Final answer:
Goals of male genital cutting range from cultural rites of passage to medical benefits, but the practice is contentious, particularly regarding consent in children and intersex individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The goals of male genital cutting, which can also be referred to as circumcision, vary across different cultural, religious, and medical contexts. In certain cultures, such as some communities in South Africa, the procedure is a rite of passage symbolizing the transition from boyhood to manhood. It involves stages where the individual must not show pain, endure a period of isolation, and finally, return to their community recognized as men, now privy to formerly secret knowledge. From a different perspective, medical goals can sometimes be cited, such as improved hygiene or reduced risk of certain diseases.
However, these medical benefits are subject to debate, and the practice is increasingly challenged when applied to children or infants due to ethical concerns surrounding consent and the individual's rights. In contrast, interventions on intersex individuals often aim to assign a definitive sex that aligns with cultural norms regarding binary gender, though this practice faces growing opposition advocating for informed consent and bodily autonomy.