What is circumcision?
Circumcision is the surgical amputation of the foreskin of the penis.
What is foreskin?
The foreskin is a double-sided tube of skin enriched with sexually sensitive nerves and muscle that covers and protects
the glans (head) of the penis and can be retracted by the time puberty is reached. An adult male’s average foreskin is
about 15 square inches in size or roughly the same size as a 3 x 5 index card.
Foreskin functions
The foreskin is a healthy and natural part of male anatomy. It protects the glans (head) of the penis keeping the urinary
track sterile. The foreskin plays an important part during sexual intimacy, because it acts as a natural lubricant through
its unique gliding or "rolling" motion. This unique rolling motion provides women improved sensation and comfort while
preventing vaginal dryness and chafing.
The foreskin is the most sexually sensitive and pleasurable part of the penis, especially near the tip of the foreskin
called the “ridged band”. It’s the loss of this highly erogenous tissue that cause many men circumcised as adults to
report a significant loss of sensitivity and regret after having it done.
Disputed benefits
The potential and often disputed benefits offered for circumcision by proponents today include a slight decrease in
urinary tract infections for babies less than one year of age, a potentially decreased risk of contracting sexually
transmitted viruses during adulthood, and a reduced incidence of penile cancer (a disease that occurs mainly in
older men). The American Medical Association, in a 1999 position paper, made the following statement regarding these
potential benefits:
Urinary Tract Infection
Despite a slight increase in uncircumcised infants, the absolute incidence of UTI is small in this
population (0.4%-1%). Approximately 100 to 200 circumcisions would need to be performed to prevent
one UTI. The incidence of UTI would have to be substantially higher in uncircumcised males to justify
circumcision as a preventive measure against this condition.
HIV and STDs
Behavioral factors are far more important risk factors for acquisition of HIV and other sexually
transmissible diseases than circumcision status, and circumcision cannot be responsibly viewed as
“protecting” against such infections.
Penile Cancer
Penile cancer is a rare disease in the United States (0.9 to 1 per 100,000). Among uncircumcised men
the incidence is estimated to be 2.2 per 100,000. Nevertheless, because this disease is rare and
occurs later in life, the use of circumcision as a preventive practice is not justified.
Circumcision Rates
Circumcision peaked in the 1970’s with a rate of 90% but has been steadily decreasing to a rate of 50-60% as of 2001.
The United States is the only nation in the world that continues to routinely circumcise newborn boys for non-religious
reasons, while the vast majority of men (85%) throughout the world remain intact (not circumcised).
To date no national medical group in the world recommends routine circumcision and as a result, the
percentage of newborn boys in America that are circumcised continues to decline.
* American Medical Association (AMA)
Does not recommend circumcision, and classifies the procedure as "non-therapeutic".
* The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
States doctors should not influence parents to choose circumcision.
* The AAP first adopted this policy in 1971 with a position statement on circumcision declaring that “There
are no valid medical indications for circumcision in the neonatal period.”
* In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), after an exhaustive review of more than 40 years of
research data on the potential benefits of circumcision, issued a policy statement concluding, that the
"potential medical benefits" of newborn male circumcision are insufficient to recommend routine infant
circumcision.
Medical groups that do not recommend routine circumcision:
American Medical Association
American Academy of Family Physicians
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Canadian Pediatric Society
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan
Australian College of Pediatrics
Australian Medical Association
British Medical Association
Royal Australisian College of Physicians
As rates continue to decline so does the list of states that are willing to pay for this unnecessary genital surgery at
taxpayer’s expense. Those states in which Medicaid no longer funds the procedure include Arizona, California, Florida,
Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Maine, Idaho and the
list continues to grow.
Complications
Contrary to popular belief baby boys do feel intense pain during the circumcision procedure, and continue to suffer for
several days afterwards. Because of this the AAP states that it is essential that pain relief be provided.
As with any surgery, complications can and do occur. Complications of circumcision can include damage to the penile
shaft, damage to the urethra, unsightly appearance, Pyronies (bending to one side), and even hemorrhage and death.
Circumcision also has profound sexual implications for both men and women that medical science is only beginning to
understand.
Hygiene
Some people believe that removing a baby boy's foreskin will make it easier to keep the child clean. In reality, hygiene is
more complicated for parents of circumcised infants because of the need to avoid infection in the wound site and
prevent the remaining skin from adhering to the raw area during the healing process. The foreskin of an intact baby is
naturally fused to the head of the penis, much as a fingernail adheres to the finger and gradually separates as part of
the normal child development. Therefore the foreskin of an infant or child should never be forcibly retracted by parents
or medical professionals. To avoid problems, the boy himself should be the first person to retract his foreskin.
The notion of removing healthy and functional tissue "to prevent future health problems" is illogical. No one would
suggest that we routinely remove every baby's appendix or breasts despite the fact that appendicitis can be fatal and
breasts are often found to have cancerous tissue.
Looks
The poorest argument for routine circumcision is the one that maintains that the child should be surgically altered so as
to look like "other boys" or his father. Why shouldn't our children be exposed to differences in people? After all, human
beings come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Should conformity really be an issue in making a sensitive
medical decision? How alike do genitals have to be, anyway? If a boy does ask why his penis is different from his
father's, it's simple to explain: "Dad had an operation when he was a baby to have his foreskin removed. At the time,
people believed this was a good idea. Now, we know that this kind of operation isn't really necessary, so it was not done
to you."
Despite what most people think boys are rarely made fun of at school. The fear of being ridiculed by other students for
looking at another boy’s penis or being labeled as gay prevents this from happening, not to mention that as
circumcision rates continue to decline the circumcised boys will soon be the minority in the locker room.
Religion
It is important to consider that the religious beliefs of the parents may not necessarily be the same as the beliefs of the
child once he becomes an adult. It is also important to note that circumcision is not required by Christianity. The
following passages in the new Testament firmly states that circumcision has no spiritual value and should no longer be
practiced: Acts 15:1-31, I Corinthians 7:18-20, Galatians 6:15, and Colossians 3:11. Galatians 5:6 is very clear on the
matter and reads “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that
counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Those of the Jewish faith can find more information about the Jewish practice of circumcision at www.jewishcircumcision.
org
Circumcision is the surgical amputation of the foreskin of the penis.
What is foreskin?
The foreskin is a double-sided tube of skin enriched with sexually sensitive nerves and muscle that covers and protects
the glans (head) of the penis and can be retracted by the time puberty is reached. An adult male’s average foreskin is
about 15 square inches in size or roughly the same size as a 3 x 5 index card.
Foreskin functions
The foreskin is a healthy and natural part of male anatomy. It protects the glans (head) of the penis keeping the urinary
track sterile. The foreskin plays an important part during sexual intimacy, because it acts as a natural lubricant through
its unique gliding or "rolling" motion. This unique rolling motion provides women improved sensation and comfort while
preventing vaginal dryness and chafing.
The foreskin is the most sexually sensitive and pleasurable part of the penis, especially near the tip of the foreskin
called the “ridged band”. It’s the loss of this highly erogenous tissue that cause many men circumcised as adults to
report a significant loss of sensitivity and regret after having it done.
Disputed benefits
The potential and often disputed benefits offered for circumcision by proponents today include a slight decrease in
urinary tract infections for babies less than one year of age, a potentially decreased risk of contracting sexually
transmitted viruses during adulthood, and a reduced incidence of penile cancer (a disease that occurs mainly in
older men). The American Medical Association, in a 1999 position paper, made the following statement regarding these
potential benefits:
Urinary Tract Infection
Despite a slight increase in uncircumcised infants, the absolute incidence of UTI is small in this
population (0.4%-1%). Approximately 100 to 200 circumcisions would need to be performed to prevent
one UTI. The incidence of UTI would have to be substantially higher in uncircumcised males to justify
circumcision as a preventive measure against this condition.
HIV and STDs
Behavioral factors are far more important risk factors for acquisition of HIV and other sexually
transmissible diseases than circumcision status, and circumcision cannot be responsibly viewed as
“protecting” against such infections.
Penile Cancer
Penile cancer is a rare disease in the United States (0.9 to 1 per 100,000). Among uncircumcised men
the incidence is estimated to be 2.2 per 100,000. Nevertheless, because this disease is rare and
occurs later in life, the use of circumcision as a preventive practice is not justified.
Circumcision Rates
Circumcision peaked in the 1970’s with a rate of 90% but has been steadily decreasing to a rate of 50-60% as of 2001.
The United States is the only nation in the world that continues to routinely circumcise newborn boys for non-religious
reasons, while the vast majority of men (85%) throughout the world remain intact (not circumcised).
To date no national medical group in the world recommends routine circumcision and as a result, the
percentage of newborn boys in America that are circumcised continues to decline.
* American Medical Association (AMA)
Does not recommend circumcision, and classifies the procedure as "non-therapeutic".
* The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
States doctors should not influence parents to choose circumcision.
* The AAP first adopted this policy in 1971 with a position statement on circumcision declaring that “There
are no valid medical indications for circumcision in the neonatal period.”
* In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), after an exhaustive review of more than 40 years of
research data on the potential benefits of circumcision, issued a policy statement concluding, that the
"potential medical benefits" of newborn male circumcision are insufficient to recommend routine infant
circumcision.
Medical groups that do not recommend routine circumcision:
American Medical Association
American Academy of Family Physicians
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Canadian Pediatric Society
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan
Australian College of Pediatrics
Australian Medical Association
British Medical Association
Royal Australisian College of Physicians
As rates continue to decline so does the list of states that are willing to pay for this unnecessary genital surgery at
taxpayer’s expense. Those states in which Medicaid no longer funds the procedure include Arizona, California, Florida,
Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Maine, Idaho and the
list continues to grow.
Complications
Contrary to popular belief baby boys do feel intense pain during the circumcision procedure, and continue to suffer for
several days afterwards. Because of this the AAP states that it is essential that pain relief be provided.
As with any surgery, complications can and do occur. Complications of circumcision can include damage to the penile
shaft, damage to the urethra, unsightly appearance, Pyronies (bending to one side), and even hemorrhage and death.
Circumcision also has profound sexual implications for both men and women that medical science is only beginning to
understand.
Hygiene
Some people believe that removing a baby boy's foreskin will make it easier to keep the child clean. In reality, hygiene is
more complicated for parents of circumcised infants because of the need to avoid infection in the wound site and
prevent the remaining skin from adhering to the raw area during the healing process. The foreskin of an intact baby is
naturally fused to the head of the penis, much as a fingernail adheres to the finger and gradually separates as part of
the normal child development. Therefore the foreskin of an infant or child should never be forcibly retracted by parents
or medical professionals. To avoid problems, the boy himself should be the first person to retract his foreskin.
The notion of removing healthy and functional tissue "to prevent future health problems" is illogical. No one would
suggest that we routinely remove every baby's appendix or breasts despite the fact that appendicitis can be fatal and
breasts are often found to have cancerous tissue.
Looks
The poorest argument for routine circumcision is the one that maintains that the child should be surgically altered so as
to look like "other boys" or his father. Why shouldn't our children be exposed to differences in people? After all, human
beings come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Should conformity really be an issue in making a sensitive
medical decision? How alike do genitals have to be, anyway? If a boy does ask why his penis is different from his
father's, it's simple to explain: "Dad had an operation when he was a baby to have his foreskin removed. At the time,
people believed this was a good idea. Now, we know that this kind of operation isn't really necessary, so it was not done
to you."
Despite what most people think boys are rarely made fun of at school. The fear of being ridiculed by other students for
looking at another boy’s penis or being labeled as gay prevents this from happening, not to mention that as
circumcision rates continue to decline the circumcised boys will soon be the minority in the locker room.
Religion
It is important to consider that the religious beliefs of the parents may not necessarily be the same as the beliefs of the
child once he becomes an adult. It is also important to note that circumcision is not required by Christianity. The
following passages in the new Testament firmly states that circumcision has no spiritual value and should no longer be
practiced: Acts 15:1-31, I Corinthians 7:18-20, Galatians 6:15, and Colossians 3:11. Galatians 5:6 is very clear on the
matter and reads “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that
counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Those of the Jewish faith can find more information about the Jewish practice of circumcision at www.jewishcircumcision.
org
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