9 Comparisons to Expose How Brutal Circumcision Is

Circumcision often gets a pass in society because it’s cloaked in cultural norms, medical justifications, or religious traditions. But when you strip away the euphemisms and look at it objectively, the procedure is a brutal act that deserves scrutiny.

To drive this point home, let’s use nine comparisons to highlight just how invasive and unnecessary circumcision truly is—and why we need to rethink its normalization.

1. Circumcision vs. Body Modification in Adults

Imagine if someone suggested amputating a healthy adult’s earlobe for “cleanliness” or “aesthetic reasons.” The idea would seem absurd, invasive, and unethical. Yet, circumcision involves removing a functional, sensitive part of a baby’s anatomy—without their consent. It’s a permanent alteration done to someone who has no voice in the matter, and the justifications for it wouldn’t hold up for any other body modification.

2. Circumcision vs. Declawing Cats

Declawing cats is widely condemned as inhumane because it involves amputating part of their toes. Many countries have banned the practice, recognizing it as cruel and unnecessary. Circumcision, however, involves cutting off the foreskin—a part of the body rich in nerve endings and essential for protection and sexual function. Why do we protect cats from such pain while subjecting human infants to it?

3. Circumcision vs. Female Genital Cutting

Around the world, female genital cutting is rightly seen as a human rights violation. It’s invasive, painful, and robs women of bodily autonomy. Yet, male circumcision continues to be normalized, even though it’s a similarly invasive procedure that removes healthy, functional tissue. The double standard is staggering: cutting a girl is a crime, but cutting a boy is a cultural norm.

4. Circumcision vs. Tattooing

Tattooing a child is illegal in most places, even if a parent consents. Why? Because it’s permanent and violates the child’s autonomy over their own body. Circumcision, however, is even more invasive, removing not just skin but a functional part of the body. If we can wait until someone is old enough to choose a tattoo, why can’t we do the same for circumcision?

5. Circumcision vs. Cosmetic Surgery

No ethical surgeon would perform elective cosmetic surgery on a baby for purely aesthetic reasons. But circumcision, which is often justified by claims of hygiene or cultural preference, is essentially a cosmetic procedure. The foreskin isn’t a defect—it’s a natural, functional part of the body. Performing surgery to remove it is no different than deciding a baby’s nose or ears need reshaping for aesthetic purposes.

You might also be interested in reading: 10 Disadvantages of Circumcision & Horrifying Facts

6. Circumcision vs. Amputation After an Injury

When a person loses a finger or limb due to injury, it’s considered a significant trauma that impacts their life forever. Circumcision removes a part of the body that’s functional and highly sensitive. Yet, society minimizes this loss as insignificant. The reality is that the foreskin has specific roles in protecting the glans and enhancing sexual pleasure—roles that can never be replaced once it’s gone.

7. Circumcision vs. Piercing a Baby’s Ears

Piercing a baby’s ears is often criticized because it inflicts unnecessary pain and alters the child’s body without their consent. Yet, it’s far less invasive than circumcision, which involves cutting through skin and nerve-rich tissue. If piercing a baby’s ears sparks debates about ethics, circumcision should trigger even stronger reactions—but somehow, it doesn’t.

8. Circumcision vs. Religious Practices in Adults

Some defend circumcision as a religious obligation. But here’s the thing: religious adults willingly undertake rituals and sacrifices as acts of faith. Forcing circumcision on a baby denies them the opportunity to make that choice for themselves later in life. If religion is about free will and personal commitment, why not let individuals decide whether to undergo the procedure as adults?

9. Circumcision vs. Modern Medicine’s Do No Harm Principle

The cornerstone of modern medicine is to “do no harm.” Circumcision, however, is a procedure performed on healthy infants who don’t need it. It involves pain, risks of complications, and permanent alteration of the body. If a doctor amputated any other healthy part of a baby’s anatomy without necessity, they’d lose their license. Circumcision stands out as a glaring exception to this principle.

The Emotional and Psychological Impact

These comparisons expose the physical brutality of circumcision, but they also hint at the emotional and psychological costs. For many men, learning about what was taken from them sparks feelings of anger, grief, and betrayal. Parents often wrestle with guilt once they realize they consented to a procedure that wasn’t necessary. And for some, the trauma of circumcision’s aftermath—such as botched surgeries or complications—can cast a shadow over early bonding experiences.

The Cultural Brainwashing

So why does circumcision persist? A combination of cultural inertia, misinformation, and societal pressure. Parents are often told it’s “cleaner,” “better,” or “necessary,” without being given a full picture of the risks or the role the foreskin plays in the body. Circumcision’s normalization blinds us to its brutality, allowing a practice we’d condemn in any other context to continue unchallenged.

A Call to Action

It’s time to question why circumcision remains an acceptable norm. Every argument for it crumbles under scrutiny, especially when you compare it to other practices society deems unethical or unnecessary. Circumcision is a violation of bodily autonomy, plain and simple.

As a society, we must do better. Parents deserve accurate information. Infants deserve the right to grow into adults who can make their own choices about their bodies. And cultural norms should never trump ethics or human rights.

These comparisons strip away the justifications and reveal circumcision for what it really is: an unnecessary, invasive, and brutal procedure. By understanding the stark realities of circumcision, we can start to challenge its place in modern society and move toward a world where every child’s right to bodily autonomy is respected.