Male Circumcision Essay

To briefly state, cultural relativity is the notion that an individual’s beliefs, values, and practices should be understood through their cultural perspective, instead of being criticized and compared to another. While, ethical relativity states that the basis of what is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of that society. These terms evoke controversy when it comes to circumcision of both females and males because many individuals feel that circumcision violates basic human rights due to it involving the “removal of a normal, healthy body part and causing unnecessary pain” (Roberts, Male Circumcision). Thus, many individuals feel that there should be a disregard towards these theories, since preference of circumcision is “not sufficient

Within male circumcision the process involves the total or partial removal of the frenulum tissue of the penis. While, in females the process may involve the removal of the clitoris hood or entire clitoris and sometimes includes the inner or outer vulva too. Though, the main difference of circumcision between male and females is the amount of tissue and genitilia being removed in the procedure. Usually female circumcision involves more damage because “a female circumciser often uses instruments and techniques that result in jagged cuts, a female can experience serious urinary problems, including more frequent urinary tract infections that lead to kidney infections and kidney failure” (Male vs. Female Circumcision). While in male’s circumcision usually has less serious side effects, which is a reason why some individuals justify male circumcision. Yet, it is important to acknowledge that even though male circumcision has less serious side effects, this procedure is usually done during infancy and a “baby still has nerve endings in their genitals at birth, therefore surgically cutting a newborn’s penis undoubtedly causes extreme pain” (Roberts, Male

In some cultures, they view circumcision as a rite of passage; which marks the transition of adolescents to adulthood. One of the cultures that practice this rite of passage is the maasai tribe, which is located in Kenya. In the maasai tribe circumcision occurs in both males and females, but as stated before female circumcision involves more tissue removal. Thus, if a female decides she does not want to be circumcised, there is no understanding and often she will be viewed differently. There is more of a stigma attached to uncircumcised females because “Maasai believe that if you are not circumcised, the clitoris will disturb you and will lead you to become a prostitute” (Becoming Maasai Women 4:17). So, it is evident that the Maasai believe the clitoris will arouse high sexual behavior in a female and that removing it will aid in controlling that behavior. Within the short documentary Becoming Masaai Women, a young girl states “when a girl is not circumcised, she won’t have the privileges a of a circumcised girl, I will get no respect, people will never respect me”, this demonstrates just how instilled circumcision is within young girls of the maasai tribe. Yet, there are medical conditions in which only affects males, where circumcision is a viable treatment. One of those conditions in males are “Phimosis which is a condition where the foreskin is constricted and cannot be pulled