Is male circumcision ethical?

Under existing United States law and international human rights declarations as well, circumcision already violates boys› absolute rights to equal protection, bodily integrity, autonomy, and freedom to choose their own religion. A physician has a legal duty to protect children from unnecessary interventions.

Is male circumcision medically justified?

Generally, circumcision isn't medically necessary. Parents may decide to have their newborn males circumcised for social, cultural, or religious reasons. There are medical reasons we may recommend circumcision, such as preventing bacteria from getting trapped and lowering the risk of infections.

What is the ethics of male circumcision?

The revised statement now mentions that male circumcision is generally assumed to be lawful provided that it is performed competently, is believed to be in the child's best interests, and there is valid consent from both parent or the child if it is capable of expressing a view.

Is male circumcision a violation of human rights?

Male circumcision also violates four core human rights documents-the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention Against Torture.

What are the problems with male circumcision?

Risks of circumcision

Apart from the initial swelling, bleeding and infection are the 2 most common problems associated with circumcision. Other possible complications of circumcision can include: permanent reduction in sensation in the head of the penis, particularly during sex. tenderness around the scar.

The Cases For and Against Circumcision

What religion does not circumcise?

Sikhism does not require circumcision of either males or females, and criticizes the practice.

What cultures don t circumcise?

Among the non-circumcising nations are Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, the U.S.S.R. , China, and Japan. People employing circumcision do so either for "health" reasons or as a religious ritual practiced by Muslims, Jews, most black Africans, non-white Australians, and others.

Is it cruel to circumcise a baby?

Although opponents argue that infant circumcision can cause both physical and psychological harm, recent strong evidence shows that circumcision is medically beneficial. If competently performed, it carries little risk.

What is the controversy of circumcision?

Male circumcision has been a subject of controversy for a number of reasons including religious, ethical, sexual, and medical.

Why are people against circumcision?

They view it as a human rights issue, similar to female genital mutilation, a practice that is universally reviled and condemned. To alter a person's body without their consent is wrong, they claim, even if there are potential health benefits.

Is there a stigma to uncircumcised?

Unfortunately, the stigma around uncircumcised penises does exist. Jessie cites smegma, a common phenomenon in uncircumcised penises in which shed skin cells, skin oils and moisture collect under the foreskin, as a key reason why uncircumcised penises are stigmatized. They're seen as unclean.

Is male circumcision cultural?

Male circumcision is one of the oldest and most common surgical procedures known, traditionally undertaken as a mark of cultural identity or religious importance.

What do urologists think of circumcision?

As one of the most common procedures a boy undergoes, urologists recommend this procedure for its distinct link to personal hygiene and preventive health care. Thanks to the advancements in technology, circumcision can now be performed for newborn babies, albeit it's a more complicated procedure.

Why is circumcision popular in America?

Current circumcision incidence and prevalence in the United States is approximately 80% due to support from the country's medical community as a prophylactic health intervention against disease. The continent of Africa, similarly, has widely adopted the practice as a preventive measure against the spread of HIV.

Why is circumcision such a big deal?

Parents in the United States have routinely circumcised their sons since the 1940s, in large part because doctors believed it promoted good hygiene and prevented disease. To Jews and Muslims, circumcision is a sacred ritual symbolizing their covenant with God.

What percentage of the US is circumcised?

Male circumcision is the removal of the prepuce [1]. It is one of the most common procedures performed in the world and makes up over 10% of pediatric urology cases [2]. An estimated 58.3% of male newborns and 80.5% of males aged 14-59 years in the United States are circumcised [3,4].

Does circumcision reduce pleasure?

Conclusion: The highest-quality studies suggest that medical male circumcision has no adverse effect on sexual function, sensitivity, sexual sensation, or satisfaction.

Why do Indians don't get circumcised?

In most Indian communities, the major determinant of male circumcision is religion: Muslims practice male circumcision for cultural reasons, while the predominantly Hindu population does not. For this reason, male circumcision is often considered a marker of religious identity.

Are Chinese men circumcised?

However, in China, MC is not a common practice; less than 5% males are circumcised and many of these procedures were carried to alleviate medical complaints such as tight foreskin [12].

Why do Catholics not circumcise?

Roman Catholic Church. Historically, the Roman Catholic Church denounced religious circumcision for its members in the Cantate Domino, written during the 11th Council of Florence in 1442, warning of loss of salvation for converts who observe it.

Why don t Europeans circumcise?

European countries consider newborn circumcision an unnecessary surgical procedure which increases the costs of operating nationalised health systems, whereas in the US, circumcision is generally considered a simple, rapid operation with medical benefits which accrue throughout life.

Do Catholic males get circumcised?

Catholic theology since the Second Vatican Council has increasingly emphasized that God's covenant with the Jewish people remains valid. It has never been revoked. This covenant includes infant male circumcision.

How do men feel after circumcision?

Some before and after studies of men circumcised as adults have reported decreased penile sensitivity [27,31], while others have reported no change in penile sensitivity and satisfaction [32]. One before and after study found an increased ejaculatory latency time after circumcision, which was deemed an advantage [30].