The modification of the 'natural' body has been occurring ever since concepts and perceptions of self and other shifted to an understanding of attraction and competition for mates became established in early homo sapien cultures. Hair removal through cutting and shaving, face and body painting, tattoing, neck, lip and ear lobe elongation, foot binding, ear and nose piercing, corsetry, body building, and dieting, have a well documented history across diverse cultural contexts.
Genital modification may not have as long a documented history or acknowledgement in popular culture, but, the types of modifications listed above are also performed on the genitals of women and men.
This paper will attempt to review the complexity of male genital modifications and compare western European modifications with those occurring historically and currently in the developing country non-Western context. The paper will explore the rationale behind modifications and discuss the benefits and harms associated with their use.
Recorded June 12 – 16, 2011 at the 20th WAS World Congress for Sexual Health
Forging the Future: Sexual Health for the 21th Century, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Visit The World Association Of Sexual Health at http://www.worldsexology.org
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