An article titled “The Psychological Impact of Circumcision” reports that circumcision results in behavioral changes in infants and long-term unrecognized psychological effects on men. The piece reviews the medical literature on infants’ responses to circumcision and concludes, “there is strong evidence that circumcision is overwhelmingly painful and traumatic.” The article notes that infants exhibit behavioral changes after circumcision, and some men have strong feelings of anger, shame, distrust, and grief about having been circumcised. In addition, circumcision has been shown to disrupt the mother-infant bond, and some mothers report significant distress after allowing their son to be circumcised. Psychological factors perpetuate circumcision. According to the author, “defending circumcision requires minimizing or dismissing the harm and producing overstated medical claims about protection from future harm. The ongoing denial requires the acceptance of false beliefs and misunderstanding of facts. These psychological factors affect professionals, members of religious groups, and parents involved in the practice.”
Expressions from circumcised men are generally lacking because most circumcised men do not understand what circumcision is, emotional repression keeps feelings from awareness, or men may be aware of these feelings but afraid of disclosure. Goldman, R., “The Psychological Impact of Circumcision,” BJU 83 (1999): suppl. 1: 93–102
Male Circumcision and Psychosexual Effects Investigated
Infant male circumcision continues despite growing questions about its medical justification. As usually performed without analgesia or anesthetic, circumcision is observably painful. It is likely that genital cutting has physical, sexual, and psychological consequences, too. Some studies link involuntary male circumcision with a range of negative emotions and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some circumcised men have described their current feelings in the language of violation, torture, mutilation, and sexual assault. In view of the acute as well as long-term risks from circumcision and the legal liabilities that might arise, it is timely for health professionals and scientists to re-examine the evidence on this issue and participate in the debate about the advisability of this surgical procedure on unconsenting minors.
Boyle, G., Goldman, R., Svoboda, J.S., and Fernandez, E., “Male Circumcision: Pain, Trauma, and Psychosexual Sequelae,” Journal of Health Psychology 7 (2002): 329-343.
Male Circumcision Affects Female Sexual EnjoymentA survey of women who have had sexual experience with circumcised and anatomically complete partners showed that the anatomically complete penis was preferred over the circumcised penis. Without the foreskin to provide a movable sleeve of skin, intercourse with a circumcised penis resulted in female discomfort from increased friction, abrasion, and loss of natural secretions. Respondents overwhelmingly concurred that the mechanics of coitus were different for the two groups of men. Unaltered men tended to thrust more gently with shorter strokes.
O’Hara, K. and O’Hara, J., “The Effect of Male Circumcision on the Sexual Enjoyment of the Female Partner,” BJU 83 (1999): suppl. 1: 79–84
Survey Finds Circumcision Contributes to Vaginal Dryness
The impact of male circumcision on vaginal dryness during coitus was investigated. We conducted a survey of 35 female sexual partners aged 18 to 69 years who had experienced sexual intercourse with both circumcised and genitally intact men. Women reported they were significantly more likely to have experienced vaginal dryness during intercourse with circumcised than with genitally intact men.
Bensley, G. and Boyle, G., “Effects of Male Circumcision on Female Arousal and Orgasm,” N Z Med J 116 (2003): 595-596.
Circumcised Penis Requires More Care in Young BoysThe circumcised penis requires more care than the intact penis during the first three years of life, according to a report in the British Journal of Urology. The clinical findings of an American pediatrician showed that circumcised boys were significantly more likely to have skin adhesions, trapped debris, irritated urinary opening, and inflammation of the glans (head of the penis) than were boys with a foreskin. Furthermore, because there are large variations of appearance in circumcised boys, circumcision for cosmetic reasons should be discouraged.
Van Howe, R., “Variability in Penile Appearance and Penile Findings: A Prospective Study,” BJU 80 (1997): 776–782.
I cannot say that I am an “activist” or that I disagree with many changes that have come about through medicine however I do generally think that today we are too superficial and quick to change the way we were born or to try to avoid the difficulties (flu shots, etc.) of life.
ReplyDeleteGood blog.
Thanks for the comment! Not everyone has to be the activist I am of course. I just think people need to pay more attention to nature and the way it works on its own. We have been designed to function in a healthy way, a self-healing way, and to try and change our nature can only brings repurcussions. We could avoid much pain and suffering this way.
ReplyDeleteThere is a fantastic book that you should know about that covers this subject in detail! Male and Female Circumcision: Among Jews, Christians and Muslims (كتاب ختان الكور والإنا) by well-known intactivist and Swiss Institute of Comparative Law Professor Sami Aldeeb. Check it out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the additional info!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. There's obviously a lot of research that not discourages parents from having their son(s) circumcised. Besides medical reasons, social and cultural factors also come into play in this decision. I had both my sons circumcised, but I do see the other side's points. There's a very interesting discussion of this issue at www.opposingviews.com/questions/should-boys-be-circumcised. Experts from both sides provide their points and offer some great points and information on the topic.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm a primal mother but with a different idea. My husband I believe that if a boy is to be circumcised it should be his choice. Granted he will have a better memory of it but we still think it is his choice. It is his body after all. I personally feel that if we are born with something unless it is a true heath hazard (such as a tumor)it should stay until the individual can choose for them selves. In some tribes in Africa the hood to the clit is removed just like the foreskin to the penis. We think that is horrid so why would we do it to our sons? I am 33 weeks pregnant with my first son and he is not getting circumcised just like I wouldn't have it done to a girl if I had one.
ReplyDeleteJamie, I agree that if anyone wants to amputate body parts, it's their decision and not ours. So I don't see where we differ on that. But that falls under the "to each his own" even though I personally see no point. I don't think most grown men would CHOOSE to amputate half of their penis but whatever.
ReplyDeleteTumors and other things that may cause death, IMO, do not fall under this same category. Those are not body parts but invaders of the body which are unnatural and should be removed as such.