1 Boys and girls alike Brian D. Earp University of Oxford Word count: 2,800 Key words: FGM, male circumcision, medical ethics, World Health Organization, autonomy This is the author’s version of a published magazine article. It may be cited as follows: Earp, B. D. (2015). Boys and girls alike. Aeon Magazine. Available at http://aeon.co/magazine/philosophy/male-and-female-circumcision-are-equally-wrong/. ________ Note: this essay is partially adapted from an earlier open access article by the author, in which supporting references can be found. See: Earp, B. D. (2014). Female genital mutilation (FGM) and male circumcision: Should there be a separate ethical discourse? Practical Ethics. University of Oxford. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/8817976/Female_genital_mutilation_FGM_and_male_circumcisi on_Should_there_be_a_separate_ethical_discourse. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.3530.4967. Please also be advised that a more formal academic essay adapted from both of these pieces has been accepted for publication in the journal Medicolegal and Bioethics. See: Earp, B. D. (in press). Female genital mutilation and male circumcision: Toward an autonomy-based ethical framework. Medicolegal and Bioethics, in press. Available at https://www.academia.edu/10270196/Female_genital_mutilation_and_male_circumcision_T oward_an_autonomy-based_ethical_framework.