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→Hygiene reasons
With the [[foreskin]], circumcision removes approximately 70% of the sensitive tissue of the [[penis]], lowering the potential for sexual stimulation accordingly. Due to the loss of around 50% of the entire penile skin, the [[penis]] loses the reserve skin that provides cutaneous mobility in the erect [[penis]] and the [[gliding action]].
In the past, this circumstance was used to make it harder for boys to masturbateand masturbation less fun, as masturbation was viewed as immoral and was assumed to cause a variety of diseases. More on that can be found in the chapter "[[Circumcision#Historical_background|Historical background]]". Today, it is known that masturbation has no negative health effects, but can contribute positively to the child's sexual development. Sexuality is no longer a taboo nowadays, while masturbation is considered to be a natural part of human sexuality and is no longer seen as immoral. Therefore, circumcision for moral reasons - which would only affect boys too young to give informed consent - is no longer justifiable nowadays.
=== Hygiene reasons ===
In western industrial nations, however, this problem does not exist, in view of the availability of clean water for daily personal hygiene. If the cleaning of the genitals is performed on a daily basis - and that may be assumed - no pathogens can accumulate under the [[foreskin]]. Cleaning of the [[Glans penis|glans]] and the area underneath the [[foreskin]] is easy - they are simply washed along with the rest of the body, just like the areas between the toes.
In small boys, where the [[foreskin]] cannot be retracted yet, cleaning is not necessary, since the [[Synechia| membrane ]] that fuses the [[foreskin]] to the [[Glans penis|glans]] prevents the accumulation of micro-organisms. The so-called "ballooning", where the [[foreskin]] inflates during urination, is not a serious problem.
The opening of the [[foreskin]] in small boys is often quite narrow and serves as a one-way valve, allowing the urine to flow out, but preventing entry of microbes, for example from a dirty diaper. As long as the child is able to pass water, everything works as nature intended.
The benefit of easier cleaning must be balanced against the risk of promoting serious infections - among others HIV - during the operation. In parts of Africa, several dozen of one tribe's boys die each year as a result of their circumcision.
=== Prophylactic reasons ===