Sexuality, gender or hygiene: urologists and plastic surgeons discussing male circumcision in Japan

Abstract

In-depth repeat interviews with 14 male Japanese urologists and plastic surgeons are analysed to shed light on male circumcision: a procedure largely conducted at beauty clinics to deal with gender and sexual matters. The urologists strongly oppose male circumcision because it is a surgery promoted by plastic surgeons without any prophylactic benefit and which works only as a placebo. This suggests a critical public health matter within current international debates on adult and paediatric male circumcision. Urologists encourage the practice of the ‘informed parent’ to challenge male circumcision and promote penile hygiene. Plastic surgeons, in comparison, argue that male circumcision can be effectively used to deal with issues concerning male’s self-confidence, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Despite urologist and plastic surgeons exhibiting clear divergent positions, their viewpoint converge on the sexual script that sexuality arises from the genitals and the master narrative that the penis is central in the construction of masculinity.