With the recent emergence of legal entities like capacity and
informed consent, there has hardly been a debate more politicised and
topical than circumcision in young males.
There is wide variation in legal regulations across the states of the
European Union, some of them deemed to be extreme making it completely
illegal (Finland) and others more traditional often leaving this decision
to the parents or guardians of the child. This legal diversity derives
from history, traditions and culture but is deeply embedded in the minds
of a heterogeneous multi-cultural society.
Should we or should we not perform male circumcision at an early age?
There is undoubtedly arguments for both sides.
There has been growing medical evidence that this simple procedure
confers some kind of protection against sexually transmitted infections,
namely the HIV. We must keep in mind that AIDS and its related conditions
are sweeping across the African continent depriving local society of its
young working force. This leaves behind an often palpable vacuum which
threatens society itself.
What about informed consent and the right to make our own decisions?
Should the decision of such a procedure be left with the concerned when he
reaches an age when he can make his own decisions? There is a strongly
growing argument in this direction too and if we consider public health
concerns only, this decision can probably be left with the child when he
reaches adolescence.
The fear and shame that non-circumcised adolescent boys go through in countries were circumcision is common practice are psychological aspects worth remembering. Often tradition and the satisfaction to look like everyone else overtake the psychological stress accompanying a minor surgical procedure that raises so much debate...
Rapid Response:
Male cricumcision: should we or should we not?
With the recent emergence of legal entities like capacity and informed consent, there has hardly been a debate more politicised and topical than circumcision in young males.
There is wide variation in legal regulations across the states of the European Union, some of them deemed to be extreme making it completely illegal (Finland) and others more traditional often leaving this decision to the parents or guardians of the child. This legal diversity derives from history, traditions and culture but is deeply embedded in the minds of a heterogeneous multi-cultural society.
Should we or should we not perform male circumcision at an early age?
There is undoubtedly arguments for both sides.
There has been growing medical evidence that this simple procedure confers some kind of protection against sexually transmitted infections, namely the HIV. We must keep in mind that AIDS and its related conditions are sweeping across the African continent depriving local society of its young working force. This leaves behind an often palpable vacuum which threatens society itself.
What about informed consent and the right to make our own decisions? Should the decision of such a procedure be left with the concerned when he reaches an age when he can make his own decisions? There is a strongly growing argument in this direction too and if we consider public health concerns only, this decision can probably be left with the child when he reaches adolescence.
The fear and shame that non-circumcised adolescent boys go through in countries were circumcision is common practice are psychological aspects worth remembering. Often tradition and the satisfaction to look like everyone else overtake the psychological stress accompanying a minor surgical procedure that raises so much debate...
Competing interests: None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests