To Cut or Not to Cut Routine Infant Circumcision Essay

To Cut or Not to Cut Routine Infant Circumcision - Essay Example His birth itself makes him a Jewish or a Muslim; depending on the family he has taken birth into (Gollaher 24). However, in recent years, the ethics of an unnecessary surgical procedure which essentially disfigures normal male anatomy and may, in fact, create sexual problems down the road for an otherwise healthy male, has groups across the country lobbying to get the procedure outlawed (Fleiss et al 364). Even though a prominent group of pediatricians believes that the advantages of circumcision are more numbered than the risks involved, the American Academy of Pediatrics believes that the medical gains of circumcision are not up to that extent that the risks involved may be overlooked and it (circumcision) may be recommended (Somerville 20). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, â€Å"the topic cuts across many paradigms in your life – cultural, religious, ethnic, family tradition, aesthetic. We are not in a position to make recommendations on those paradigmsâ₠¬  (Freedman). Moreover, in countries like Canada a physician might land himself in legal problems if he/she undertakes the circumcision of a child even though it is with the consent of the child’s parents (Somerville 34). Some scholars believe that the reasons behind the circumcision practice are different than being religious. Like for example David Gollaher claims that male circumcision has its origins from the practice of castration done on male attendants of the ‘harems’ in order to keep them inoffensive and harmless. The main aim was to preserve the chastity of the female inmates of the ‘harem’. Gradually, the castration was transformed to circumcision and it became a practice which some people wrapped in a religious cover. Gollaher further claims that girls were circumcised in order to diminish their sexual urge on puberty. This again was done in order to keep their chastity intact. Due to this very reason, there still are areas where girl ci rcumcision is practiced as a custom (Gollaher 194). But Abusharaf does not agree with this view. According to him, such actions cannot guarantee chastity. It is the upbringing and the will power of the girl that will reflect in her actions (her chastity). Moreover, it is against the teachings of Christianity to harm or tyrannize one’s body in order to achieve certain virtues (Abusharaf 184). The parents’ decision regarding circumcision of their children should be regarded as final. Parents may consult their doctors for proper advice. They should properly understand the pros and cons of circumcision and only then should they decide about circumcision. As compared to the 1970s and 1980s, when the rate of circumcision was about 80 percent, by the year 2010, the rate had drastically fallen down to 55 percent. It is worth mentioning here that some studies have warned that such lower rates of circumcision might lead to elevated rates of sexually transmitted diseases. It is a stonishing to note the findings of the study that within the next 10 years or so, such infections might cost the exchequer of the United States health department billions of dollars (Freedman). Some people have opposed the practice of circumcision simply due to the reason that it mutilates an important male organ and decreases sexual sensation. Freedman strongly refutes such claims as being baseless and inadequately studied.There are certain common problems, even though of lesser importance, that may arise due