Richard, hope this isn't classed as 'too much information', but there are many different types of circumcision. One type is merely a 'trim', and there is still enough skin left to retract and wash. A quite radical circumcision is often performed in Africa, which involves complete removal of ALL the foreskin and a razor removal even of the ring of tissue which is left, (rather like sharpening a pencil with a knife). This is often done at age ten, without aneasthetic and is incredibly painful for days. Another type (eg Masai) leaves a long 'tag' of the foreskin hanging on a thin strip of skin. This is supposed to give much pleasure to women. There is some limited evidence that circumcision reduces the transference of the HIV virus, but this information is dangerous, as it encourages people not to bother with a condom. Also, Jewish women do not often contract cervical cancer, as a circumcised penis does not induce this condition. Nuns never get cervical cancer! But I still think the operation should only be performed on consenting adults.