Elective Circumcision

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Thesis Statement1

Background Information1

Reduced Risk of STDs3

Decreased Instance of UTIs4

Decrease Risk of Penile Cancer5

Conclusion5

References6

Elective Circumcision

Introduction

Elective circumcisions for male infants are one of the oldest and most widely used surgical procedures, which is traditionally a sign of cultural identity or religious importance. With the development of surgery in the 19th century and the increased mobility of the population in the 20th century, this procedure was introduced in some cultures, circumcision is practiced for reasons of health or social reasons. Circumcision is an elective procedure. This means that parents should decide if they want to circumcise their son. This procedure is not required by law or the rules of the hospitals. According to current estimates, about 30% of all men in the world - which is about 670 million men - are circumcised. Of these, about 68% belong to the Islamic faith, less than 1% of the Jewish faith, and 13% - Americans who do not belong to Muslims and Jews.

Thesis Statement

Elective circumcisions benefit includes reduced risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Urinat Tract Infection (UTIs), and penile cancer.

Background Information

Circumcision is one of the most common surgical procedure for males in the United States (Vasquez & Rodriguez, 2009). In recent years, the spread of the practice of circumcision in men in the industrialized world was due to perceptions of improved hygiene and reduced risk of infection. Although, most men in the United States are circumcised, it is much less common in northern Europe and elsewhere. Because of the current male circumcision is effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection, it is necessary to ensure proper understanding of men and women that this procedure does not provide complete protection against HIV infection. Circumcision of men should be regarded simply as one element of a comprehensive package of HIV prevention, including correct and consistent use of male and female condoms, fewer sexual partners, delaying sexual activity and abstinence from penetrative sex. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS) are supporting the introduction or expansion of male circumcision programs for HIV prevention.  Therefore, the safe and effective introduction of male circumcision, assuming it was widely accepted and implemented, could be the best prevention strategy for adult men in high risk countries and in the process of development that can not afford to implement other strategies to prevent HIV, HPV and its associated diseases.

Some parents request this procedure for religious or cultural reasons. Muslims and Jews, for example, circumcise their newborn males since centuries (Vasquez & Rodriguez, 2009). Some parents opt for this procedure for reasons of hygiene. Smegma, a cheese-like discharge composed of dead cells, can accumulate under the foreskin of uncircumcised men. This can cause pain or infection. The male child can be taught to wash the penis to get rid of smegma as part of his daily bathroom routine. Some parents choose not to circumcise their children for fear of pain felt by the baby or the risks of ...