Child circumcision: Difference between revisions

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The circumcision of newborn boys is seen as a [[Abrahamic covenant| divine commandment]] in the [[Judaism| Jewish faith]]. Though absent in the Koran, male circumcision is considered a religious requirement in [[Islam]], and it is performed on male children of varying ages. Converts to these faiths may also choose to undergo [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]], but it is not always required.

=== [[Medical indication]] ===

=== Medical indication ===

There are no medical indications for circumcision of the newborn.

There are no [[medical indication| medical indications]] for circumcision of the newborn.

The form of circumcision adopted by the medical community essentially was equivalent to the Jewish form with ''[[periah]]'', so it inflicted the maximum injury.

In a few cases, circumcision is legitimately indicated; a patient may be suffering recurring infections, and other methods of treatment have failed. In other cases, a patient may be suffering from a severe case of [[phimosis]]. Overall, the actual medical necessity for circumcision is extremely rare. All circumcisions injure the patient by amputating the [[foreskin]] its with many protective, immunological, sensory, and sexual [[Foreskin#Physiological_functions| functions]].

In a few cases with older patients, circumcision is legitimately indicated; a patient may be suffering recurring infections, and other methods of treatment have failed. In other cases, a patient may be suffering from a severe case of [[phimosis]]. Overall, the actual medical necessity for circumcision is extremely rare since many conditions respond to conservative treatment. All circumcisions injure the patient by amputating the [[foreskin]] its with many protective, immunological, sensory, and sexual [[Foreskin#Physiological_functions| functions]].

# '''Deformed or malformed foreskin'''. A foreskin so deformed or malformed that it does not function properly may be removed by circumcision.

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}}</ref>

Initially, circumcision was adopted in the 19th century as a way to stop boys and men from masturbating, ~~where~~ [[masturbation]] was ~~seen as~~ the cause for many diseases. As the myth that circumcision prevented masturbation became debunked, advocates of circumcision began the great search to find the "medical benefits" of circumcision.

Initially, circumcision was adopted in the 19th century as a way to stop boys and men from masturbating, when [[masturbation]] was claimed to be the cause for many diseases. As the myth that circumcision prevented masturbation became debunked, advocates of circumcision began the great search to find the "medical benefits" of circumcision.

Male and female circumcision involves the removal and disruption of normal anatomical structures that are primary areas of sexual sensation.<ref name="taylor1996"/> In the past, some advocates of mass circumcision have considered the [[prepuce]] to be a "mistake of nature," but this notion has no validity because the prepuce is ubiquitous in primates and because it provides functional advantages.<ref name="cold-mcgrath1995">{{REFbook

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|note=

}}</ref>

All claims that circumcision prevents future disease are false. They are made to enable a physician to perform circumcision and collect a fee.

===Search for prophylactic reasons===

@@ Line 164: / Line 164: @@
 The circumcision of newborn boys is seen as a [[Abrahamic covenant| divine commandment]] in the [[Judaism| Jewish faith]]. Though absent in the Koran, male circumcision is considered a religious requirement in [[Islam]], and it is performed on male children of varying ages. Converts to these faiths may also choose to undergo [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]], but it is not always required.
-=== [[Medical indication]] ===
+=== Medical indication ===
-There are no medical indications for circumcision of the newborn.
+There are no [[medical indication| medical indications]] for circumcision of the newborn.
 The form of circumcision adopted by the medical community essentially was equivalent to the Jewish form with ''[[periah]]'', so it inflicted the maximum injury.
-In a few cases, circumcision is legitimately indicated; a patient may be suffering recurring infections, and other methods of treatment have failed. In other cases, a patient may be suffering from a severe case of [[phimosis]]. Overall, the actual medical necessity for circumcision is extremely rare. All circumcisions injure the patient by amputating the [[foreskin]] its with many protective, immunological, sensory, and sexual [[Foreskin#Physiological_functions| functions]].
+In a few cases  with older patients, circumcision is legitimately indicated; a patient may be suffering recurring infections, and other methods of treatment have failed. In other cases, a patient may be suffering from a severe case of [[phimosis]]. Overall, the actual medical necessity for circumcision is extremely rare since many conditions respond to conservative treatment. All circumcisions injure the patient by amputating the [[foreskin]] its with many protective, immunological, sensory, and sexual [[Foreskin#Physiological_functions| functions]].
 # '''Deformed or malformed foreskin'''. A foreskin so deformed or malformed that it does not function properly may be removed by circumcision.
@@ Line 194: / Line 194: @@
 }}</ref>
-Initially, circumcision was adopted in the 19th century as a way to stop boys and men from masturbating, where [[masturbation]] was seen as the cause for many diseases. As the myth that circumcision prevented masturbation became debunked, advocates of circumcision began the great search to find the "medical benefits" of circumcision.
+Initially, circumcision was adopted in the 19th century as a way to stop boys and men from masturbating, when [[masturbation]] was claimed to be the cause for many diseases. As the myth that circumcision prevented masturbation became debunked, advocates of circumcision began the great search to find the "medical benefits" of circumcision.
 Male and female circumcision involves the removal and disruption of normal anatomical structures that are primary areas of sexual sensation.<ref name="taylor1996"/> In the past, some advocates of mass circumcision have considered the [[prepuce]] to be a "mistake of nature,"<!--{{Cold and Wiswell (1995)}} | [[Template:Cold and Wiswell (1995)|see more]]--> but this notion has no validity because the prepuce is ubiquitous in primates and because it provides functional advantages.<ref name="cold-mcgrath1995">{{REFbook
@@ Line 220: / Line 220: @@
   |note=
 }}</ref>
+All claims that circumcision prevents future disease are false. They are made to enable a physician to perform circumcision and collect a fee.
 ===Search for prophylactic reasons===