Exploring the Psychological Correlates of Early and Late Circumcision in Urban Educated Indian Muslim Male Youths

The study aimed to explore certain psychosocial variables, namely, self esteem, body image, obedience and piety in Indian Muslim male youths who underwent circumcision between the ages of 1 month to 3 years (early circumcision) and those between the ages of 8 to10 years (late circumcision). A sample of 90 participants (Early circumcised=50 and Late circumcised=40) belonging to the age range of 20 to 28 years with minimum qualification of pursuing under graduation were investigated on the above mentioned variables. The participants completed the following inventories for assessment- Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965); Body Image Concern Inventory (Littletona, Axsom, & Pury, 2005); The Religiosity and Spirituality Scale for Youth (Hernandez, 2011); Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (Altemeyer, 1981). The obtained data revealed that there is no significant difference between the two groups, that is, early circumcised and late circumcised Muslim males with regard to self esteem, body image concern, obedience and piety. The results were interpreted in terms of psychosocial and cultural constructs. The present study contributes by shading light upon the psychological impact of a traditional religious practice involving as sensitive an area as one's genitals. Along with the physiological impact of circumcision, a considerable deepening influence of it on the mental disposition is thought to exist. The results of the study are in stark contradiction to Western literature which highlights the detrimental psychological effects of circumcision. The results have been interpreted in terms of psycho-social and socio-cultural constructs.