The Debate on Infant Circumcision Essay

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

The topic of the infant male circumcision is a controversial subject in the United States. This procedure involves a non-reversible surgical procedure that removes the prepuce, commonly called the foreskin, thus exposing the glans of the penis (Blank, et al., 2012). Currently this is considered a cosmetic procedure per surgical standards, and is performed upon the request of the parents of the newborn. The decision to have a circumcision performed is usually based upon personal, cultural, and religious factors. However, the overall view of the impact of the procedure on the newborn infant varies in our country, and has led to two conflicting camps of ideology. The pro-circumcision movement focuses on the potential health benefits gained of a circumcision, and feels it is a necessary procedure. The anti-circumcision movement claims there are no health benefits and that the procedure violates the fundamental human rights of the infant (Collier, 2012). Following extensive research, I have found that there is evidence-based proof that circumcision improves the overall health of the male newborn, with prolonged health benefits into adulthood. Circumcisions provide the health benefits of decreased rates of urinary tract infections(UTIs), reduced transmission of sexually transmitted disease, prevention of phimosis, and improved penile hygiene (Blank, et al., 2012, Marx & Lawton, 2008, Morris, Bailis, & Wiswell, 2014).

subject to what she is told to do by her husband. That is, due to past

In the story written by Frances A. Althaus’s “Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage or Violation of Rights? She explores female circumcision within African Culture and the health complications after the ritual is completed. Female circumcision is the practice of partial or total removal of the female external vaginal area and is still practiced in several countries today , dut was ruled as illegal in America in 1997. Females did not have the option to chose if they wanted to have the procedure performed, mothers often made that decision for them. The practice is to transition a girl into womanhood and to ensure that virginity is not lost before marriage, prevention of infidelity and

Some anthropologists believe we should examine cultures that differ from ours with an objective eye; others don't. The colonists (Christian missionaries, especially) who did their best to eliminate all traces of Indigenous culture – though they focused on female circumcision – seemed to take a universal standpoint. Their views concurred with the ‘universal’ viewpoint – that girls should not be circumcised because of a perceived wrong. Because they didn't attempt to understand the culture they were trying to eliminate, they didn't realize that female circumcision wasn't merely about preparing young girls for marriage. It gave them more influence within their society. While it did separate them from men, it did so with reverence to their new responsibilities, and this would have included power over men in some

People in Asia or European countries are often shocked to hear that circumcision is a routine operation in the USA. People from these parts of the world (where 90% are uncircumcised) suffer no bad consequences as a result of keeping their foreskins intact.

Introduce your topic: For those who are not familiar with FGC, it is a cultural practice that has been around for thousands of years. As defined by the World Health Organization female genitalia circumcision comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

Description: Male circumcision is an old traditional practice where the foreskin of the penis is removed by surgical means. The practice also has religious significance in a number of communities. The practice is less common in the West because of a poor awareness of the medical benefits. Recent research has shown that male circumcision significantly lowers the risk of infections and sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS in particular. However, male circumcision surgeries are expensive because of limited support in public health care programs.Â

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

"Male circumcision consists of the surgical removal of some, or all, of the foreskin (or prepuce) from the

Female circumcision is based on gender oppression and degradation of women. It is the result of a patriarchal society trying to sexually control women. Women are stripped of their sexuality and their virginity is controlled until they are married. As in most patriarchal societies, marriage is essential to the economic survival of women. Therefore, in the minds of these people, the benefits gained from this operation for the girl and her family far outweigh any potential danger. They look forward to circumcision as a coming-of-age ritual, which is necessary to maintain health, virginity and family honor. Circumcised women are considered beautiful while uncircumcised women are considered ugly, unclean, and unfit for marriage. So when parents request a genital procedure for their daughter, they are only seeking to enhance their child's acceptance into their culture and assure her desirability as a wife.

Circumcision is a barbaric practice that has no medical purposes besides for appearance and what is more attractive to the opposite gender. Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin, it is a practice that got started because of religion. Circumcision is usually performed on the second day after the baby is born. During a circumcision, the foreskin is freed from the head of the penis, and the extra foreskin is removed. The foreskin is a normal part of a male child, it is not a birth defect or something that has to be removed for the safety of the child. Circumcision is painful to the baby boy, they do not give them medicine to numb the pain or put them to sleep. The baby is in so much pain from the removal of the foreskin they go into shock

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

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.

     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