Tuli myths vs. facts
Common beliefs about tuli, answered calmly and without judgement.
"Everyone has to do it"
Tuli is very common and socially expected, but it is neither legally required nor universal. Many boys are circumcised later, or not at all. “Everyone does it” describes social pressure, not necessity.
"It is always medically necessary"
For a healthy boy it is not necessary at all. Major paediatric bodies do not recommend routine circumcision; only a small number of genuine conditions, diagnosed by a doctor, actually call for it. The foreskin is normal, healthy tissue — routine tuli is a cultural choice, not a treatment.
"It makes someone clean"
Hygiene comes from washing, not surgery. An intact penis is kept clean with ordinary washing, like any other body part. We don’t remove healthy tissue elsewhere to make it ‘cleaner’ — ‘cleanliness’ is a cultural justification, not a medical fact.
"A boy cannot say no"
A child old enough to understand can — and ethically should be able to — express agreement or refusal. His willingness matters, and shame or bullying are not valid reasons to override it.
"No pain means no harm"
Effective anaesthesia matters, but the absence of felt pain does not by itself mean a procedure was safe, consenting or sterile. Pain control is one safeguard among several.
"Waiting is impossible"
Waiting is entirely possible. There is no deadline. An older child can take part in the decision and manage aftercare better — delay is a valid choice.
"It is a religious requirement"
In the Philippines, tuli is mainly cultural. For most Filipinos it is a social rite of passage rather than a religious obligation, even though it is sometimes assumed to be one.
"Free drives are automatically safe"
Free mass drives can be valuable and accessible, but “free” isn’t “safe”. Anaesthesia, sterility and follow-up vary by program — the questions still need asking.