What is the importance of circumcision?

Answer 1

It is not unless a man feels there is a religious reason for the mutilation of his penis there is absolutely no reason for this to be done to him. Les then 20% of the worlds men are circumcised and most of these for religious reasons.

Answer 2

The medical opinion against routine circumcision is held all throughout Europe, Canada, Latin America, and much of the world. Furthermore, its routine use is in decline almost everywhere that it is practiced, including the US. It is not that there is medical opinion against circumcision itself; that is like saying there is medical opinion "against" removal of the vermiform appendix. Removing an appendix for no reason is irresponsible. Where removal of the appendix is medically indicated, it is not only the correct treatment but it is absolutely necessary to preserve life. Circumcision is practiced throughout the world, but the practice of routine circumcision on infant boys, circumcision with utterly no medical justification, is not. In rare cases where it is needed and other non-surgical approaches have been exhausted, then it is the right thing to do. See below: Pathological phimosis is not a valid diagnosis indicating circumcision for newborn boys. Circumcision is practiced as a religious requirement among Jewish faithful.

In some cultures being uncircumcised can cause a person to be ridiculed and outcast, particularly where circumcision may be a sign of belonging. This justification is culture-based and not medical, and considered unreasonable by people from other cultures.

Many people continue the practice of routine circumcision because they want their sons to be like their fathers in that respect. Families must decide whether or not this justification outweighs any possible risks.

Routine circumcision is considered inappropriate in most European countries, and even illegal in some. In countries within the British Commonwealth such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada cirumcision is rare.

Circumcision was justified at one time as a means of erradicating masturbation; this is now know to be untrue.

Circumcision does have some advantages. It can correct pathological phimosis which is a very tight foreskin that is unable to retract. However, pathological phimosis is virtually never an appropriate justification for routine infant circumcision, since physiological (not pathological) phimosis occurs naturally in newborn males and can continue for several years. There is also further argument that states it reduces STDs. There is some evidence from several sources that this is true for some STDs and for other medical conditions of the penis and foreskin. But benefits are not very high compared with the general population of intact men. Also, the benefits accrue to males many years after infancy; one has to weigh the small future benefits against the risks and costs of circumcision, including penile mutilation, loss of function and even (very rare) death. Some males have to suffer penile amputation and gender re-assignment following a botched surgery that is not even necessary to begin with. That is a high price for a son to pay when he is not even given the choice. Very few physicians throughout the world seriously argue that the benefits of routine circumcision justify its use.

Hygiene is given as a justification in some cultures, and again cost/risk must be weighed against perceived benefits. Intact men know or can learn how to adequately cleanse the foreskin and penis.

Routine circumcision is wrong, and people who advocate it (apart from religious ritual) are more driven by tradition and common cultural practice than by medical evidence and clear thinking. It seems there would be little harm in allowing boys to mature and decide for themselves. The foreskin is a useful and functional part of the intact male body. There is also a reason why medical providers will not cover the cost of routine circumcision-- they understand that it is an unnecessary elective and cosmetic procedure. It is also typically performed without anesthesia. Apparently when the patient is completely helpless and unable to lodge a complaint, then pain is considered trivial. After all, it doesn't hurt the doctor, does it?

Answer 3

Unless you subscribe to the demands of a religion or culture, there is nothing important about circumcision The majority of the words men have intact genitals while the remaining 15% to 20% who are circumcised represent the majority of sexual dysfunction.

Answer 4

The foreskin is an important structure in human sexuality, and circumcision is a violation of a child's right to their own body.