Introduction
Circumcision is the process of removing the foreskin, which covers the penis. The only portion that is being removed is the glans or the head of the penis which is covered by such foreskin. There are various reasons as to why circumcision is being done on males. On the other hand, people are having different views when it comes to circumcision in relation to their ethical, legal, and medical beliefs. The purpose of this essay to discuss the different issues surrounding circumcision, including the underlying sex-related, practical health and even the evolutionary reason, which could explain as to why different groups of population may or may not be in favor of circumcision. Although circumcision holds legal, ethical, and medical concerns, it should be practiced once the involved male is already capable of making self-decisions and not to inflict the painful process in new born children in order to protect their legal and medical rights.
Medical and Human Rights issues of circumcision
In the United States, health care professionals as well as many parents are facing either ethical or medical dilemmas when it comes to making decisions about circumcision. They are being challenged as to whether or not they respect of a new born male’s body’s natural integrity (Milos & Macris, 2011). This because; many people in English-speaking countries have adopted the norms that new born males must be circumcised in order to prevent masturbation, to which is also being backed up by medical reasons in order to justify this norm. The medical reason behind this percept is that the foreskin in penis must be removed, so as to prevent any potential diseases at an early stage.
Nevertheless, this practice denies the existence of physical pain, interruption of bond between the parent and her baby, and the risk and impacts of having permanently altered genitalia. In addition, Milos and Macris (2011) said that new born males are losing their rights to have functional and sexually intact bodies, and even the possible violation of their rights in terms of individual religious freedom. The human rights issue within the context of circumcision is a broad aspect that divides the people’s belief about what does circumcision truly aims.
The evolutionary beginning of circumcision goes back to 19th century, when circumcision is believed to be a puberty rite or a religious rite for health reasons (Milos & Macris, 2011). The etiology of diseases during this period is mostly unknown and believed that different diseases were due to masturbation. Therefore, the practice of circumcision evolved in order to prevent males from committing masturbation during their puberty stage. In fact, it was believed that circumcision previously believed as a cure for epilepsy, alcoholism, hernia, asthma, headaches, and spine-related illnesses.
Furthermore, the medical explanation behind the practice of circumcision states that the glans that is covered by foreskin can be easily irritated due to bacteria build up coming from feces and urine. Therefore, circumcision protects the glans from possible infections that lead to ulcer and meatitis. However, these medical explanations behind concept of circumcision are not the main concern of other people.
The right of the child when it comes to circumcision is a sensitive issue that calls for the evaluation of old and current practice of many countries around the world. According to Jacqueline Smith (2011), this issue is hardly discussed in many parts of the world. To set an example, Netherlands is one of the countries that rarely argue about male circumcision. What the government worries more is the hygiene and safety of the circumcision process. In contrast, there was an intensive debate about female genital mutilation that happened between year 1992 and 1993. In fact, this issue about girls’ mutilation, or the counterpart of male circumcision, was the discussion that leads to the development of the study that was carried out by the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (Smith, 2011). However, mutilation for girls has occurred very rarely during these days.
The circumcision among males is more prevalent compared with the female counterpart. That is why; it is being discussed more in different parts of the world especially when it comes to human rights and medical issues associated with this practice. There were numerous rights that were raised in terms of the legal discussion about the phenomenon in male circumcision.
In general, the discussions talk about the rights of the child as well as the right to health, to which both ethical and legal arguments, to which medical professionals play essential roles when it comes to physical integrity, rights of parents to raise their child according to their cultures and traditions, and even the rights to cultural self-determination (Smith, 2011).
Ethical issues of circumcision
Male circumcision in infants is viewed therapeutic by its proponents. However, based upon the description of the term “therapeutic” by the Australian Supreme Court, circumcision is a non-therapeutic procedure (Price, 2012). Still, both ethical and legal position of circumcision is not understood. Circumcision, as mentioned, is a complex issue that entails different factors as to why it has been debated in many parts of the world. Mothers are demanding it, while doctors are gaining profit from it, but new born children cannot complain about circumcision. This is the reality, which creates ethical question behind the context of circumcision. Despite the non-existence of the new born children’s choice when it comes to circumcision, it is estimated that one million circumcisions that cost $200 per session, provides $200 million extra profit for doctors in the United States (Price, 2012). This major financial advantage is a continuous neonatal practice that increases the ethical issues in this activity.
One of the major ethical questions encompassing circumcision is that whether the new born child, the parents, or the society has the right to make decisions in terms of the child’s genital alteration. A lawyer within the common law tradition will state that the ethical and legal principles that non-therapeutic circumcision must be judged are not complex. If adult people would choose to decide based on their own free will in terms of circumcision, mutilation, and any other genital alteration, then there will be no questions asked. However, if such practice will be inflicted to a new born child, then, there are both ethical and legal issues that must be addressed.
Although circumcision is an issue of the child’s human rights and an issue of ethical practice within the society, these issues remain as one of the global concerns that are not being prioritized. This could some of the reasons as to why there are still many people who are against circumcision.
Why people are against circumcision, while others are not
Based upon their belief, people have divided views when it comes to circumcision. They have their own reasons as to whether or not they should be in favor of circumcision. There are several reasons that some people are against it. Many people believe that there is no reason for routine circumcision of new born children (intactamerica.org). In fact, none of the medical associations around the world recommend such practice. Additionally, opponents of circumcision believe that the foreskin in male’s penis is not a birth defect, which therefore removes the idea that it should be removed as it is part of the original body structure of a person.
When it comes to girl mutilation, it is not a general practice especially in the first world countries, such as the United States. In fact, girls our protected by both state and federal laws when it comes to forced genital surgery (intactamerica.org). This is regardless of the person’s cultural background, parents’ preference, and regardless of medical setting. No one wants to experience the pain of circumcision. That is why; opponents of this practice would choose not to inflict such experience to new born babies.
On the other hand, there are still many people who believe that circumcision is needed more than just a mere ritual, cultural, or religious practice. Marie Stopes (2015) said that circumcision does not provide any effects on male’s sexual drive functioning. Thus, many people believe that circumcision will prevent infection and possible spread of virus. Based on the proponents of circumcision, uncircumcised penis builds up moisture that can be trapped between the foreskin and the penis, which serves an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply (Stopes, 2015). Parents who understand this presumption would tend to get their child be circumcised, regardless if he is a new born or at the age of pre-puberty period. It is the importance of hygiene that prevents possible diseases that influence their views in favor of circumcision.
Nurse’s role when it comes to ethical dilemma involving circumcision is an important factor to provide education and adequate decision making. For instance, a mother who contemplates between declining and getting a circumcision for her new born child can be assisted by nurse practitioner in terms of providing options and their potential impacts. Nursing practitioners must emphasize the impacts that circumcision may provide to their child along with understanding the person’s cultural and religious belief.
The ethical dilemma encompassing the circumcision issue can be addressed through nursing intervention. Furthermore, the nursing profession is viewed as an important factor in advocating positive holistic care especially for the new born males. Nurses must be able to influence the society in terms of raising the awareness about the essence of protected rights of new born babies and contribute to the development of regulations that will address the underlying issues of circumcision.
Conclusion
The issues surrounding circumcision divide the people’s decision and perception about this practice. Whether or not a person is in favor of circumcision, the important thing to consider is that circumcision must be a choice of an individual and not a religious, cultural or medical practice that one must undergo, regardless if its ethical and legal aspect.
References
IntactAmerica. (n.d.). Ten Reasons Not to Circumcise | Intact America. Retrieved from http://www.intactamerica.org/resources/decision
Milos, M. F., & Macris, D. (2011). Circumcision: A Medical or a Human Rights Issue? Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, 37(2), 87-96.
Price, C. (2012). Male Non-Therapeutic Circumcision. Kluer Academic, 425-454.
Smith, J. (2011). Male Circumcision and the Rights of the Child. Netherlands Institute of Human Rights.
Stopes, M. (2015, March 19). Advantages of circumcisions: 7 reasons to get circumcised. Retrieved from http://www.mariestopes.org.za/advantages-of-circumcisions-7-reasons-to-get-circumcised/
