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Cutting Away the Truth
A view on one of the very first parenting decisions -- circumcision.
By Peter Mackey
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"Circumcision" is a frightening word for most males, who would prefer to keep sharp objects away from their "special parts". But it is an issue that needs to be confronted, and we have to look at both sides to do so. There are certainly benefits in having a circumcision performed on an infant, but do these benefits make up for possible negatives? Many of these benefits are, in fact, contrary to what a lot of "circumcisionists" claim.
For instance, the claim of hygiene benefits. Without a foreskin, cleansing of the penis is much easier, which lessens the risk of infections and/or cancer. However, this hygiene benefit is not extremely beneficial. Some scientists have shown that the smegma that would naturally accumulate under the foreskin is not necessarily a health risk at all. Smegma is common to all mammals, and does not appear to cause problems in animals other than humans. It is, therefore, logical to assume that the problems in humans are nonexistent. Even if these hygiene benefits are real, the same hygiene benefits can be reached by retracting the foreskin and lightly cleaning with soap and water, once a child is able to do this on his own (never forcibly retract your child's foreskin for cleansing, as this can be extremely damaging and painful). Most responsible parents should agree that they'd rather have a child capable of cleansing himself than one who has to rely on a bodily modification to stay clean.
It has also been stated that circumcised males have a lesser chance of contracting cancerous tumors of the penis. Indeed, the research that originally allowed this assumption did show that circumcised males had fewer incidents of penile cancer than did non-circumcised males. However, this research has been heavily criticized, as it did not factor several important variables into the study. For instance, the researchers failed to include such things as hygiene, prolific unprotected sex, and cigarette smoking.
The only two benefits that seem to be true are the most beneficial. In studies of African men, circumcised males were 60% less likely to receive HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) from female partners. This is an important benefit, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. There, HIV has reached epidemic proportions, with 23.68-28.8 million people living with HIV. However, circumcision is no replacement for sexual education. We cannot rely on circumcision to reduce the HIV crisis, which has become a global problem. In any case, there are far more reliable and more effective means of controlling the spread of HIV than through circumcision.
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There have been several studies showing that human males with circumcised penes have a lessened risk of contracting HPV (human papilloma virus). While most strains of genital HPV are not a health risk, several strands have the potential to cause genital warts, or even cancer. Even this is challenged, however, as one study found no statistical difference in terms of HPV infection rates in circumcised and non-circumcised males (although they did note a higher degree of complications in uncircumcised males).
Beyond the possible health benefits, it is important to examine the moral and ethical issues of circumcision. Should we, based on scant evidence of benefits, truly decide to body modify our children? This is a complex issue. On one side, there are various religious denominations that hold circumcision to be mandatory. Religious diversity and culture are important parts of humanity, and it would be wrong to try to change the religious belief in circumcision. However, this does not change the actual orientation of the act itself.
In some places, female circumcision was, and is, still practiced as a religious and/or cultural norm. We have recognized that female circumcision (or, more aptly, female genital mutilation) is an immoral act. This is for reasons that do not exist for male circumcision. Female circumcision can cause the female to lose all pleasure involved in sexual activity, and can even cause depression or other psychological disorders. There is little evidence for such things occurring post-circumcision in males.
We can still examine the issue for moral or ethical inconsistencies using an anecdote. Imagine, for a moment, that in your country a new religious group arises which commonly practices the removal of both pinky toes from the feet of their infants shortly after birth. There are no detectable problems associated with this "toe circumcision". In fact, later in life, it is shown to have a few benefits. Soon, this process of toe circumcision becomes a common undertaking in hospitals after a baby's birth. Well over 60% of all babies are now toe circumcised shortly after birth, most out of purely cultural issues.
Stepping back into reality, can you honestly imagine this actually happening? First, it is unlikely because people generally fear novelty that they have no insight into, such as new religious movements. Secondly, people might fear the act itself.
But why could this not happen? The removal of pinky toes actually has no effect on gait or any other noticeable detriment. It has no benefits either, but if it did, why would toe circumcision not grow in popularity? The simple answer is because it is not already popular.
Circumcision was already a common thing in America before it rose to high levels it is today. There had been some minor evidence for the beneficial aspects of circumcision, and doctors recommended this process to new parents. Because doctors were widely trusted, most parents went along with the suggestion of the doctor, leading to the growth in popularity of circumcision.
Now that circumcision has been shown to be so widely non-beneficial, why does it continue as a common practice, especially in the U.S.A.? Merely because people don't know any better. Fathers had it done to them, and rather than accept new evidence that it really doesn't help (and can harm, in some cases), they continue the chain for little reason. Misplaced optimism and hope that what they did to their child was a good thing leads to parents ignoring evidence. The finality of the situation, of the act, leads to bias. No one wants to believe that they made a mistake, especially one that cannot be remedied.
In light of this, why should you circumcise your child? There is no real reason, beyond its popularity. And why should popularity dictate how you raise your child? Since when has mass opinion truly been an indication of what is right? If you are circumcised, why not break the chain with your child? If you are not circumcised, why circumcise your child to begin with? Humans are an irrational species. It is our struggle for reason and logic that makes us special. Let us struggle for reason and logic in the area of circumcision.
For further information, see these books, research papers, and web-resources:
- Leonard B. Glick. Marked in Your Flesh: Circumcision from Ancient Judea to Modern America. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Rosemary Romberg. Circumcision: The Painful Dilemma. South Hadley, MA Bergan & Garvey, 1985.
- Gerald N. Weiss M.D. and Andrea W Harter. Circumcision: Frankly Speaking. Wiser Publications, 1998.
- Robert Darby. A surgical temptation: The demonization of the foreskin and the rise of circumcision in Britain. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005.
- Paul M. Fleiss, M.D. and Frederick Hodges, D. Phil. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Circumcision. New York: Warner Books, 2002.
- http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/malecircumcision2003
- http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13585.html
- http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/babies/Circumcision.htm
- http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/FN/fn96-01.htm
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| Peter Mackey is an aspiring novelist/writer living in the far north of Canada. |
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