Alexithymia and Circumcision Trauma: A Preliminary Investigation

From the link: http://www.mensstudies.com/content/2772r13175400432/?p=a7068101fbdd48819f10dd04dc1e19fb&pi=4

Abstract

This preliminary study investigates what role early trauma might have in alexithymia acquisition for adults by controlling for male circumcision. Three hundred self-selected men were administered the Toronto Twenty-Item Alexithymia Scale checklist and a personal history questionnaire. The circumcised men had age-adjusted alexithymia scores 19.9 percent higher than the intact men; were 1.57 times more likely to have high alexithymia scores; were 2.30 times less likely to have low alexithymia scores; had higher prevalence of two of the three alex-ithymia factors (difficulty identifying feelings and difficulty describing feelings); and were 4.53 times more likely to use an erectile dysfunction drug. Alexithymia in this population of adult men is statistically significant for having experienced circumcision trauma and for erectile dysfunction drug use.

Male Circumcision: A Legal Affront

A submission in December 1996 to the Law Commission for England and Wales in response to Consultation Paper Number 139 - Consent in the Criminal Law:

http://www.cirp.org/library/legal/price-uklc/

Royal Dutch Medical Association Launches Anti-Circumcision Campaign

“The debate on circumcision of boys will never be silenced, and it is now clear that in this debate, religious groups are not untouched. Among religious leaders, there is therefore the challenge, on pain of alienation from their own supporters, to take the time to look into a transition to alternative initiation rites with no irreversible adverse consequences for the child.

The government, the parliament and human rights organizations like the Children's Ombudsman, Pharos, Forum, the Johannes Wier Foundation and Amnesty International, have the responsibility to speak out against circumcision of boys as a violation of children's rights. Such statements of authoritative bodies may release a discussion within religious communities and to doubting parents an important support and backing.

The KNMG calls upon all these parties to assume their responsibilities in the effort to say goodbye to a painful and harmful ritual.”

Full article here: http://intactnews.org/node/128/1316026077/royal-dutch-medical-association-launches-anti-circumcision-campaign

Circumcision is Child Abuse: A Picture Essay

“There has got to be something very tragic, and very wrong, with a society impaired by its own cultural blinders. It is very disconcerting that while human rights advocates fly half-way around the globe to decry the genital mutilation of girls and women, the very same people display a willful ignorance to the genital mutilation of boys in their own countries. While their cameras faithfully bring back images of girls being restrained as they have part of their genitals forcefully cut off, they somehow fail to capture images of the boys who are enduring the same in the very same countries.

Every so often, we'll see pictures of the forced genital cutting of boys in the media, however the tone in presentation is different. While the presentation of the images of forced female genital cutting encourage an audience to deplore the actions depicted, the presentation of the images of forced male genital cutting encourage an audience to accept what they see in the scope of "cultural relativism." "Horror and torture" for girls and women, "the preservation of age-old coming-of-age tradition" in boys. Why the sexist double-think?

It is a glaringly obvious inconsistency to defend the forced genital cutting of one sex, but condemn it in the other, yet when advocates of human rights point out this inconsistency, we are often met with hostility. "How dare you compare male and female circumcision," retort some, especially those defending male infant circumcision, "they're not the same thing!" This is said in a matter-of-fact tone, as if these claims were immediately self-evident.

I must ask, on what are they basing these assertions? Of the people that make these claims, how many of them have actually witnessed a male circumcision, let alone a female one? Can these claims actually be substantiated, or do they expect us to take their word for it at face value? What double-think are they using to condemn the abuse of female children, while defending the abuse of male children?”

Full post (with pictures) continued here: http://joseph4gi.blogspot.com/2011/06/circumcision-is-child-abuse-picture.html

The Circumcision Referendum: A Liberal Jewish Perspective June 9th, 2011

“Orthodox Jews argue that prohibiting the circumcision of children would be a restriction on religious freedom. However, the state has regularly restricted religious freedom when it is felt that such practices would be deleterious to minors. The obvious example is the over-riding of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ ban on blood transfusions for their children. The issue with circumcision is not one of life and death*, but it does seem to me that the San Francisco referendum would not ipso facto be unconstitutional.

[…]

Despite having circumcised my two sons, the more I think about the issue, the more likely – were I a resident of San Francisco – I would support the referendum.”

Full writing here: http://www.sandfordborins.com/2011/06/09/the-circumcision-referendum-a-liberal-jewish-perspective/

*Note: Circumcision causes immediate damage to the penis, has resulted in numerous cases of botches which require surgery or additional medical treatment, and it has also been known to kill.

Male circumcision and sexual function in men and women

“CONCLUSIONS: Circumcision was associated with frequent orgasm difficulties in Danish men and with a range of frequent sexual difficulties in women, notably orgasm difficulties, dyspareunia and a sense of incomplete sexual needs fulfilment. Thorough examination of these matters in areas where male circumcision is more common is warranted.”

Further info here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=21672947

Global Survey of Circumcision Harm

“The Global Survey of Circumcision Harm (GSCH) was launched because the medical community has never investigated the long-term adverse physical, sexual, emotional or psychological consequences of infant/childhood circumcision on the health of adult men. This is due, in part, to many men with such harm not being comfortable enough to speak with others about these issues, or not being given a safe venue in which to document these adverse consequences. Until the medical community investigates these consequences, the internet remains an alternate venue offering these men the comfort level they require to document such harm.

The survey is a grassroots, all-volunteer effort to provide an online self-report and documentation method for any male who considers himself harmed by childhood genital cutting imposed on him without his fully informed consent. It is hoped that documenting such consequences and making the results publicly accessible through our related website (see below) will provide a starting point for dialogue about the long-term adverse consequences of male genital cutting. It is hoped that this harm will be investigated by medical communities and taken seriously by the societies where customs of male childhood genital cutting occur.”

Further info and survey here: http://circumcisionharm.info/

Time to ban male circumcision?

“If passed, article 50 will ban genital cutting for boys in San Francisco, with profound religious implications for Jews and Muslims. But isn't it time to oppose all circumcision?”

Full article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/jun/14/circumcision-ban-row-san-francisco

Beyond the Bris

“Welcome to Beyond the Bris, the web-based multimedia project that's putting real faces and voices to the current Jewish movement against circumcision. This dynamic site is being created by, for and about Jews who are united in our belief that cutting children’s genitals is wrong, regardless of their religion or gender. As our name implies, an increasing number of Jewish people are moving in a more ethical, more humanitarian and more Jewish direction: beyond the bris.”

Website here: http://www.beyondthebris.com/

The "Anti-Semite" Card No Longer Washes

“As predicted, the current bid to ban circumcision in San Francisco is causing commotion. And, as predicted, religious groups, particularly Jewish organizations, are working hard to condemn the measure as anti-Semitic. It seems circumcision advocates have found the perfect scapegoat, however, and they're milking it for everything it's worth.

The scapegoat in question is the latest issue of "Foreskin Man," a comic book that portrays a hero who saves defenseless babies from crazed maniacs intent on circumcising them. The villain in the latest issue happens to be a mohel, and the author's portrayal of him isn't exactly kosher. The imagery of the villain, or "Monster Mohel" as he is called, are very disturbing, because to some, it recalls Nazi German anti-Semitist propaganda.

Perhaps the creation of this comic wouldn't have garnered so much attention, if it weren't for the fact that the creator, Matthew Hess, also happens to be the president of MGM Bill, which is an organization working to enact legislation that would ban the circumcision of minors unless it is medically necessary. The comic book has become a lightning rod for criticism of not only the proposed ballot measure in San Francisco, but also for the entire intactivist movement as a whole. Opponents to the measure are waving it around as "proof" that intactivists are all anti-Semites, and now, instead of the issues, intactivists are fending off accusations of anti-Semitism.”

Full article here: http://joseph4gi.blogspot.com/2011/06/anti-semite-card-no-longer-washes.html

What is lost due to circumcision?

“Many people think circumcision removes nothing more than a little extra skin. The truth is that circumcision removes several critical components of male sexual anatomy. This list enumerates everything currently known to be lost when one is circumcised. Included are notes on whether these losses can or cannot be amended by foreskin restoration. 

The information contained in this list may be upsetting to some, but we feel it is important and necessary for those considering restoration to understand as fully as possible the anatomy/biology/neurology of what has been removed and/or destroyed.”

 

Continued here: http://www.norm.org/lost.html

Male circumcision is NOT associated with HIV or HSV-2

“In this study population, circumcision status was not associated with HIV or HSV-2 seroprevalence or current genital ulceration …

[…]

This study did not detect the expected association between male circumcision and HIV seropositivity …

[…]

… our ability to detect any association between genital herpes and circumcision status or preference for circumcised partners was improved - no association was found.” [emphasis added]

Full study here: http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0015552

Circumcision Legality/Consent Lawyers

“[T]here is a growing body of law to suggest that if you have been circumcised without  your consent (that is, even if your parents consented for you as a child), you can sue the doctor when you reach 18 years of age.  The laws here vary as well, but many states allow a six month to two year window from your 18th birthday to initiate litigation for any violations you suffer as a child.  If you had a circumcision performed on you for non-medical reasons, then it may qualify as a personal injury, regardless of parental consent.  This is especially true if you've suffered any physical, sexual or psychological problems resulting from your circumcision.  Time is of the essence for this type of litigation, so you should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.”

Further info: http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/circumcision-legalityconsent.html

 

“Compelling reasons exist for strong concern among attorneys and the public about the various types of damage caused by circumcision. These include pain and suffering, psychological harm, behavioral changes, irreversible reduction or loss of full sexual function, and underreported tragic complications, including deaths. Moreover, no satisfactory medical justification for routine circumcision has ever been demonstrated.”

Further info: http://www.arclaw.org/

CIRCUMCISION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM

“Circumcision is a euphemism for genital reduction surgery or genital mutilation, performed by medically-licensed or unqualified practitioners for various reasons. It is important to define it honestly, for that is how the mind interprets it, with or without superimposed denials, explanations and intellectualisations.

Many circumcisions are performed on children, who, by definition are not able to give informed consent of the kind available to adults. They are vulnerable to coercion and manipulation and generally have little say in what happens to their bodies medically & surgically. They are not usually allowed to say no to medical procedures because it is deemed that parents & doctors "know best". However, it is unlikely that any child, asked if they would like a person with a knife to cut off part of their penis, would agree to such an action. This would be a normal psychological reaction to the threat of attack and is overruled at some psychological cost.

When one's own natural tendency to protect oneself is rendered ineffective, one loses a sense of one's own power over one's destiny & survival, and a feeling of helplessness ensues. This occurs in situations of rape, torture and sexual abuse. In a situation where a person feels he or she cannot escape physical attack, the mind will "escape" by a process of "dissociation" - it is as if the mind leaves the body temporarily, so that the body can endure the attack, but the mind does not have to. On returning to the body, the mind may then be subject to unconscious repetitions of the traumatic memories in flashbacks or nightmares. These recurring images may be triggered by any situation which reminds the sufferer of the original traumatic event; a child who has been subjected to a painful surgical procedure in hospital may develop a phobia of hospitals or doctors or people in white coats. The child, or later the adult he grows into, may sweat, have palpitations, feel breathless, nauseated, panicky or dizzy at the thought of the trauma situation and try to avoid it happening again. This may lead to difficulty when medical attention is genuinely needed for a subsequent illness.”

Full article here:  http://www.norm-uk.org/circumcision_psychological_effects.html

Half of adult males carry HPV

“Male circumcision and the use of condoms have shown little protection against HPV infection”

Full article here: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/70435/title/Half_of_adult_males_carry_HPV

Physician's Group Applauds Oregon Supreme Court for Protecting Boy from Circumcision

“Doctors Opposing Circumcision (D.O.C.) celebrated the decision by the Oregon Supreme Court this week for the case of a 12-year-old Washington boy facing a religious circumcision, calling it a step forward for children's rights.

“We are pleased that the Oregon Supreme Court recognized this healthy child does not need this surgery and has a right to be heard, though we remain concerned he may have been manipulated,” said attorney John Geisheker, Director of D.O.C. “Nevertheless, this is a landmark step toward recognizing the separate rights of children. We applaud the Court for protecting this boy. There is no more important decision to make for a male child.””

 

Full article here: http://saleonl.com/online/90O114695331O3/1O6604239

Intactivists Push for State, Federal Bans on Infant Circumcision

“Intactivists from across the country are once again calling on state and federal lawmakers to prohibit circumcision of boys. Regional directors from the children’s rights group MGMbill.org submitted proposed bills to more than 2,800 legislators yesterday, urging them to extend the existing ban on forced female genital cutting to include males.”

Full article here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/mgmbill/pr22/prweb4960504.htm