For years, circumcision has been pushed as a “must-have” procedure for newborn boys, with the media and health organizations shoving it down our throats as a cure-all. It’s pitched as a way to prevent infections and lower HIV risk, but it’s all a lie. The science doesn’t back it up, and the so-called benefits are inflated to sell a story. Meanwhile, the real risks—the pain, the trauma, the permanent damage—are conveniently ignored.
Circumcision isn’t some harmless little snip; it’s a life-altering decision made for someone who can’t even speak for themselves. It’s time to stop swallowing the media’s lies and face the ugly reality: circumcision is an unnecessary procedure, sold as a miracle but built on a foundation of distortion and deception.
The Myth of Health Benefits
For decades, circumcision has been portrayed in the media as a cure-all—a procedure that will prevent infections, boost hygiene, and even protect against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. But what’s really happening here? The supposed health benefits are exaggerated, and the risks are downplayed.
Take the claim that circumcision prevents urinary tract infections (UTIs). It’s often touted as a major reason for the procedure, yet the actual risk of a UTI in male infants is so low that circumcision is hardly a necessity. In fact, studies have shown that UTIs in healthy male infants are less than 1%. Despite this, the media continually pushes the idea that circumcision is essential for preventing these infections, completely ignoring the fact that the procedure itself can introduce its own risks—like infection, bleeding, and scarring.
Then there’s the HIV claim. Sure, circumcision might reduce the risk of HIV in high-risk populations, but this doesn’t apply to the general population, especially in countries where HIV isn’t rampant. Yet, the media spins circumcision as the ultimate shield against HIV, glossing over the fact that the vast majority of men won’t see these benefits. This selective reporting leaves parents misinformed, thinking they are making a medically sound decision when, in fact, they are buying into an exaggerated narrative.
The Risks That Get Swept Under the Rug
If circumcision were truly as harmless as the media suggests, then why isn’t anyone talking about the real risks? The procedure is a medical intervention with serious consequences. Complications like infection, excessive bleeding, and scarring are very real, and they’re more common than most people realize. And let’s not forget that circumcision is a permanent, irreversible procedure. Once it’s done, there’s no going back.
What’s even more disturbing is that circumcision can have long-term consequences that the media refuses to address. Many men who were circumcised as infants report lasting emotional and psychological effects, including feelings of regret, anger, and even a loss of sexual sensation. These are not trivial concerns—they are life-altering, and yet they’re rarely mentioned when the media ignores the “health benefits” of circumcision.
The Media’s Role in Perpetuating the Myth
Why is the media so complicit in perpetuating this myth? Simple: there’s money to be made. The medical industry profits from circumcision, and so do the companies that produce related products—everything from surgical tools to post-procedure creams. This financial incentive has led to a situation where circumcision is presented as a necessity, even when science doesn’t support it.
But it’s not just about money. The normalization of circumcision is deeply ingrained in many cultures, particularly in the United States. It’s become part of the narrative of what it means to be healthy, clean, and “normal.” The media perpetuates these cultural norms, often at the expense of the truth. And what do we get? A population that’s been conditioned to see circumcision as the default, no questions asked.
What Needs to Change?
It’s time for the media to stop selling circumcision as a universal solution. The narrative needs to change—from one that promotes it as a must-have procedure to one that presents the full picture. Parents deserve to know the real risks and benefits of circumcision, not just the sanitized version that makes it seem like a simple, risk-free choice.
Doctors, parents, and the public need to have an honest conversation about circumcision. It should not be treated as the default but rather as a choice that requires careful consideration, full informed consent, and an understanding of the potential consequences. The media must stop pushing a one-sided narrative that leaves out the very real risks involved and the shaky scientific evidence behind the so-called “benefits.”
Changing the Cultural Narrative Around Circumcision
The problem isn’t just in the media; it’s in the very culture that allows circumcision to persist without question. It’s seen as a rite of passage, a symbol of cleanliness, or a way to ensure a child’s health. But why should society continue to push this procedure when it’s not grounded in universal medical necessity?
The media plays a huge part in maintaining this tradition. Every time a news outlet or health organization highlights circumcision as a “routine” or “necessary” procedure, it reinforces the idea that it’s the default. As a result, parents—especially new ones—are more likely to accept circumcision without questioning it. The truth is that this cultural norm needs to be disrupted. Parents need to be able to make an informed decision, free from the pressure of tradition, and empowered to choose what’s best for their child based on facts, not on what’s been culturally normalized for decades.
What’s at Stake: Bodily Autonomy and Consent
Ultimately, circumcision is about more than just medical facts and cultural practices—it’s about bodily autonomy. A child has no voice in this decision, yet their body is permanently altered. That is a powerful violation of personal autonomy, and it’s one that shouldn’t be dismissed. No one should have the authority to make irreversible decisions about someone’s body when they’re not old enough to give consent. The argument for circumcision based on “tradition” or “health benefits” becomes increasingly hollow when we acknowledge that, in the end, it’s the child who will have to live with the consequences—physical, emotional, and psychological.
We need to shift the narrative and put bodily autonomy back at the center of this conversation. It’s time to question whether it’s acceptable to continue this practice in the face of growing evidence against it. Circumcision should be a choice made by the individual, not something that’s forced on them before they can even understand the concept of consent. Until we recognize that, the debate over circumcision will remain incomplete and unjust. The future of medical ethics depends on how we handle the rights of the most vulnerable—our children.
The Truth Matters
It’s time to stop letting circumcision be sold as a health miracle when science doesn’t support it. The truth is that circumcision is not the simple, harmless procedure the media has portrayed it to be. It’s a serious medical intervention with real risks and uncertain benefits. Parents need to be armed with the facts—not the myths.
In the end, it’s about choice, autonomy, and informed decision-making. The media must stop distorting the narrative and start telling the truth about circumcision because when it comes to something as permanent as altering a child’s body, the truth matters.
No Comments