penis paper
Chris Scholtens
Prof. Fisher
RHT101-018
April 15, 2009
Don’t Clip the Tip
Nothing strikes fear into any man then something injuring their groin. Then why has a practice such as circumcision been going on for so long? Baby boys who aren’t able to defend them selves have to under go an operation that is banned for baby girls. There is serious harm done to infants when the foreskin is removed, so why do it? The infants can’t give consent to something that they can’t comprehend and evaluate the outcomes of their decision.
As stated by Robert Van Howe “Circumcision is the amputation of the prepuce from the rest of the penis, resulting in permanent alteration of the anatomy, histology and function of the penis [1, 2] (63)”. This alters what was given to them; before they can even talk they are shaped to look the best among us. People don’t realize that the foreskin has a purpose. Mainly it is used to increase sexual pleasure, protection from the environment, and the simple act of avoiding circumcision prevents death.
Bodily harm goes against most religions but circumcision is accepted. How could changing ones penis be allowed into religious activities? “Circumcision began in the United States in the late 1800's largely because some doctors thought that it prevented masturbation, which at the time was thought to be harmful” (FAQ). Reasons have changed once other reasons have been proven wrong, but the operation still happens.
The harm that is done to the infant is catastrophic, some cases result in death. By cutting the foreskin the sensitive skin off of the penis you turn an internal organ into an external organ. The loss of the foreskin results in permanent damage. The sensitive tip of the penis is inured to its new environment.
Other damage that could be done to a person who has been circumcised. Some studies have shown that men who had been circumcised, display anger, distrust with grief. Men have also showed the same effects as victims of rape. Intimate problem have also arisen in male who underwent the operation, along with “feeling of personal powerless” (FAQ).
Some may say that this would violate the religious views of Judaism, where the boy is to be circumcised. Many Jews are turning away from Judaism because of the circumcision. There is also an alternative ceremony to Brit Milah, replacing it with the Shalom. There are even alternatives to Muslims. The violent act of circumcision goes against their non-violent views.
A very simple answer to this problem is to establish a law that bans the practice, unless the man who is undergoing the operation knows the risks that he is going to take. This would put an end to male genital mutilation of young infants and made into a out patient practice. This allows the man to choose on his own free will what would be permanently done to his body.
With the law in effect there would be any deaths from circumcision. Men would have more intimate relationships, while displaying more favorable emotions. They would be able to make informed decions on what they wanted to do to their body. There wouldn’t be some sexism in the laws. And even song were written on the decion to under go the operation, like it should be. “I like being wrapped with warmness more than anything else for sure” this is one of my favorite parts of beck’s slip out.
Works Cited
Buso, David L., and Ortrun Meissner. South African Medical Journal. May 2007. 15 Apr. 2009 <http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/viewFile/743/231>.
"Circumcision: Male - Effects Upon Human Sexuality." Circumcision Information and Resource Pages. 15 Apr. 2009 <http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/milos-macris2/>.
FAQ." MGMbill.org. A Bill to End Male Genital Mutilation in the U.S. 17 Apr. 2009 .
"Female Genital Cutting." Womenshealth.gov -- 1-800-994-9662. 15 Apr. 2009 < <http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/female-genital-cutting.cfm>.
Hawker, David. "The Benefits of Male Circumcision." International Circumcision Information Reference Centre (ICIRC). GILGAL SOCIETY. 15 Apr. 2009 <http://www.circinfo.com/benefits/bmc.html>.
Van Howe, Robert S. ARC - Attorneys for the Rights of the Child. 1999. 15 Apr. 2009 <http://www.arclaw.org/documents/bju.pdf>.