Wall St. Journal Publishes Circumcision Debate

Goldman described circumcision as "painful and traumatic," leading to behavioral changes, and having dozens of risks, including death. According to Goldman, "Circumcision removes over a third of the erogenous tissue on the penile shaft, including several kinds of specialized nerves. The adult foreskin, a double-layer movable sleeve of about 12 square inches, enhances sexual pleasure and facilitates intercourse." Circumcision diminishes the sexual experience for males and females.

Some circumcised men and clinicians report psychological harm, said Goldman, including "anger toward parents and others, sexual anxieties, reduced emotional expression and empathy, low self-esteem and avoidance of intimacy." Goldman stated that other circumcised men may seem satisfied because they don’t know what they’re missing.

Other potential harms have not been studied. They include possible connections between circumcision trauma and autism and ADHD, both three or four times more common in boys, male infant mortality, and brain changes. Goldman noted that researchers avoid these studies because they tend to look for benefits of circumcision. Being circumcised has been shown to contribute to the bias of doctors and possibly researchers.

About CRC

The Circumcision Resource Center is a nonprofit educational organization with the purpose of informing the public and professionals about the practice of male circumcision. Its mission is to raise awareness and facilitate healing. Since 1991, the Center has been a valuable source of male circumcision information for parents and children's advocates; childbirth educators and allied professionals; medical, mental health, and academic people; Jews; and others. Dr. Goldman has participated in over 200 media interviews with local and national radio and television shows, newspapers, and periodicals. He also gives lectures and seminars on circumcision and counsels parents and circumcised men.