Circumcision

Female circumcision, genital cutting, and female genital mutilation all describe the same cultural practice, but each has its own connotation. When journalists attempt to inform readers upon this practice, there are personal assumptions and connotations that, if not addressed properly, perpetuate an ethnocentric point of view. In this paper, I compare and analyze two American newspaper articles: the daily Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune’s “Minnesota Somalis see chance to lead fight against female genital cutting” and the weekly Newsweek’s “Female Genital Mutilation on the Rise in the U.S.” In analyzing these articles, I apply Claudie Gosselin’s discussion on cultural relativism to the practice of female circumcision as mentioned in her article,…

PBH 200 Research Paper - Male Circumcision The focus of this course has been the understanding of different cultures, and through that, the comparing and contrasting of them all. Throughout these histories and teachings have been countless examples of practices and beliefs so unique to their respective cultures, that it feels almost absurd for people from other cultures to imagine. However, some practices transcend the cultures from which they originated, and in doing so have found a life of…

Studies that suggested circumcision as an additional HIV prevention method, explained their findings by pointing out some biological research. This research indicated that the keratinized outside of the foreskin protects the penis, however during intercourse when erections occur, the skin gets pulled back and therefore exposes the not keratinized inside skin of the foreskin, which is rich on Langerhans cells (Szabo 2000, p. 1593). This cell is known for being susceptible in acquiring HIV as well…

I. Circumcision The word circumcision is a medical term meaning to remove the foreskin of (a male). Circumcision is also the removal of part of the clitoris for (females). However, Circumcise first appears in the Old Testament in Genesis 17:11; God told Abram that he will be circumcised in the flesh as a way to show his covenant with the Lord. In the Old Testament circumcision was done with a sharp flint stone. It wasn’t just for the Israelites, but it also was for the foreigners and servants.…

Circumcision is a huge debate in the United States. Circumcision has been happening as early as 1914, but in the 1950s the number of babies getting circumcised jumped from about 50% to 90%. Circumcision can be performed for religious, cultural or medical reasons. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin covering the tip of the penis typically done in the newborn stage, circumcision after the newborn stage is still possible but is a more complex procedure. About 30% of the world is…

The Dangers of Female Circumcision When most people think of circumcision, they typically think of males; however, it is just as prevalent in females, who actually end up suffering from this event. Female circumcision is a very serious problem that most people appear to be completely ignorant of. It affects females in the majority of countries across the world, including the United States. Females are facing this horrific event in their lives not knowing just how bad the consequences will be;…

Circumcision is the most frequent surgical procedure performed on children that lessens the risk of UTIs. Circumcision is a procedure in which part of the prepuce is evacuated and results in a non-covered glans. “Uncircumcised boys have an overall 12-fold increased risk of urinary infection during their first 6 months compared with circumcised boys, in addition to a significantly higher probability of hospital admission for UTI (7.02 of 1,000) as compared with circumcised boys (McCue &…

Though found in females too, circumcision is commonly applied to males, where the definition can be known as the practice of removing the foreskin, also called the prepuce, from the glans (head) of the human male genitalia. Circumcision, precisely male infant circumcision, has been practiced around the world for centuries, some continuing today. It can be predominantly found as a religious obligation in Jewish communities and the Muslim world and as a cultural practice in the United States of…

Circumcision: The Thought Behind the Procedure The practice of circumcision is as old as 4000 years ago. It’s a surgical procedure that removes the forskin of the penis. It is most known for its spiritual and cultural meaning, however it also has some medical benefits. Many people vary on the views of this practice. As popular as it is in the United States to do days after birth, many religions, cultures and countries have their own way to carry out this practice. No matter which way the…

Circumcision, a well-known medical procedure, is the removal of a male’s foreskin on the penis or an elimination of all or part of the clitoris of a female. Being a highly controversial topic, circumcision is barely spoken about amongst communities. Although circumcision is performed on both males and females and in many countries, views on the topic vary and perceptions of right or wrong are constantly debated. As the topic is discussed, one popular topic that may come up is whether…