The panel’s consensus, after an extensive literature review, is that the only medical justification for circumcision is to treat boys or men with penile abnormalities. The foreskin is a vital, functional part of the male genital anatomy—is not a birth defect—and, if there is not a strong, valid, and immediate medical reason for removing it, for ethical, sexual, and psychological reasons, it should not be circumcised, but remain intact. The owner of the penis should decide how it looks and works, when he is old enough to do so.
Parents having a boy need to discuss circumcision before his birth if either of them is considering it. When a maternity ward physician or nurse asks if you want your son circumcised it is too late to thoroughly research or discuss the topic. Some people have difficulty saying “No” to doctors, and might later regret their decision. Plus, parents don’t know how their son will feel about being circumcised. Taking time to carefully consider what happens during a circumcision and learn what the complications are is important since the surgery is optional and the results are permanent.
Circumcision is an American anomaly. Worldwide, 20 out of every 1,000 infants are circumcised and 18 of those are in the United States alone. Ironically, you can skip making the circumcision decision altogether—which is what the other 980 parents do—and your child will be happy and healthy. The US circumcision rate is currently 56% and dropping every year.
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