To surgically remove the foreskin (outer covering) of the penis, a procedure performed for religious, cultural, or medical reasons.
From Latin circumcisus: circum (around) + caedere (to cut). The term literally means 'to cut around' and has been used for thousands of years to describe this practice documented in ancient Egyptian and Hebrew texts.
Circumcision is one of the oldest surgical procedures in human history, practiced by Egyptians over 5,000 years ago, and today it remains medically debated with different cultures and religions viewing it very differently.
Circumcision's gendered practice and discourse centers male bodies; debate over ritual practice often treats male bodily autonomy differently than female genital modification, reflecting historical gender hierarchies in medicine and religious tradition.
When discussing circumcision, specify gender context and distinguish between religious/cultural practice, medical procedure, and bodily autonomy concerns to avoid implicit gender bias.
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