What is circumcision? What are its benefits?

Question

What is Cicumcision? Is it necessary for all Males?

Answer 1

Circumcision removes the foreskin of the penis.

Although steeped in religious ritual, it honestly serves no real function today

Answer 2

Circumcision is the removal (complete or partial) of the male foreskin or the female clitoral hood (not to be confused with female genital mutilation, which is much more severe and devestating). See the first 2 link for general info and pictures (you've been warned).

It is a procedure that's received widespread controversy, and rightly so. It certainly isn't necessary for most males (at least biologically) as around 80% of the world's male population is uncircumcised and have few/no problems concerning it. It does appear to have some medical benefits, if done for the right reasons and in the right circumstances. But it also has risks that most people don't realize, and some of the complications are quite severe (see 3rd link).

Benefits are only realized if there is something medically wrong with the foreskin. Obviously, if the foreskin is causing problems then it should be dealt with, removed if necessary. This isn't common. Many of the supposed benefits of circumcision - lower STDs, lower HIV rates, better hygiene, etc - can be offset easily by proper hygiene and safe sex. When everything is accounted for, the benefits and risks pretty much cancel each other out.

Point stands, if it doesn't need to be done, there's no reason to do it. If it needs to be done for a medical reason, then it needs to be done. See the last link for some articles, it's a pretty anti-circumcision site though.

Answer 3

So, what's the big deal about circumcision? Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin — the retractable tube of skin that covers and protects the head (glans) of the penis. All healthy boys are born with a foreskin. In the U.S., if a boy is going to be circumcised, it's usually done at birth. Some guys are circumcised (cut), and some are uncircumcised (uncut).

In the United States today, about 60 percent of baby boys are circumcised, which means about 40 percent are not. However, in some European, Asian, and South American countries, it is much more common to be uncircumcised.

Structure vs. Function

Both cut and uncut penises work the same way; they just look a little different. It is important for a guy to wash his penis — circumcised or uncircumcised — and scrotum regularly with soap and water, just like he washes elsewhere on his body. A guy with an uncircumcised penis will also need to retract (pull back) and wash underneath his foreskin in order to prevent bacteria from building up under it. Depending on the guy and the size of his foreskin, it may be necessary for him to also retract his foreskin when he puts on a condom.

During sexual activity, for most men, the foreskin retracts itself when they have an erection. Other guys would rather their foreskin not be retracted during sex because the glans underneath may be too sensitive. Chris, an uncircumcised guy, says that the skin under his foreskin is so sensitive, he doesn't like to have sex with the skin retracted. That's why it's important for partners to talk about what feels comfortable.

Why or Why Not?

There are several reasons why a boy might be circumcised.

The tradition of circumcision in the U.S. began as a reaction to 19th century fears about masturbation. Health professionals urged parents to circumcise their baby boys to decrease their interest in masturbation, which was believed to cause mental, physical, and emotional illnesses.

The most common current reason for circumcision in the U.S. is that fathers want their sons to look like them. Sometimes there are also religious reasons. Some religions view circumcision as a rite of passage — a step toward becoming a man, or as mark of membership in a certain religion. Drew says he was cut because of religious reasons. He understands how important it was for both him and his parents that he is circumcised. Drew says that if he has a son some day, he'll probably circumcise him, too.

But religion isn't the only reason people circumcise their sons. In the U.S., boys and men of many faiths are circumcised. Some parents choose to circumcise their sons because it's a family tradition, it's more common, or for cosmetic reasons.

In the first half of the 20th century circumcision continued to be recommended by health care providers. They argued that it was easier to keep a circumcised penis clean if it was cut. Today, most medical professionals have backed away from the stance that boys should be routinely circumcised for hygienic reasons.

Why would parents choose to leave their son's foreskins uncut? Some people feel circumcision is a form of genital mutilation. Some feel that it is an unnecessary surgery. Other people feel that a circumcision leads to reduced sexual pleasure due to the removal of the nerves in the foreskin. Some men have surgery to replace their foreskins. Many parents think that the child is the one who should decide about circumcision. Mario's parents did not have him circumcised; instead, they gave him a choice as he got older.

Bottom Line

It's a known fact — bodies and penises come in different shapes and sizes. So, even if your penis looks different than other guys you know, remember, it's normal to be cut, and it's normal to be uncut! Either way, it's important to know your own body, and to take care of your penis!

Answer 4

There are no benefits. Circumcision is the unnecessary amputation of a healthy, functioning body part and thus fits the definition of mutilation. This practice is rare in most of the world; more than 85% of men have natural, uncut penises..

Answer 5

circumcision is the surgical amputation of the foreskin of the penis or the labia or clitoral hood of the vagina.it is not needed for most men and women and has negative side effects.only about 5% of all men and women will need to be circumcised for medical reasons.here are some links for more information.

Answer 6

circumcision is the forced amputation of the foreskin and the benefits are a healthy bank balance for the doctors who are performing this barbaric practice.Oh and NO it is NOT necessary.

Answer 7

if u are very particular with cleaniness with ur body,or that part...i suggest u to circumcise...as it will assure u with clean and healthy over that part...its bcos if ur not circumcised,after u pee,there will be some ammount of the urine stuck in the foreskin..therefore it may be side effects later...so with removing the foreskin which means circumcise,there will be no more urine stuck at that part...

Answer 8

It's not necessary; most guys in the world are uncircumcised (Europe, Asia, Latin America) and is mostly done by Muslims, Jews, and to a lower extent (rates are falling) America.

There was a similar thread like this already that I responded to.

Read this post:
http://forums.govteen.com/showpost.php?p=3069995&postcount=2

And I'll post what I posted in the other thread here:

I'm uncircumcised and in terms of hygiene, I've never had any problems with that. It only takes five seconds to slide it back and rub the head, which even feels good when you shower. Nothing grows under it. People should read more.

I provided a rebuttal to these "benefits" yesterday or on Saturday. I'll repost it here, hope it helps! People on here have the tendency to believe anything they here and don't research anything. One recent news story (I'm sure it's on Google News still) claims that male circumcision puts the woman at a higher risk to HIV.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/38002.html

Frankly, all the "benefits" of circumcision (such as being able to stop masturbation, stopping penile cancer, stopping wet dreams, etc) were all later proven false. In addition, in response to the HIV crap, the US is the only rich country that does this surgery, yet we have the highest HIV rate. Suspicious, no? Europe and Japan (which don't cut) and even parts of Latin America have lower HIV rates. Even with drug use / needle spreading HIV, our rate is multiple times more than that of say... Germany; really unacceptable. In addition, they also happen to do drugs and such.
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html

Unlike many Americans think, a foreskin is not necessarily dirty, and it does have benefits (like keeping the head moist (don't need lubricant most times) and keeping the head sensitive). In addition, cleaning shouldn't be a problem; you slide it back, rub the head (feels good by the way) and you're done in 5 or 10 seconds when you shower. That's how easy it is. In fact, on young children it doesn't even slide back because it's attached to the head so nothing will go into it; you don't have to worry about it. Many Americans think that having a foreskin is so demanding and tough!

In addition, circumcision does carry quite a bit of risks of complications and negative side effects. I've summarized them here:
http://forums.govteen.com/showpost.php?p=3069995&postcount=2

Here's how the foreskin works and its anatomy:
http://www.cirp.org/pages/anat/
http://www.twbookmark.com/books/70/0446678805/chapter_excerpt15690.html
In addition, circumcision isn't done as common as before. The national average is now about 50/50, and some states its as low as 14% (Nevada). A few decades ago it was almost universal to be cut. The same was true in Canada; their rate of circ is now 9% average nationwide. Not covered anymore.

US Statistics: (as you can see, many states and some insurance companies no longer cover it)
http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/staterates2004/

My preferred source of information is at:
http://www.cirp.org and http://www.circinfo.org

simply because they back up their claims; they're not sites claiming to say that there's 90% circ rates with nothing to back them up. =)

The other thing is that I'm a moderator at a teenage puberty sites and have met quite a few guys who are disappointed to be circumcised as newborns; they can't do anything about it. On the other hand, an unsatisfied uncut guy can just get snipped, and from some of our members who have had it done, it's not that bad (in terms of discomfort). In addition, there's almost no difference between an erect circ and uncut penis (the foreskin slides back when erect), and the foreskin slides up and down to stimulate the head.

Example:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ak0wHRfT7jidHOWMkWmgGM3axQt.?qid=20070311113743AAHVqVI

I wouldn't risk anything with my son. He's not a "thing" to be treated in such a way; it's his body. He can choose.

There's very very few reasons for circumcision. If it's phimosis, there's a cream that works about 95% of the time:
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1677-55382005000400012&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en

If it's an infection (girls get them too, but I've never had one) it can be treated to, and the guy simply has to wash when he showers (slide it back and rub) which takes like 5 seconds and feels good, since the head is sensitive. Doing that prevents smegma from forming (I've never had any since I started washing after puberty/masturbation)

People have a tendency of saying that they prefer something that they're used to, hence why many automatically assume circumcised is better (in America; since it isn't the case in Europe) but the statistics prove that many are questioning this procedure.
http://www.healthcentral.com/drdean/408/60750.html

And here's a link that doctor try to make you think that circ. is necessary:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/circumcision/protect-uncircson.html

People have selective hearing, in America, the only industrialized nation where newborns get cut (although as mentioned the rates are falling) so answers here may be pro-cut, since many don't research.
http://www.circumstitions.com/Maps.html

Answer 9

It is not necessary; it is an option.

Answer 10

No foreskin, no head-cheese to deal with. Foreskin = head-cheese.