What is circumsized for?

Answer 1

Circumcision (being circumcised) is part of Jewish tradition and religion. All male Jews are to be circumcised as a sign or symbol of their covonent (promise, commitment) to God. Also, it helps with health and cleanliness, as it prevents a bacterial infection from occuring. For more detaied information try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision .

Answer 2

The reason for circumcising is originally a religious one the majority of people that are circumcised are either Jews or Muslims The Jews see it as a religious obligation and with the Muslims it is a cultural practice that is also founded in their religion.

In English speaking country's or country's that were influenced by British medical culture and in some country's that were under the military control of said English speaking country's practice was introduced during the Victorian era it was suggested that it would stop boys from wanting to masturbate. it was claimed at the time that masturbation was responsible for more then a hundred different diseases ranging from syphilis to insanity.

today the practice is still marketed strongly in the USA by a medical fraternity that is making billions a year from it. not only in charging for the procedure to be done on infants. but also having an industry that comes with repairing resultant botch ups. But it is quite likely that the high price the tissue (prepuce) for skin production and the production of hormones used in the cosmetic industry might also have a lot to do with this procedure being advised to naive parents.

All reputable medical authority's including those in the USA will tell you that there is no health benefit to be had from circumcision. No medical insurance will pay for the procedure.

There is also a market for the amputated prepuce to medical and cosmetics companies where they are used to make skin for burns treatment and further cosmetics products.

There is no evidence the removal of the foreskin increases the risk of illness infection or reduces hygiene.