ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of circumcision

When a new baby is born, sometimes doctors or other important people will decide to cut off a small piece of skin around the baby's private area. This is called circumcision.

This might seem like a strange thing to do, but people have been doing it for a very long time.

In fact, thousands of years ago, some groups of people in the Middle East started practicing circumcision as a way to show that they were part of a special group or religion. For them, it was a sign of being clean or pure.

Over time, different cultures and religions picked up on this practice and made it their own. For example, in the United States, some people started getting circumcised for health reasons in the early 20th century.

Today, many people around the world still practice circumcision for religious, cultural, or medical reasons. Some people argue that circumcision has health benefits or can help prevent certain infections, while others say it's a personal decision and should be left up to the individual.

Ultimately, the history of circumcision is a complex and varied one, with different people practicing it for different reasons depending on their culture, beliefs, and health needs.