Painful Dilemma of Circumcision
Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin that covers the penis and is commonly performed in male infants in the first few days after birth. Circumcision is the most common surgical procedure performed on infants, especially in the United States, where there seems to exist an unexplained positive cultural connotation with neonatal circumcision. ... Three different reasons lead to circumcision: 1) Medical reasons in present of a pathologic phimosis. ... 3) Finally in many countries circumcision is performed as routine-circumcision in the newborn period” (2001 pp. ... The origins of circumcision were originally religious, practiced by Jews and Muslims. However, the practice has gained cultural acceptance by many parents in the United States because they desire their male child to have a physical appearance similar to the majority of other children and they feel that circumcision is expected by society. When circumcision is being considered, the benefits and risks should be explained to the parents of the male child, and informed consent obtained by the nurse.