0
Besides religious reasons what is the purpose of male circumcision?
KevinRSHD
Today no major medical association recommends the routine circumcision of infants. In the early 20th century circumcision was promoted as a way to help keep the penis clean; however this view is no longer supported by physicians. Most boys can not retract their foreskin until around age 3. This is normal. Once the boy can retract the foreskin he should wash the head of his penis just like any other part of the body like between the legs or behind the ears. All that is needed to keep the penis clean is to wash when taking a shower or bath. Circumcision was originally popularized in the United States in the 19th century as a method to keep young boys from masturbating. While circumcision does make it more difficult and less pleasurable to masturbate, it was not effective at getting boys to stop doing it. In the 21st century, campaigns have been in place to prevent routine female genital mutilation (also known as female circumcision) common in certain parts of Africa. This movement has identified human genital integrity as a human rights issue and has come to oppose human genital mutilation in both males and females. While western physicians are horrified by the routine removal of the labia in female circumcision in Africa, many continue to routinely practice circumcision on their infant male patients. In the United States in the 1970s and 1980s around 80% of male infants were circumcised. By 2007 the rate of circumcision in the United States was below 40%. In increasing numbers, both parents and physicians are deciding to avoid circumcision of their newborn infants.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoMedical
In very rare cases circumcision may be performed as treatment for some medical conditions, such as severe phimosis or chronic infections. Circumcision, like any surgery, has risks of adverse medical events including surgical error, severe pain, infection, and prolonged bleeding. There is a small chance that surgical complications may result in death, but this is very uncommon.
No major medical association recommends routine (without specific indication) circumcision.
Religious
Religious circumcision is most notably practiced by Jews. It is justified by the Torah (Old Testament) describing it as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham.
Muslims also widely practice circumcision. It is not mentioned in the Quran, but some sources state that Mohammed was born without a foreskin, which leads to some debate among Muslims on whether it is really required.
Most other religions including Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism do not require circumcision.
Cultural
Circumcision is a cultural practice in several areas of the world. Long standing traditions of circumcision are common to peoples of Africa and Middle East. Some African tribes, as well as some Islamic peoples, perform circumcision as a rite of passage marking a boy's transition to manhood. In case of Muslims the practice usually pre-dates the adoption of Islam.
In the West circumcision was popularized in the late 19th century as a method to keep young boys from masturbating. It was also claimed to cure or prevent a number of diseases, from bed-wetting to insanity. It was eventually proven to be ineffective for all of that, but by the time that happened the practice of routine infant circumcision became widespread in the United States. Often parents wanted to have their children circumcised because they have been circumcised themselves, or in order to "fit in" with their peers. Even more often, very little thought went into it and the reasoning went only as far as "everybody does it".
However, circumcision rates have been declining. Doctors no longer recommend routine infant circumcision, and as a result the rate of circumcision in the United States is falling. In the 1980s up to 80% of newborn males were circumcised. By 2007, less than 40% of newborn males were circumcised.
Cosmetic
Some people simply prefer the look of a penis without a foreskin. Some others like the feeling better. There is also an idea that a circumcised penis stays cleaner, although it is debatable just how hard it is to keep an area that size clean. These are all subjective views and a matter of personal opinion and taste, just as any voluntary body modification. In this sense, circumcision is cosmetic surgery, and having it performed on children raises some concerns, as outlined below.
History
Circumcision is a very old practice. There is evidence that it has been practiced in ancient Egypt, although it is not clear for what reason. There is a school of thought that proposes that circumcision initially became widespread in hot climates with limited access to water as a method of improving hygiene and preventing some diseases such as yeast infections. Religious authorities generally reject this opinion. Another school of thought suggests that the original reasoning behind the Egyptian practice of circumcision was to set one apart from the rest, which was then emulated by Jews as a status symbol. There is no conclusive evidence to prove or disprove these theories at this time.
Controversy
There are a number of groups opposing circumcision on medical, ethical, and sometimes religious grounds. Generally, they point out that circumcision other than to treat a specific condition has no proven medical benefit. They also state that the foreskin is an important part of the penis in that it protects the glans and is a major erogenous zone in its own right. Circumcision can decrease the sensitivity of the penis, which may impact sexual activity. most men are of the opinion that having a foreskin can make sexual intercourse a better experience for both the male and the female. There are particular concerns about infant circumcision with regard to pain and changes in the brain as a result of trauma.
Ethical concerns mostly apply to infant circumcision as well and revolve around performing elective surgery on someone unable to give consent. Opponents of circumcision view those circumcised infants as victims and consider circumcision to be genital mutilation.
Religious opposition states that the New Testament revises the need for the physical sign of the covenant. Some religions expressly forbid surgical body modification of any kind, and thus oppose circumcision.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThere are in fact no medical reasons for infant circumcision. circumcision to prevent penile cancer for example makes about as much sense as amputating the legs to prevent thrombosis in the blood vessels of the toes. penile cancer occurs in about 1 in 100.000 thousand very old men that are not being maintained under sanitary conditions. Circumcised men have a higher incidence of sexually transmitted diseases so that is not a reason for the removal of the of the prepuce. babys that are not circumcised have no more chance of urinary tract infections then those that are unless the foreskin is forcibly retracted by unknowing doctors. and in any case these infections are easily treated with medicine Rather then surgery.
Protect against infections of the urinary tract and the foreskin, prevent cancer, lower the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases, and prevent phimosis.
Phimosis is simply fixed by stretching the foreskin for which it is designed
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoHere are 3 reasons:
1. Not being circumcised at birth
2. Difficulty washing
3. Bad infections
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoG-d instructed Abraham to circumcise himself and the males in his family to indelibly etch G-d's covenant into their flesh.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Are most Afghan penises circumcised?
Yes, circumcision is a common practice in Afghanistan, with the majority of males being circumcised. It is often performed for cultural and religious reasons.
Why might a circumcision be carried out?
1 for religious reasons like the Jews and possibly the Muslims 2 For cutural reasons as in non religious procedures carried out particularly in the USA. 3 there is no medical reason other then in very rare instances.
Why is your peinis circumsize?
Circumcision today is based on religious reasons (Judaism and Islam) and medical reasons (like if you can't pull it back and clean). There are no other reasons to do it but only in the US is it done routinely for appearance.
Why is circumcision important?
The only "important" reason is the religious one but there aren't really any reason to circumcise unless it's for medical reasons.
Is Rowan Atkinson circumcised?
No, likely not since he is English. Circumcision of only widely performed for cosmetic and religious reasons in the US, and in the Middle East.
Isn't circumcision mandatory in all 5 branches of the US Military?
NO!!! In the US, the procedure is done mainly for customary or religious reasons. Very few actually has real medical reasons to have it done.
What is circumsisions?
Circumcise literally means to cut around. Generally speaking a circumcision is a removal of the foreskin of the penis. It is a relatively simple procedure that some people do it for health reasons and some people do it for religious reasons.
Why is circumcision a common practice?
It is not a common practice. less then 20% of the worlds males are circumcised and most of these for religious or cultural reason. circumcision for medical reasons was introduced under false premises in the English speaking cultures during the Victorian era and became very popular for a number of reasons however the practice of non religious circumcision is rapidly being abandoned in these country's with the USA being the slowest as they still have the strongest pro circumcision lob which has considerable influence in their major medical associations, however even there the practice is rapidly heading in the direction of world averages.
Why did the pilgrims decide to go on this voyage?
pilgrims are people who travel for religious purpose so they most likely are traveling for religious reasons
How is circumcision practiced in Judaism Christianity and Islam?
Jewish boys are circumcised (at 8 days old or later, if heath reasons require a delay) as a sign of the covenant between G-d and Jewish men. All major branches of Judaism require male circumcision. Jewish circumcision has nothing to do with cleanliness. Muslim men are circumcised for cleanliness reasons. Islam believes that an uncircumcised man can't be completely clean at all times. Christianity does not require circumcision, though some cultures routinely circumcise, often at age 13, such as Filipinos. Non religious circumcision is generally done for health reasons, though this is a highly debatable subject, and increasingly frowned upon. There is a small number of non-religious Jews that do not advocate circumcision, however this is contrary to Jewish practice. Furthermore, no such anti-circumcision movement exists among Muslims, except perhaps, among those who have left the faith.
Why do people get circumcisions?
There is no medical reason for circumcision, and no major medical association recommends routine circumcision. Circumcision, like any surgery, has risks of adverse medical events including surgical error, severe pain, infection, and prolonged bleeding. Some boys are circumcised for cultural or religious reasons. For example, circumcision is practiced by Jews and in some sects of Islam. Most other religions including Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism do not practice circumcision. While the vast majority of the world's men are uncircumcised, circumcision became a cultural practice in a few countries, for example the United States. Circumcision became popular in the late 19th century as a method to keep young boys from masturbating. Gradually, the practice of routine infant circumcision became widespread in the United States. However, circumcision rates have been declining in the United States for a number of reasons. Among them are that circumcision has no known medical benefit and that circumcision can decrease the sensitivity of the penis during sexual activity. Doctors no longer recommend routine infant circumcision, and as a result the rate of circumcision in the United States is falling. In the 1980s up to 80% of newborn males were circumcised. By 2007, less than 40% of newborn males were circumcised.
Are most Bangladeshi penises circumcised?
Yes, circumcision is a common practice among Muslim males in Bangladesh for cultural and religious reasons. It is estimated that the majority of Bangladeshi males are circumcised.
