The first intensive exploration of the unrecognized psychological and social aspects of this increasingly controversial American cultural practice. Endorsed by dozens of professionals in psychology, psychiatry, child development, pediatrics, obstetrics, childbirth education, sociology and anthropology.
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"What's done to children, they will do to society."
"Parents do not know what they are choosing, and physicians do not feel what they are doing."
"In response to circumcision, the baby cries a helpless, panicky, breathless, high-pitched cry!...[or] lapses into a semi-coma. Both of these states...are abnormal states in the newborn."
"Doctors who circumcise are the most resistant to change. They will not admit that they made a critical mistake by amputating an important part of the penis."
"In this case, the old dictum 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' seems to make good sense."
"A whole life can be shaped by an old trauma, remembered or not."
"If we are to have real peace, we must begin with the children."
"We are interconnected. When a baby boy's sexuality is not safe, no one's sexuality is safe."
More Ethical Questions About Circumcision
Why do some doctors and nurses refuse to participate in circumcisions?
1. How does our perception of the humanity, capabilities, sensitivities, and awareness of a newborn infant affect how we feel about the ethics of circumcision?
2. What is the experience of circumcision like for the newborn infant?
3. How do we feel applying the Golden Rule to circumcision?
4. If we do not recognize the harm of circumcision, does that mean it does not exist?
5. When doctors circumcise are they complying with their ethical principle, "First, do no harm"?
6. What if circumcision conflicts with fundamental ethical principles?
7. How may perceived quantitative factors (e.g., time involved, amount of cutting, etc.) affect ethical opinions regarding circumcision?
8. How could psychological resistance, circumcision status, and circumcision status of our children inhibit discussion of ethical considerations about circumcision?
9. How are ethical considerations about circumcision influenced by what is culturally and religiously acceptable?
10. How does the influence of secular and religious authorities affect how we feel about the ethics of circumcision?
11. Why do some doctors and nurses refuse to participate in circumcisions?
12. What ethical conflicts are leading more Jews, including rabbis, to question and forgo circumcision?
13. How do the feelings of dissatisfied circumcised men affect ethical considerations about circumcision?
14. What about the ethics of ignoring conflicts of interest of researchers and policy-makers, withholding information by media outlets, and preventing open debate about circumcision?Ethical Questions
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