Why are some penises circumcised?

Answer 1

Some boys are circumcised for religious reasons. For example, circumcision is practiced in Judaism and certain sects of Islam. Most other religions such as 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 and pleasure during sexual activity. No major medical association recommends routine infant circumcision, and most doctors advise against it because of the medical risks of complications following circumcision Since doctors no longer recommend routine infant circumcision, 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.

Answer 2

"Removal of a healthy body part without medical indication has been viewed as being a violation of the Hippocratic oath, falling under the United Nations' definition of genital mutilation. As such circumcision is seen as being against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration on the Rights of the Child." - Canadian Medical Assocaition Journal, Volume 152, Number 11, Pages 1873-1876,

June 1, 1995.

Answer 3

Aside from religious and cultural reasons there are no medically recognized reasons for this form of mutilation.