In all ancient and traditional societies, there have been certain events and rituals that people undergo at various stages of life from birth to death. These rites of passage are indicators of a person’s continually changing status—from birth to maturity and old age—within the community. One of the most ancient of these rites, circumcision, is still practiced. It involves cutting away all or part of the foreskin of the male sex organ, the penis. There is a related practice of cl*toridectomy, or female circumcision, which is usually performed for different reasons than male circumcision and consists of cutting away the whole or part of the external genitalia.
The origin of circumcision is unknown, but it was practiced quite widely among most ancient societies; and it is still required among most Muslims, Jews, Ethiopians, and some other peoples. Among ancient Egyptians, boys were circumcised between the ages of 6 and 12; girls were probably circumcised at the same age. At whatever age it is performed, the rite for males usually signifies the formal admission of the individual into the group or the achievement of a certain status, thus fixing social position, rights, and duties.
Circumcision became widely known in Western society through its use in Israel and in the religion of Judaism. For Jews it has signified the individual’s participation in the covenant between God and Abraham. Jewish male infants are traditionally circumcised on the eighth day after birth. In societies where the procedure is done at puberty, it signifies entrance into manhood and leaving childhood behind. (See also Abraham; Judaism, “The Covenant.”)
Medical circumcision of newborns for purposes of hygiene was once routine in many English-speaking countries, especially in the United States. The practice has declined, however, as standards of hygiene have risen. Many parents also hesitate to circumcise newborns because they believe it causes unnecessary pain. It has been determined that occasions when circumcision is medically necessary are rare. Studies indicating that uncircumcised men have a higher incidence of AIDS, syphilis, and other sexually transmitted diseases as well as higher rates of penile cancer have been criticized as being flawed or inconclusive.
As a seasoned expert in the field of anthropology and cultural practices, my extensive knowledge allows me to delve into the intricate details of rites of passage, particularly focusing on circumcision and related practices. My expertise spans various ancient and traditional societies, enabling me to provide a comprehensive analysis of the historical, cultural, and religious dimensions of these rituals.
The article touches upon several key concepts that I'll elaborate on:
Rites of Passage: These are events or rituals that mark significant transitions in an individual's life, symbolizing changes in status within a community. Rites of passage occur from birth to death, and they play a crucial role in shaping cultural identity and social roles.
Circumcision: This ancient practice involves the removal of the foreskin from the male sex organ, the penis. The article highlights the widespread nature of circumcision in ancient societies and its continued prevalence among certain religious groups, such as Muslims, Jews, Ethiopians, and others.
cl*toridectomy (Female Circumcision): A related practice mentioned in the article, cl*toridectomy involves the cutting away of the whole or part of the external genitalia in females. The article notes that this is usually performed for different reasons than male circumcision.
Historical Practices: The article briefly mentions that circumcision was practiced widely in ancient societies, such as among the ancient Egyptians, where boys were circumcised between the ages of 6 and 12. The ritual held significance in fixing social position, rights, and duties.
Circumcision in Judaism: The article provides insight into the significance of circumcision in Judaism. For Jews, it symbolizes an individual's participation in the covenant between God and Abraham. Jewish male infants are traditionally circumcised on the eighth day after birth, highlighting the religious and cultural importance of the practice.
Medical Circumcision: The article discusses the historical routine of medical circumcision of newborns for hygiene purposes in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States. It notes the decline in this practice due to improved hygiene standards and concerns about causing unnecessary pain to infants.
Controversies and Criticisms: The article mentions controversies surrounding circumcision, including the criticism of studies linking circumcision to lower risks of certain diseases. It notes that medical necessity for circumcision is rare and questions the reliability of studies suggesting health benefits.
By drawing on my expertise, I have provided a thorough overview of the concepts embedded in the article, offering a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and medical dimensions of circumcision and related practices.
The procedure slightly lowers risk of penile cancer, which is already a rare cancer in the U.S. It can prevent foreskin infections and phimosis, a condition where the foreskin cannot be pulled back. Circumcision can lead to a lower risk of some sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Opponents of circumcision also claim that the procedure desensitizes the penis and decreases sexual pleasure. That's because the foreskin, which makes up about half the skin of the penis, contains highly sensitive nerve endings.
In line with consistent studies and review results, circumcision appears to have no correlation to Intravagin*l ejacul*tory Latency Time which is a clinically approved marker to assess Premature ejacul*tion. This clearly puts away the prospect of considering Circumcision as a cure for Premature ejacul*tion.
Traditionally, the US medical establishment promoted male circumcision as a preventative measure for an array of pathologies including reduced risks of penile cancer, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and even cervical cancer in sexual partners.
Common complications of circumcision include hemorrhage (35%), wound infection (10%), meatitis (8-20%), and UTI (2%) respectively. Opening of the wound, insufficient removal of the foreskin, skin bridges and inclusion cysts, amputation of the glans penis, sepsis, phrenulum breve, and buried penis are rarely seen.
[9] And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. [10] This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
NMC can also remove the loose flap of skin that covers and protects the rounded top part of the penis that contains nerves, blood vessels, and a tiny part of muscle, which can lead to shorter penile length.
The fall in infant circumcisions is concomitant with demographic changes, most notably the increase in the proportion of Hispanic people (traditionally noncircumcising) in Western states but also the withdrawal of Medicaid coverage in 18 states. A risk-benefit analysis shows that benefits vastly exceed risks.
Circumcision, the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis, is the most commonly performed surgical procedure worldwide [1]. In the United States (US), it is estimated that up to 80% of men are circumcised [2].
For American Christians, circumcision is a matter of personal preference, not of faith, and is neither condoned nor condemned. The Catholic Church currently maintains a neutral position on the practice of cultural circumcision, as the church has a policy of inculturation.
Risks of circumcision surgery, although rare, include bleeding, infection and injury to the penis or urethra. The foreskin protects the tip of the penis. When the foreskin is removed, the tip may become irritated and cause the opening of the penis to become too small.
Is circumcision required? Generally, circumcision isn't medically necessary. Parents may decide to have their newborn males circumcised for social, cultural, or religious reasons.
Across the 32-year period from 1979 through 2010, the national rate of newborn circumcision declined 10% overall, from 64.5% to 58.3% (Table and Figure 1). During this time, the overall percentage of newborns circumcised during their birth hospitalization was highest in 1981 at 64.9%, and lowest in 2007 at 55.4%.
According to the CDC, circumcision also lowers the risk of a person with a penis getting herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) from vagin*l intercourse. Other research involving heterosexual couples suggests circumcision may protect people with a penis as well as their sexual partners from syphilis.
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