OnlineNursingClasses.netPhysicians Against Circumcision
What's really behind "intactivism," as some have called the highly vocal movement behind the prohibition of circumcision? Did you know that the United States is the only country that has the vast majority of its male infants going through this procedure? The hue and cry against circumcision became so loud in 2011 that a measure banning all circumcisions of male infants in San Francisco was placed on the ballot. The measure proposes that it be a misdemeanor to perform male infant circumcisions, regardless of cultural or religious beliefs.
So, what's wrong with it? Why ban it? The concern of doctors against circumcision is that in their opinion, it is not based on any demonstrable health benefit. In fact, they contend that it causes serious long-term detrimental effects for individuals and society. Here is a comprehensive compilation of books, online materials, videos, and information for parents that presents the case for either deferring or opting out altogether when it comes to the "circumcision decision."
Books on Circumcision
- What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Circumcision: Untold Facts on America's Most Widely Performed and Most Unnecessary Surgery: Written by a Jewish pediatrician and medical historian, this book dispels the myth that circumcision is a covenant with God for the Jewish people. Fact based and readable, it uncovers medical myths, offering practical answers to "misunderstood questions."
- Circumcision: A History Of The World's Most Controversial Surgery: The historical roots of circumcision as a rite of passage are traced, beginning with ancient cultures to the 19th century when it became more prevalent due to the American medical profession exaggerating its health benefits, according to this author. The procedure became a mark of class distinction, and the practice became commonplace despite its dangers, he states.
- Say No to Circumcision: 40 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Respect His Birthright and Keep Your Son Whole: Here, you can read the author's denunciation of routine infant circumcision and read descriptions as well as view pictures of the actual surgical procedure.
- Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma: How an American Cultural Practice Affects Infants and Ultimately Us All: Here Dr. Ronald Goldman discusses the psychological and social aspects of circumcision and examines its long-term effects on both individuals and society.
- Doctors Re-Examine Circumcision: "Misinformation and ignorance that is floating about America" is addressed by doctors who try to convince parents against the procedure.
- The Joy of Uncircumcising: This book covers the history, psychology, and myths about circumcision and asserts that it is a contra-indicated procedure.
- Circumcision Exposed: Rethinking a Medical and Cultural Tradition: The author explores why the United States is the only country in the world that circumsizes a majority of its male infants. It includes many aspects of the practice and its impact on sexuality.
Online Information
- Facing Circumcision: Eight Physicians Tell Their Stories: This is a video in which 8 doctors talk about why they feel pressured to perform the procedure. They discuss the dilemma they face, the pain they see inflicted, and the experience a baby has in associating pain with his mother.
- Doctors Opposing Circumcision - HIV/AIDS: In this video a doctor discusses the fact that circumcision is not an effective panacea for this disease.
- The Case Against Circumcision: Downloadable in PDF format from Mothering magazine are articles that include: "Whose decision is it?," "Cutting Kids," and "Why the Pain of Circumcision Lasts Far Longer Than the Procedure."
- Doctors Opposing Circumcision Letters: Doctors Opposing Circumcision is a global physicians association that condemns the implementation of nontherapeutic infant circumcision. Here, they share letters to the editors of medical journals regarding the drawbacks of circumcision.
- Helping Parents Decide: The reasons that circumcision should be postponed are simply common sense, according to this fact-based advice for parents.
Anti-Circumcision Initiatives
- San Francisco Ban on Circumcision Ballot Measure: This ballot measure is the United States' first public vote on what has been deemed a private family matter. The proposal appears on the November 2011 ballot. It prohibits circumcision for males under the age of 18 in San Francisco. Doing so would be a misdemeanor offense with no religious exemptions.
- Male Genital Mutilation Bill: A bill submitted to congress and 14 state leislatures on Jan. 10, 2011. Bill sponsors state that, "We call on members of congress to pass the MGM Bill so that boys may enjoy the same protection from circumcision as girls."
- Doctors Reject Circumcision as a Prevention Against HIV Infection: This is a formal statement by Doctors Opposing Circumcision that challenges the claim that male circumcision prevents female-to-male infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Declaration of the First International Symposium on Circumcision: As a result of an international symposium held in Anaheim, California, and attended by experts in many fields, this declaration was adopted in 1989.
Further Resources
- Whose Body Whose Rights?: A downloadable video documentary that explores the circumcision of "unconsenting" children and reflects upon the practice in terms of culture and self examination.
- Circumcision Quiz: Take this quiz and find out whether you believe the myths that many doctors believe, or whether you are an informed layperson or a "foreskin-friendly" physician who knows and understands the scientific facts about circumcision.
- Understanding the Intact: A video and still photos of a circumcision performed in Toronto in 1998. It is done with a clamp and local anesthetic, although it states that in the United States, the majority are done without any anesthetic.
- Birth As We Know It: A video clip of an actual infant male circumcision from the documentary film "Birth As We Know It."
- Circumcision: Medical or a Human Rights Issue?: An article that confronts a number of myths surrounding circumcision from a human rights perspective.