Persuasive Essay On Male Circumcision

Female genital mutilation (FGM) also known as female circumcision is a tradition passed down from generation to generation occurring all around the world affecting millions of women and young girls. FGM is controversial matter most prevalent in Africa (Ahanonu and Victor, 2014). To this day it’s estimated that about 28 African countries still practice this ritual including Nigeria (Ahanonu and Victor, 2014). In the past twenty years there has been a worldwide increased interest in FGM due to its multiplicity and lifelong effects. Some people believe FGM violates basic human rights where others believe this ritual is required to increase their chances of marriageability and that this practice is a transition from adolescents into adulthood

Thesis: Female Genital Circumcision is a cultural procedure that is performed on young girls for a variety of reasons. Members of this culture chose to continue these traditions because they believe they will gain sociological, health and marriage benefits for their daughters, ensuring these young girls a better future is mandatory.

Today, the surgery is normally performed as an out patent procedure, within the first week of a healthy birth. It is performed with or without local anesthesia (rarely with a general anesthesia with infants due to complications), by an OB/GYN, Urologist, Family Physician, or Pediatrician. There are multiple options on how to have the elective surgery performed and no matter which method is used it could take as little as 12 minutes or as much as 20 minutes. Generally, there is little discomfort after the first 24 hours and very little after care to be performed. One just keeps the area clean with water and monitors for any tell-tell signs of infection until the tip of the penis is healed. Most circumcised men never complain of a lack of sensation, residual pain, or hold memory of the

Although many western cultures denounce these practices as being barbaric and unfair these western cultures actually practice genital surgery on children. For example, many baby boys in the United States are circumcised at birth for both aesthetic reasons and for health concerns. Children born with both male and female genitalia are seen as medical emergencies and surgeries to correct this anomaly are done as soon as possible.

Routine baby boy circumcision is one of the most common surgical procedures done every year in the U.S.A. . There is assumed that circumcision has medical and health benefits for the baby thought out life such as, decreases risk of urinary tract infections, reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, protects against penile cancer and cervical cancer, prevents infection and phimosis, and also helps to keep the penis cleaner.

Both males and females can experience tissue damage, disfigurement, and sexual dysfunction after the procedure. According to Bossio, Pukall & Steele (2014), explains how after circumcision males experience effects like erectile dysfunction, loss of sensitivity due to foreskin being removed (2853). For instance , the negatives when adult males undergo the surgical procedure some don’t enjoy masturbation as much, or it the penis decreases the ability to orgasm, but this stems from adult men. On the other hand, studies show that male circumcision can have some medical benefits, and the leading factor for parents to have the procedure done to their sons. According to Stehr (2012), discloses how having the foreskin serves as a protective mechanism from calluses developing opposed to being circumcised (p.22) For example, the foreskin provide a cover for the head of the penis so it doesn’t undergo friction.

There is a 1-4% chance that something could go wrong due to circumcision. Pain and distress is common to infants undergoing the procedure, but safe and effective pain control is usually offered to all infants as swelling and bruising is common after the operation. If too much or too little foreskin is removed, it can present problems or scar tissue to develop. Buried penis can also occur from this problem which requires surgical treatment. Some men say the end of the penis becomes less sensitive when the foreskin is removed, however most circumcised males do not believe this is true. Even though the incidence of a serious complication from circumcision is extremely low, meningitis and septicemia may result in

Male circumcision has long been a debate with decisions based on cultural, ethnic, religious and social preference of the parent. There are both benefits and risks associated with the procedure of male circumcision. The procedure involves the removal of some or, the entire foreskin around the penis. Neonatal circumcision is rising among English speaking countries and it is known now that more than 80% of the male population has been circumcised. (CDC, 2006) This number is rising however; studies show that there is insufficient evidence to recommend neonatal circumcision as a routine decision. (AAP, 2006). Many debates of this procedure relate to the benefits versus the risk and medical costs that the procedure entails. This paper

Circumcision is a procedure where the foreskin of the male penis is removed, most commonly in newborns. Some studies have found there are some potential benefits to having newborn males circumcised as laid out in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Circumcision Policy Statement released in 1999. A few potential benefits include the reduced risk of UTI, HIV and other STDs, and some penile cancers. In fact, more recently, the AAP has released a newer statement in 2012 saying these benefits now outweigh the risks and can justify access to the procedure should families choose to do so. However, there are many other studies that show the risks of having newborn males circumcised. These include reduced penile sensitivity, later in life erectile disfunction, unimaginable pain, and ethical issues. Due to this sensitive topic, parents of newborn males should be given correct and unbiased information about the risks and benefits of circumcising their child. A physician should never recommend the procedure, but instead provide only the facts.

Male circumcision is done by removing the foreskin around the head of the penis and is usually done 1-2 days after birth. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Male circumcision reduces the risk that a man will acquire HIV from an infected female partner, and also lowers the risk of other STDs, penile cancer, and infant urinary tract infection. For female partners, male circumcision reduces the risk of cervical cancer, genital ulceration, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and HPV. Although male circumcision has risks including pain, bleeding, and infection, more serious complications are rare”(1). Another risk includes, decrease in sensitivity. In other words, there are both benefits and risks to male circumcision. The cause of male circumcision is health benefits and religious reasons.

Darby (2015) discussed the harm versus the benefits of a neonatal circumcision. For centuries, it has been believed that the removal of the penis foreskin offer great medical and hygienic benefits while yielding minimal risks. However, little attention has been paid to these minimal risks. Darby (2015) discussed the risks of not being circumcise as well as the risks of being circumcised. Darby (2015) also discussed the religious and sociocultural beliefs associated with neonatal circumcision.. However, Darby (2016) stated that despite these reasons, some men grow up and resent their condition and would not have chosen circumcision for them.

Male circumcision is performed for either medical or religious purposes. There is a significant amount of controversy regarding to the benefits and complications of male circumcision, therefore, it is a common research topic in both pediatrics, urology, ethics, and public health. Many studies have found multiple benefits in circumcision and as of today, the World Health Organization finds circumcision as one of the preventive methods against HIV/AIDS infection and transmission in developing countries (WHO, 2014). However, circumcision is not totally safe procedure and several acute and chronic risks are expected.

It is believed that circumcision brings a lot of health benefit to human especially in health. Based on the research by the doctors and scientist, it is proven that this practice would help to reduce the risk of infection. This practice could also help to reduce the chance of contract disease especially that is connected to the reproductive organ.

What is female genital mutilation or circumcision? According to the World Health Organization, it comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. (WHO, 2014). It is recognized as violation of human rights for young girls and women. The procedure creates inequality between sexes and to the extreme it is discriminatory against women. There are four types of FMG. Type 1 is referred to as clitoridectomy – which is the partial or total removal of the clitoris. Type 2 is referred to as excision – which is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora. Type 3 is referred to as infibulation – which is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. Type 4 is referred to as other – like the others it alters the female genitalia without medical purpose like piercing, scraping, pricking and cauterizing. (WHO, 2014). The practice is believed to start in Egypt, but has also been documented by the ancient Romans. The Romans would perform the procedure on their slaves to prevent pregnancy. (N. Toubia, 1994).

Too, as a mother, I struggled much with the decision on whether to circumcise my son. Though I was well read on the matter, the idea of inflicting pain to this little wonder I had spent nine-months protecting appeared nearly counterproductive and in some dark spaces of my mind, plain cruel. However, my husband steady inflection of “this must be done” kept a fair amount of fear from overwhelming me. He certainly voiced more opinions on the subject than me, and personally, my argument was largely overlooked due to my lacking the appropriate appendage to relate. Looking back now, I find my concerns had more to do with medical implications of the procedure, while my husband’s foundations for circumcision spawned from values. Our text even boasts