During the months of September and October, Psychology Today, will be running a six part series on circumcision. Covering commonly held myths in North America, as well as social, sexual, medical and psychological aspects of male genital cutting, and ethical and economic concerns, this series promises to be research-based and up to date. The articles will be published under the direction of Dr. Darcia Narvaez, Ph.D., who serves as an Associate Professor of Psychology, and the Director of the Collaborative for Ethical Education at the University of Notre Dame. We encourage readers to investigate all parts in the series and continue your research to further your education and understanding of male circumcision in North America today.
Psychology Today: Circumcision Series
Part 1: Myths About Circumcision You Likely Believe
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201109/myths-about-circumcision-you-likely-believe
Part 2: More Circumcision Myths You May Believe: Hygiene and STDs
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201109/more-circumcision-myths-you-may-believe-hygiene-and-stds
Part 3: Circumcision: Social, Sexual, Psychological Realities
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201109/circumcision-social-sexual-psychological-realities
Part 4: Circumcision Ethics and Economics
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201109/circumcision-ethics-and-economics
Part 5: What Is the Greatest Danger for an Uncircumcised Boy? http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201110/what-is-the-greatest-danger-uncircumcised-boy
Part 6: Why Continue to Harm Boys from the Ignorance of Male Anatomy
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201110/why-continue-harm-boys-ignorance-male-anatomy
2/7/12 Update: Dr. Gad Saad published a piece with Psychology Today also covering circumcision. See: Male Circumcision and Quality of Sex Life (For Both Sexes)
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/homo-consumericus/201202/male-circumcision-and-quality-sex-life-both-sexes
9/16/12 Update: Dr. Narvaez covers ethical issues in pediatric medicine, pointing out concerns with the crisis in healthy baby sleep and genital autonomy: What Happened to Ethics in Pediatric Medicine? http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201209/what-happened-ethics-in-pediatric-medicine
For books written by Darcia Narvaez, and contact information, find her here at Psychology Today.
Also by Narvaez at DrMomma.org:
Where Are All the Happy Babies?
The Dangers of Crying It Out
Additional information on the prepuce (foreskin), intact care and circumcision at Are You Fully Informed?
Request a circumcision information pack of research materials here.
~~~~
Can you recommend an article I can take to our son's doctor that supports that fact that he shouldn't try to retract him? The fifth installment here says that, but seems like it could be a bit inflammatory. I want to present the truth, but keep the doc on my side. I've had to stop him from retracting more than once, but don't feel I have to switch doctors since he is supportive of our other alternative choices, and most doctors in this area would not be. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Previous poster - there are several items regarding forced retraction that may interest you linked on this page: http://www.drmomma.org/2009/06/how-to-care-for-intact-penis-protect.html Specifically under "Forced Retraction: Now What?" there is a link to the Doctors Opposing Circumcision Statement that may be useful, as well as an article about the epidemic of forced retraction that your physician may be interested in reading in his/her own time and doing some more research on. Most physicians are well meaning, they simply have not had the opportunity to explore this subject further, and were not given training on the intact child in medical school.
ReplyDeleteEven if your physician does not wish to look into the subject (hopefully s/he will), as a professional, s/he should still respect your wishes as a parent to not touch or move the prepuce on your son during checkups. This is basic and unnecessary. If something was ever 'wrong' you would know.