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Circumcision

Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin, which is the skin that covers the tip of the penis. In the United States, it is often done before a new baby leaves the hospital. There are medical benefits and risks to circumcision. Possible benefits include a lower risk of urinary tract infections, penile cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. The risks include pain and a low risk of bleeding or infection. These risks are higher for older babies, boys and men.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend routine circumcision. Parents need to decide what is best for their sons, based on their religious, cultural and personal preferences.

Circumcision on Wikipedia

'''Circumcision''' is the removal of some or all of the prepuce (foreskin). The frenulum is often excised at the same time, in a procedure called '''frenectomy'''. The word circumcision comes from Latin circum (meaning "around") and caedere (meaning "to cut"). Female circumcision is a term applied to a variety of procedures performed on the female genitalia, of which only one, the removal of the clitoral hood, is comparable to male circumcision. Except where specified, "circumcision" in this article should be taken as "male circumcision."


''An uncircumcised penis, a circumcised penis''

Reasons for circumcision

Circumcision is performed for religious, cultural, and medical reasons. Elective adult circumcision may also be chosen as a form of body modification, or for aesthetic or other reasons.

Religious and cultural circumcision

at a fair'''
Köçek troupe dancing at Sultan Ahmed III's 14-day celebration of his sons' circumcision in 1720. Miniature from the ''Surname-i Vehbi'', Topkapi Palace, Istanbul. Circumcision is a religious practice traditionally required by Judaism, usually performed in a ceremony called a Brit milah or Bris Milah (Hebrew language for "Covenant of circumcision"). The ceremony is to be performed on the eighth day after birth of the newborn boy unless health reasons force a delay. A trained professional, called a ''mohel'', performs the ceremony. See also: Circumcision in the Bible. According to nearly all Muslim religious leaders, circumcision is an important element of Islam. Although circumcision is not mentioned in the Qur'an, it is mentioned in some parts of the Hadith, a set of texts explaining ...   [ Read More ]


External Resources

Bright Lights Film Journal - John Greyson turns a playful eye on circumcision, copyright, and Pierre Trudeau

Male and Female Circumcision: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Practice - Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Sexual Mutilations: Plenum Publishers 1999.

Circumcision Net: Hebrew Names - Alphabetically arranged pages of Biblical and popular male Hebrew names in English transliteration, including diminutives, adapted forms and rarely used names. Origin and/or meaning provided. Approx. 400 given names.

The Electric Playground - Review by Neil Harris, 7/10. "Force Commander's take on the RTS genre offers many improvements, but using the interface is like trying to perform a circumcision with a light saber."

Neonatal Circumcision Reconsidered - Reports four cases of PTSD in adult males traumatized by circumcision.

Circumcision Information for Parents - Links to basic information for parents about circumcision, care of both the intact and circumcised penis, protection from wrongful circumcision and legal recourses.

CIRP: Circumcision Information and Resource Pages - Contains medical, legal, historical, ethical, religious and human rights references. Resources for parents and educators including anatomy, circumcision methods, and foreskin restortion.

Circumcision - Extensive alphabetical listing of circumcision related web pages. List contains title and source.

BabyCenter - Find out what circumcision involves, what the health benefits and risks are, and other things to consider when you're deciding whether to have it done.

Circumcision Web - Circumcision information web links from Gary Burlingame.



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