The Ethical And Religious Aspects Of Circumcision

Circumcision is when the skin that surrounds the tip of the penis is removed. It is a very common surgery in the United States. It is usually done in newborns, but can also be done in older men. Families choose to do circumcision because of personal hygiene, faith, tradition etc. While other families see it as unnecessary.

The most common risks associated with neonatal circumcision include loss of penile sensation, bleeding, infection, unsatisfactory cosmesis because of excess skin, skin bridges, and urinary retention. Most complications are minor and studies show that there is a 0.2% to 0.6% complication rate. (WHO, 2009) More drawbacks of circumcision can include different elements that effect sexual function. The removed foreskin is erogenous tissue that contains a number of nerve endings that can contribute to the sexual response of the penis. When retracted, the foreskin provides loose skin on the shaft of the penis, which facilitates sexual intercourse. Also, the foreskin is a protector of the sensitive glans that can lose sensitivity from constant exposure

Per WebMD “Male circumcision is a surgery to remove the foreskin, a fold of skin that covers and

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).

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

Genitals have an important purpose to the human body. Such a procedure is highly controversial since doctors are unsure what affect the removal would have on the body’s biochemistry” (Dr.Simoni). This is important because it explains that without genitals he could have serious complications. Secondly, doctors have never done this procedure so he would be a “ Guinea pig”. “This would be a brand new procedure and if something happens or there are complications, we don’t have any idea how to address them” (Dr. Simoni). This is important because if something was to go wrong during or after the surgery the doctors wouldn’t know how to deal with it and he could be left with serious issues. Therefore, Vinny Ohh should rethink the

The foreskin is full of nerve endings. When you cut this off, you are reducing your son's sensitivity by up to 40%! This is a choice he should make on his own, if he decides he wants it as an adult.

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about female genital circumcision and why it is practiced.

According to The Columbia Encyclopedia (2012), circumcision is a surgical procedure for removing the foreskin that covers the head (also known as glans) of the penis. Circumcision is practiced widely in the Middle East and other parts of the world with Jewish and Muslim populations. The practice is a part of Jewish religious practices while it is a traditional practice among the Muslims. Circumcision has also been common in the United States although it has declined considerably in recent decades. Circumcision is administered to infant boys while this is not mandatory in the cultures where it is practiced. Local anesthesia

On the issue of male circumcision Hanna Rosin presents arguments that support the procedure while Michael Idov argues against the act. Rosin begins her argument by describing her own experiences when her sons were circumcised and the anger she felt when hearing them howl in pain. However, she follows this up with an acknowledgment that the feeling quickly dissipated once her sons were completely healed. Rosin then goes on to describe many of the benefits of circumcision, focusing in on the health aspect. Specifically, her argument hinges on studies that correlate a higher rate of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to men that are uncircumcised. Michael Idov also utilizes the health angle to support his argument and even

Table 4 summarizes the CRIES score associated with and duration of each circumcision technique. Both groups were observed to have the same CRIES score. However, Mogen clamp was found to be significantly faster than Gomco.

On the contrary, it is known to be harmful to girls and women in many ways. First and foremost, it is painful and traumatic. The removal of or damage to healthy, normal genital tissue interferes with the natural functioning of the body and causes several immediate long-term health consequences. For example, babies born to women who have undergone female genital mutilation suffer a higher rate of neonatal death compared with babies born to women who have not undergone the procedure.

As stated earlier, circumcision remains to be one of the most commonly completed procedures around the world. The surgery is usually carried out in infancy after informing the parents of the procedure, any possible health complications, and various statistics regarding the benefits. Shortly after, newborn children are secured to an operating table and local anesthetic is applied to the genitalia. Then, the surgeon uses one of three common techniques to remove the foreskin and “recreate” the aesthetics of the head of the penis. This procedure doesn’t necessarily take place in the sanitary environment of an operating room, as the procedure is often done

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

In certain societies and culture, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a rite of passage and the young girls are aware of the procedure (Nawal, 2008, pp. 135-139). Furthermore, the societies and cultures who partake in this procedure as a rite of passage, religious reasons, so the girls will not be promiscuous before they get married, so the men’s penis does not fall off, and men in certain societies would prefer their wife to be circumcised (Mascia-Lees 2010, pp. 159). Even though certain societies and cultures have their reasoning for performing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), FGM can cause medical, psychological, and pyscho-sexual consequences (Reyners, 2004, pp. 242-251). According to Reyners (2004) most of the girls and women who had Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) type three conducted, they tend to experience heavily affected reproductive and urological functioning. Furthermore, according to Reyners (2004) also recommended if any woman is pregnant and has had any form of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) done, they should be monitored for their safety as well as the infants.