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Circumcision is the removal of some or all of the foreskin of the penis. The word comes from Latin circum (meaning around) and caedere (meaning to cut). The practice of circumcision is ancient and began prior to the advent of recorded human history. Depictions have been found in stone age cave drawings and Egyptian tombs. It is also widespread, and apparently arose independently in many parts of the world, as evidenced by its existence in many formerly isolated societies. Various theories have been advanced as to why it began and became so common. They include as a rite of passage to adulthood, as a form of ritual sacrifice or offering, as a sign of submission to a deity, as a mark of defeat or slavery, as an attempt to alter aesthetics or sexuality, and for medical reasons. Circumcision can clearly have important medical benefits. In particular, it can reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. This is because the warm, moist area of the penis under the foreskin provides a particularly good environment for the bacteria and viruses that cause such diseases. It can also prevent inflammation of the glans (the highly sensitive end of the penis, which is partially covered by the foreskin), which is much more common among males that have not been circumcised and may help reduce the incidence of cancer of the penis. Circumcision of males is a religious requirement of the Jewish and Muslim religions, and it commonly performed on the eighth day after birth. It is also practiced by the majority of Americans, most South Koreans (as a result of the U.S. influence following the Korean war) and Filipinos as well as by some aboriginal societies in Africa, the South Pacific and Australia. A major objection to circumcision is that it reduces the sensitivity of the glans and thus it could reduce sexual pleasure. Although sensitivity is clearly reduced, it is difficult to objectively measure the effect on sexual pleasure. Proponents of circumcision argue that the health benefits for both partners likely more than offset any reduction in pleasure. Created October 23, 2006. |