Potential Reasons for Circumcision

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• Societal norm in the U.S.: "Everyone" has a circumcised penis

• Ethnic, cultural or religious reasons, e.g., Jews, Muslims, some Christians

• Identification with other males, e.g., father, brother

• Easy hygiene (no need to retract prepuce for cleaning in older boys and men). This is a common belief in U.S.

• "Prevention": Less risk and ease of neonatal circumcision compared to a desired or necessary one in later life (anesthesia risks increase, more pain and greater healing time outside of newborn period)

• Perceived medical or health benefit: Less preputial problems, less penile cancer, fewer UTIs, fewer STDs

• Personal preference of appearance

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