group membership to the men who participate in them." (Kimmel p.70) This of course is alluding to circumcision, which is, “the excision of the foreskin of a boy’s penis.” Kimmel raises the question of why genital mutilation is seen as membership into the adult world. Which is a very valid question. Circumcision is the most common medical procedure in the United States. (Insane to think about) It originates from the Jewish bible, where the circumcision was thought to be a visible sign of the bond between man and God. He then goes on to explain female genital mutilation. When a clitordectomy happens, “the clitoris is cut away, or infibulated.” (Kimmel p.71) When learning of this I felt the collective moan of men when
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
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...
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.
These procedures are done from birth to 5 years old and are seen as a part of growing up; uncircumcised Somalians are seen as unclean (Lewis, T. 2009). While male circumcision is safe if done correctly, female circumcision is dangerous for the child and can have many devastating complications. Some complications include scarring, urinary complications, sexual dysfunction, and psychological problems (Hearst, A., & Molnar, A. 2013). These views about uncircumcised men and women are founded in social tradition and religious beliefs (Hearst, A., & Molnar, A.
The religious, spiritual and emotional reasons for circumcision differ greatly from a pact with god, to showing your faithfulness to a tribe by having your son publicly undergo the procedure. But are there any medical justifications for circumcision? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 1971 ”There are no valid medical indications for circumcision in the neonatal period.” Recently however the AAP reconsidered its position. In 1989 it concluded that circumcised male infants have “ potential medical benefits and advantages, after all uncircumcised males have eleven times more urinary tract infections.
Female Circumcision, also known as Female Genital Mutilation is the cutting partial/ total removal of the external female genitalia (Clitoris, sometimes the labia of girls or young women). It’s done for non-medical reasons, being that different parts of the world still practicing it, it’s consider a part of tradition, cultural beliefs and is religious. Female Genital Mutilation, FGM is usually performed on females from the age of infancy to young women, mainly done before the first menstrual period. FGM is generally being done in the Middle- Eastern part of the world and mainly in many parts of Africa. With the World Health Organization, WHO signed with nine United Nations including The United States have eliminated FGM.
Ans. The need of circumcision as a rule depends on society, religion, and convention. Some religion, especially Islam, Coptic Christianity and Judaism have their different perspectives about its significance. In any case, a few people have raised claims and level headed discussion on its brutality including the subjection of recently conceived babies to compelling agonies, both physically and mentally, on the grounds that the guardians won't relinquish their old convictions.
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.
Our Story: Sex and circumcision, though dissimilar, share a common and key element. And the discussion of each of these acts has, for my entire life, been shrouded in somewhat hushed tones. For me, private parts are particularly personal. Although people who discuss such topics rather freely exist, those who do usually vocalize in tones indicating that he is either treading in forbidden territory, or lacks the personal respect and integrity required by an honorable conversation. With these feelings and experiences in mind, as I studied through Romans, I asked God, Why? Why had He chosen circumcision? Why, for me and for others, is the topic of sex and sexuality uncomfortable, even without obvious negative or abusive experiences? And finally, why would a good God move blatantly into this personal area of controversy and pain?