Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin and is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the world. “The first documentation of circumcision was found in an Egyptian tomb dating back to 2400 BC.” History in the U.S.: Circumcision first came forth in the United States due to fear of disease, disgust over masturbation, and a misconception about congenital phimosis. During WWI the military, believing that circumcision would make soldiers less likely to get venereal disease, forced thousands of men to have the procedure. As a result, many of these men, after becoming fathers to sons, had their sons circumcised so they would not have to go through the pain of circumcision as adults. By the start of WWII, circumcision …show more content…
The book by Dr. Benjamin Spock, Baby and Child Care helped with this rate increase by stating that “circumcision is a very good idea, particularly if the other boys in the neighborhood were also cut.” In the 1980’s that statement was recanted and he stated that “being intact was just fine” and that “parents should leave baby boy’s penises alone.” The American Academy of Pediatrics came out against routine circumcision in beginning in 1971. Circumcision rates have gone down about 5 …show more content…
have said they would get circumcised to reduce their risk of contracting HIV • Genital hygiene is easier – the foreskin is not fully retractable until somewhere between 1-3 years of age • Prevents balanitis, paraphimosis, and phimosis The CONs: • Could be seen as disfigurement • Could cause pain even with medications to reduce pain • Few immediate health benefits • Could have complications such as infection, bleeding, foreskin being cut too short or too long, and poor healing • Though extremely rare, it could cause severe complications such as injury to the penis, sepsis, or even death • Possible reduced sensation and sexual pleasure References: https://www.parents.com/baby/care/bath/facts-and-feelings-about-circumcision/ http://www.center4research.org/circumcision-health-benefits-risks/ https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/neonatal-circumcision.html