Despite all of the other things I write about, most of the visitors to this site end up here because they’ve searched for information about male circumcision, phimosis, or some similar subject to do with male circumcision (including an alarmingly large number of people who search for instructions on how to do a circumcision at home).

This page aims to:

• Summarise my views on male circumcision
• Provide links to the posts I’ve written on male circumcision and related subjects
• Provide some pointers to reliable resources on the web

I understand that my views won’t persuade anyone. I’m just expressing my point of view – you can disagree if you wish.

If you’re going to post a comment, please make sure it is written in proper English, contains decent language, and articulates your views. Saying “you’re wrong” and nothing else will only lead to deletion, as will poor English expression and swearing.

My views

1. The foreskin is a functional part of the penile anatomy, with a purpose and reason for existence.
2. Male circumcision is therefore the amputation of functional body tissue.
3. Male circumcision is largely unnecessary, except for medical indications such as for phimosis.
4. Phimosis should first be managed conservatively before circumcision is performed.
5. The evidence on any effect in preventing STDs is negligible, if that.
6. If male circumcision has a role in preventing sexually transmitted HIV infections it is as an adjunct to the use of condoms if you don’t know the serostatus of your partner, or having unprotected sex with a person of the same serostatus in monogamous relationships.
7. Routine infant male circumcision is absolutely unnecessary, and parents lack the moral right to make such a decision on behalf of their son. Arguments that include ‘it looks nicer,’ ‘it is cleaner’, ‘he needs to fit in’ and ‘I want him to look like me’ are all spurious. Having said this, in my experience parents simply need help making a decision, and are trying to do what is best for their son.
8. If parents elect to circumcise their infant son they should pay the full value of the procedure.
9. If adult men elect to be circumcised they are free to do so.

My posts

• Male circumcision (first go)
• Male circumcision (second go) – “He should look like his father”
• Victoria to scrap funded circumcisions
• Call to end circumcision of baby boys
• Doctors back call for circumcision ban
• Circumcision (and HIV)
• Male circumcision ineffective in HIV battle
• Male circumcision offers little, if any protection against HIV
• Doctors opposing circumcision release new statement on male genital integrity
• Circumcision and the Christian parent
• More on circumcision and the Christian parent
• Circumcision doesn’t reduce HIV risk in gay men
• New study shows condoms 95 times more effective than circumcision in reducing HIV risk
• Should Australia reintroduce routine infant circumcision?
• Phimosis
• Home circumcision?
• US obsession with circumcision
• Infant circumcision may be illegal (in Tasmania)
• Royal Australian College of Physicians guideline on infant circumcision

Good internet resources for those wanting help making a decision, or seeking more information

• Circumcision (Better Health, Australia)
• Foreskin care (Better Health, Australia)
• Royal Australian College of Physicians brochure for parents
• Royal Australian College of Physicians position statement
• Royal Australian College of Physicians (and others) policy
• Guide for new parents (Circumcision Information Australia)
• Circumcision Information and Resource Pages