The Review of Pros and Cons between Traditional Male Circumcision and Medical Male Circumcision in the Contemporary South Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe relevance and benefits of Traditional Male Circumcision (TMC) as opposed to Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) has been a topical issue globally. The purpose of this paper through a desktop review, seeks to elicit debates, discussions, discourses and analysis of the pros and cons between Traditional Male Circumcision (TMC) and Medical Male Circumcision (MMC). The following underpinning factors have been identified to be a panacea: TMC as an identity maker; TMC harnesses social status. TMC phenomenon is also considered to be perfidious because of: Clinical hazards and illegal initiation schools; para-professionalism associated with traditional practitioners; and conflict between the culture of TMC and modernity. The present paper recommends that: Public need to be afforded the principle of self-determination; a need for all relevant TMC stakeholders to embrace the current gaps in the TMC; and allow other TMC stakeholders to decide whether to supplant MMC or find ways to improve TMC.