Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma

by Ronald Goldman Ph.D., Ashley Montagu (Foreword by)

Overview

CIRCUMCISION: THE HIDDEN TRAUMA is the first intensive exploration of the unrecognized psychological and social aspects of this increasingly controversial American cultural practice. The book has been endorsed by dozens of professionals in psychology, psychiatry, child development, pediatrics, obstetrics, childbirth education, sociology, and anthropology, including Ashley Montagu, Christiane Northrup, Warren Farrell, Sheila Kitzinger, Sam Keen, and Penelope Leach. Without much knowledge, the American public generally assumes that our cultural practice of circumcision is a trivial and benign procedure. Plain facts and research results conflict with these beliefs and raise serious questions. Dr. Goldman's application of psychological and social research coherently explains both the tenacity of the practice and the contradictory information and beliefs about it. After a review of the surprising abilities of infants and their responses to circumcision pain, the long-term psychological effects of circumcision are examined from the perspectives of both traditional and innovative psychological theories. We learn that circumcision has potential effects not only on men and sexuality, but also on mother-child relationships, male-female relationships, and societal traits and problems. The text is supported with clinical reports, interviews, surveys, and thorough documentation. CIRCUMCISION: THE HIDDEN TRAUMA identifies an overlooked source of early pain and points us in the direction of both healing and preventing this pain. It is of particular interest to men who seek to explore their sexuality and deepen self-awareness; women who want to understand men better; parents and children's advocates; childbirth educators and allied workers; and mental health, medical, and academic professionals. The book has wide appeal because, more generally, it is about trusting our instincts, questioning some of our cultural values and assumptions, and reflecting on who we are and who we can be as individuals and as a society. Ronald Goldman, Ph.D., is a psychologist, educator, and executive director of the Circumcision Resource Center in Boston (www.circumcision.org), a nonprofit educational organization. He gives lectures and seminars on the psychological and social aspects of circumcision and provides consultation to expectant parents and circumcised men. Dr. Goldman has been a featured guest on local and national radio and television shows and has been cited in numerous newspapers and periodicals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780964489530
Publisher:	Vanguard Publications
Publication date:	02/01/1997
Pages:	302
Sales rank:	349,907
Product dimensions:	5.54(w) x 8.47(h) x 0.95(d)

Read an Excerpt

The American public generally assumes that our cultural practice of circumcision is a trivial and benign procedure, hardly worthy of serious consideration and discussion. We believe that such a widespread practice must be grounded in a consensus that it is safe and effective, that it benefits the child or at least does no harm.

In fact, there is considerable disagreement about the advisability of circumcision. According to one national survey, 33 percent of American obstetricians and pediatricians are personally opposed to circumcision, though some of them may not disclose this to their patients. Some doctors and nurses have refused to participate in circumcisions. In addition, some circumcised men are revealing long-standing opposition to circumcision or are adopting such a stance after learning more about the practice. Parents' views and choices are changing, too. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the circumcision rate has dropped from a peak of about 85 percent to about 60 percent nationally and to only about 35 percent in some areas of the country.

What do these people know? What motivates their opposition? Is it wise to continue subjecting our children to a practice that has provoked growing criticism and questioning? Does it matter that about 3,500 circumcisions are still performed every day, one every twenty-five seconds?

From a global perspective, most of the world rejects circumcision: over 80 percent of the world's males are intact (not circumcised). Most circumcised men are Muslim or Jewish. The United States is the only country in the world that circumcises most of its male infants for nonreligious reasons.

The public perception is that there are valid health reasons to circumcise associated with cleanliness and protection from various diseases. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the country's largest organization of physicians who care for infants, has not found any proven medical benefit from circumcision. In fact, no national medical organization in the world recommends routine circumcision of male infants. Furthermore, the results of the latest research are arousing some concern about this often misunderstood surgical procedure, and critics are charging that circumcision causes serious harm.

How can a common, routine procedure cause harm? How could this alleged harm have escaped the notice of doctors, parents, men-the whole society-for so long? How would people react, and what would it say about us if circumcision were found to have a negative impact?

The public is generally unaware of the controversy about circumcision, because circumcision has never had the full and open debate that many believe it deserves. However, that is changing. Increasingly, newspaper and magazine articles, radio and television shows, and a growing network of committed people are focusing attention on the subject. Some media stories on circumcision have elicited a surprising amount of mail and comment requesting better and more extensive reporting on this issue.

New information about circumcision often conflicts with previous teachings and long-held beliefs. Many people, including doctors, are confused by what they learn. If our world makes sense, then there must be a coherent explanation for all the apparently contradictory information. The conflicting conclusions, beliefs, and opinions surrounding circumcision, together with the tenacity with which advocates and opponents of circumcision hold on to their viewpoints, suggest that deep psychological factors are involved. I believe that the heart of the circumcision issue lies beyond the field of medicine.

This book addresses two main questions: (a) Why are circumcisions really being done? and (b) What effect does circumcision have on us? More specific questions include

• What motivates doctors and parents to circumcise? Is this a rational or an emotional decision?
• Why is the United States the only country in the world that circumcises most of its male infants for nonreligious reasons? Do we know something other countries don't, or do they know something we don't want to know?
• What, exactly, happens during a circumcision? Is it "just a little snip" or much more, as some claim?
• Does the infant feel "discomfort" or extreme pain and possibly trauma? If circumcision is traumatic, psychological effects could be long-term.
• Can infants remember their experience? Any evidence that a male retains such memories would support possible long-term effects.
• What are the possible long-term psychological effects of circumcision? Could something that happened that long ago make any difference now?
• What is the sexual impact of circumcision? Does sex feel the same without a foreskin as with one?
• How does circumcision affect the mother-child relationship? Any negative effect that results from the procedure could also have long-term implications.
• Does circumcision affect the male-female relationship? If there are effects, women cannot avoid them.
• How does circumcision affect our society? Is there any possible connection to either common or extreme forms of social behavior?

Amazingly, some of these questions have never been studied, perhaps because they are too disturbing. Close examination could threaten personal and cultural beliefs and challenge current mainstream assumptions about medical and mental health practice. Despite our possible discomfort, we need to know if we are harming ourselves and our children.

Since circumcision touches on so many aspects of life-physical, sexual, psychological, social, historical, and religious, to name a few-many find learning about the practice both engaging and challenging. Indeed, examining the subject of circumcision is a surprisingly rewarding path to learning more about ourselves. Since circumcision touches on so many aspects of life-physical, sexual, psychological, social, historical, and religious, to name a few-many find learning about the practice both engaging and challenging. Indeed, examining the subject of circumcision is a surprisingly rewarding path to learning more about ourselves. Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma may challenge some of your most firmly held assumptions and beliefs about circumcision and society. It is not so important that all agree about the ideas presented in this book, but it is critical that an open discussion take place. The purpose of this work is to stimulate and expand the dialogue.

Editorial Reviews

This pioneering work is of riveting interest to all who have ever wondered about circumcision or who are looking for clues to explain certain male feelings, attitudes, and behaviors.

Myron Sharaf

A penetrating landmark study that raises disturbing questions and yet offers a real message of hope for a more peaceful future.

Lloyd Demause

This provocative analysis of circumcision's potential impact on men and gender relations merits serious attention.

Patricia Yancey Martin

I always knew that circumcision was a procedure with roots at a level much deeper than that of a mere `medical' procedure. Finally, Ronald Goldman has written a courageous book that makes the strongest possible case for abandoning circumcision once and for all-for the health of all of us, men and women alike.

Christiane Northrup

I am very impressed with the depth of Goldman's research and his willingness to deal so thoroughly with the most imporant question of the possible effect of circumcision on boys.

Warren Farrell

I hope Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma will be read by men and women because it will force us to confront the unrecognized personal and social harm that results from this practice.

Sam Keen

I welcome Ronald Goldman's beautiful and powerful book on circumcision. It is the most enlightening and dependable examination of a most important aspect of human life. I hope it will be widely read.

Ashley Montagu

Goldman casts a wide, fine mesh net and hauls in all the fishy arguments and speculations that disqualify circumcision as a health care procedure.

John Money