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Home › Articles › Newborn and Infant Months › Making the Cut

Making the Cut

Rethinking Circumcision

By Laura Shanley

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As a child growing up in a Jewish family, I always assumed my future sons would be circumcised. It was a tradition, my parents explained, and research proved it was medically beneficial.

Years later, however, when I gazed upon my newborn son's beautifully-formed body, I knew I could no more cut off a part of his penis than I could a part of his ear or toe. In time, I would learn I was not alone in my belief that little boys are perfect just the way they are.

How It Began
Many people believe circumcision originated with the Jews; however, anthropological evidence suggests it began thousands of years ago as part of ancient tribal initiation ceremonies. The cutting of the penis was seen as a symbolic act that bonded the individual to the tribe. Eventually the practice was adopted by both Arabs and Jews and converted into an act of religious faith.

Non-religious circumcision began in the mid-1800s. Doctors in English-speaking countries claimed circumcision would prevent masturbation, which at that time was thought to cause a multitude of diseases including tuberculosis, insanity and epilepsy. Masturbation was also viewed as a morally degenerate act. By cutting the penis, doctors hoped to curb sexual appetites and encourage more "Godly" behavior.

In the early 1900s, it was obvious circumcision did not prevent masturbation, and proponents began taking a different approach. Using the Germ Theory of disease, cleanliness was now given as the primary reason to circumcise. The uncircumcised penis was said to be germ-laden and prone to disease. Because poor immigrants and African Americans either couldn't afford or didn't believe in circumcision, the circumcised penis became associated with wealth and affluence while the uncircumcised penis became associated with poverty and disease.


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