The cut that can ruin a man’s life

This week, a BBC1 documentary, A Cut Too Far?, gave an insight into the contentious issue of male circumcision. But i was disappointed its conclusion was only a call for greater regulation.

i have seen many men in psychiatric outpatient clinics who tell me that their lives have been ruined by circumcision.

Cases of mutilation are rare (although it does happen, as the documentary made clear), but in my experience incidences of significantly decreased sensitivity are relatively common. This can have a lifelong and irreversible impact on men’s lives and relationships. Yet it’s rarely talked about.

Many people have no idea about the negative effects of this procedure and, because of religious and cultural sensitivities ( several belief systems, including Judaism, islam and some branches of Christianity, advocate male circumcision as a religious rite), we are often too scared to challenge it.

Would a BBC documentary have dared come to a fence- sitting conclusion about female genital mutilation? i don’t think so.

Male circumcision involves the removal of healthy tissues, just as in FGM. it’s no more justifiable doing it to males as it is to females. Of course, there are medical reasons when it might be necessary. But most male circumcisions are done for cultural or religious reasons or because it’s thought to be hygienic — interestingly, the same justifications used for FGM.

Circumcision can be a painful and potentially damaging operation. Why is it acceptable to surgically alter the genitalia of boys, but not girls?