History of Circumcision

In order to understand circumcision as it is today, it is first necessary to know how it came to be. Most people start believe that circumcision started off in ancient Israel, yet it is clear that circumcision started long before that. It is also clear that the origins of circumcision are lost in antiquity. Many trace circumcision back to Egypt using this picture.



While this picture has virtually become the logo for those that advocate for circumcision, the original picture looks more like this.

*Note that the man on the left is being held down.

Even though this provides some evidence of circumcision in ancient Egypt, to date no circumcised mummies have been found, but some statues show what may be a superincision (cutting a slit in the upper side of the foreskin, or dorsal slit). (1)

The most common historical circumcision that we think of today is Jewish circumcision. However there is evidence that the procedure is radically different than the one performed today. In ancient times, only the skin that was past the glans was cut. Today the skin is cut all the way behind the glans, and often removes the frenulum. (1)(2)

Throughout much of history, circumcision was limited to Muslims, Jews, and no one else. In the 18th century, sexual enjoyment was seen as sinful, and had potential negative health consequences. Masturbation was seen as the worst of all forms of sexual enjoyment. (1) Doctors believed that insanity, vision and hearing problems, epilepsy, and mental retardation were all caused by excessive masturbation. In the late 19th century a cure was found for masturbation.(or at least they thought) Circumcision was seen a miracle procedure that would help rid the world of masturbation. Of course circumcision did not cure masturbation at all, but its proponents used it nonetheless. (2)

In 1877 John Harvey Kellogg helped to popularize modern circumcision in America. Unlike the previous versions, this was specifically performed to do harm. He is quoted that the procedure should be associated with punishment and is best performed without anesthetic. (3)

Even though masturbation was dropped as a medical problem, doctors have continued to support circumcision for health reasons. According to historian Fredrick Hodges, there is a trend in American medicine. It turns out that whatever disease is feared at the time, circumcision advocates will use circumcision as a cure. During WWII when Venereal disease was a big concern, there were several quite frankly racists articles written about how it came from black people. It explained how they could not be trusted to clean themselves and should therefore have forced circumcisions. In the 50s and 60s Cancer was the national scare, circumcision was used as a cure. During the 70s and 80s when AIDs was the big concern, naturally, circumcision was used. (4)(6)

What most people don't realize is this was not limited to males in this time. Up until the late 50s, female circumcision was promoted in reputable health journals, and it was used for the same health benefits as male circumcision.(5)(1) At the time doctors would remove everything they assumed was non-essential. They would remove the appendix, tonsils, the clitoris, and both the male and female foreskins of health individuals. Of these, only male circumcision is left as a solution looking for a problem. (5)(6)

In the post WWII world every civilized nation in the world dropped circumcision with the exception of the United States. Today if you are circumcised, statistically speaking, you are Jewish, Muslim, or American. (1)

Well this obviously brought up a lot of topics that I will discuss later. At least that is a vague overview of the issue.

(1) Marked in your Flesh - Glick
(2) Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective - Ronald Goldman Ph.D.
(3) Circumcision the Hidden Trauma: How an American Cultural Practice Affects Infants and Ultimately Us All - Ronald Goldman Ph.D.
(4) AAP policy Statement
(5) Rape of Innocence - Robinett
(6) Whose Body Whose Rights, Dillonwood Productions