STATEMENT ON NON-THERAPEUTIC CIRCUMCISION OF BOYS
The penile foreskin is a natural and integral part
of the normal male genitalia. The foreskin has a number of important
protective and sexual functions. It protects the penile glans against
trauma and contributes to the natural functioning of the penis during
sexual activity. Ancient historic accounts and recent scientific
evidence leave little doubt that during sexual activity the foreskin is a
functional and highly sensitive, erogenous structure, capable of
providing pleasure to its owner and his potential partners.
As clinical sexologists, we are concerned about the human rights
aspects associated with the practice of non-therapeutic circumcision of
young boys. To cut off the penile foreskin in a boy with normal, healthy
genitalia deprives him of his right to grow up and make his own
informed decision.
Unless there are compelling medical reasons to
operate before a boy reaches an age and a level of maturity at which he
is capable of providing informed consent, the decision to alter the
appearance, sensitivity and functionality of the penis should be left to
its owner, thus upholding his fundamental rights to protection and
bodily integrity.
Every person’s right to bodily integrity goes hand
in hand with his or her sexual autonomy. By signing this statement we
support the resolution of September 30, 2013, issued by the Nordic
ombudsmen for children, and the resolution of October 1, 2013, issued by
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in which
governments are urged to take the necessary measures to protect
children’s bodily integrity with regard to non-therapeutic genital
surgery.
Helsinki, October 10th, 2013
Maaret Kallio
President of the Nordic Association for Clinical Sexology
On behalf of all six member organizations:
The Finnish Association for Sexology (Contact: Maaret Kallio; [email protected])
The Norwegian Society for Clinical Sexology (Contact: Elsa Almås; [email protected])
The Danish Association for Clinical Sexology (Contact: Inger Bugge; [email protected])
The Swedish Association for Sexology (Contact: Suzann Larsdotter; [email protected])
The Icelandic Sexology Association (Contact: Sigga Dögg Arnardottir; [email protected])
The Estonian Academic Society of Sexology (Contact: Paul Korrovits; [email protected])