Options for Sexual Health

November 21, 2009 | Coriana Constanda | Examiner.com

Despite its existence since the time of ancient Egypt—where it was used to mark a male's passage from childhood to adulthood—circumcision is still a contentious issue in North American culture today. Apparently, about 50% of men in the United States and Islamic countries are circumcised, and only a minority in Canada and Australia. Circumcision is even more rare in other parts of the world, including Europe, most of Asia, Central and South America, and sub-Saharan Africa (WikiAnswers).

The notion of removing the foreskin of the penis seems counter-intuitive. Why cut off a natural part of the male anatomy that most men are born with? Interestingly, the origin of the practice of circumcision is not clearly known. Some propose it began as religious sacrifice, a rite of passage, while other notions such as the suppression—to discourage masturbation—or enhancement of sexual pleasure have also been suggested. Others believe it was to aid with hygiene, to prevent infection or disease, for aesthetic purposes such as appearing more attractive to women, or even to designate members of lower or higher social status (Wikipedia). It's curious, then, that we've adopted and perpetuated such a practice without fully knowing where, how, and why it started. More commonly in North America, males are circumcised in their infancy, and not necessarily for religious or cultural reasons. 

In 2004, the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons in Vancouver issued a new policy statement that says circumcision can be carried out "only when it is in the best interests of the child," and that the procedure has "no medical or prophylactic values." It also states that "doctors must advise parents of the associated risks, including urinary tract infection, urinary retention, [narrowing of the urethral opening], and hemorrhage," as was the case that resulted in the death of a one-month-old from Pentiction, B.C. in 2002 (Canadian CRC).

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