Circumcision

Circumcision is the removal of some or all of the foreskin (prepuce). The frenulum may also be removed at the same time, in a procedure called frenectomy. The word circumcision comes from Latin circum (meaning "around") and caedere (meaning "to cut"). Female circumcision is a term applied to a variety of procedures performed on the female genitalia. Except where specified, "circumcision" in this article should be taken as "male circumcision". Some opponents of this practice use the term male genital mutilation (MGM).

Consent

The issue of consent is of particular relevance to circumcision because it is often done to infants, who are unable to consent to this, or indeed any other, medical procedure. The decision, therefore, must fall to the child's caregiver(s).

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Debate also focuses on what limits, if any, should be placed on a caregiver's ability to make a decision for a boy about a painful (and, some argue, mutilating) procedure with disputed immediate medical value that may be unwanted later in life. Some question the apparent inconsistency in allowing male circumcision but in prohibiting female genital cutting http://www.fgmnetwork.org/intro/mgmfgm.html. Some suggest that circumcision may cause emotional scarring later in life, and claim that the procedure should be left until the person is mature enough to make the choice for himself. Others believe that the procedure is less traumatic when performed in infancy and do not wish to disturb the traditional right of parents to make medical decisions on behalf of their child.

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Religious circumcision of minors

In some parts of the world it is customary or obligatory for minors to be circumcised for religious or cultural reasons. Many believe that this practice is protected by the principle of freedom of religion. Others disagree, arguing that no right has precedence over the rights of a child. Still others contend that freedom of religion only applies to belief, not action involving others.

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