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WHAT THE SURVEY TELLS US TO EXPECT AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO
The survey reveals a significant and growing shift in men’s attitudes about circumcision that is being ignored by the medical communities where it's practiced. It can no longer be confidently assumed that circumcision of an otherwise healthy boy will be viewed by him later as beneficial. These men will undoubtedly increase pressure on circumcising societies to affirm male genital integrity and autonomy. Legal action is inevitable.
The survey findings also suggest that professional, financial - and in rare and extreme cases - personal harm to circumcisers remain within the realm of possibility.
Are we surprised that no formal scientific research into circumcision's long-term consequences to men is being conducted in one of the world's largest circumcising societies - the USA?
It's time for the world medical community to begin vigorously challenging the vested interests of North Americans whose medical, psychological and sexological fields are inescapably composed of the following individuals:
- men, irrespective of religion, who were circumcised as infants and are ignorant of or in denial of their own harm
- women who's only likely sexual experiences have been with circumcised men
- mothers and fathers who've allowed their own children to be circumcised
- women and men who - consciously or not - bear the weight of culture or religion by ignoring the harm simply to justify their traditions
It is the unfortunate burden of European and other non-circumcising societies
to conduct the research that North Americans are resistant to do.How does neonatal brain/CNS integrity compare before and after circumcision?
Are some brain and behavioural deficits related to the trauma of neonatal circumcision?
Does brain activity during sexual arousal differ between circumcised and intact males?
How does infant circumcision and/or restoration affect adult sexual response and self-esteem?
Do the duration/modality/quality of foreplay and intercourse differ between circumcised and intact men?
Do levels of sexual compulsivity differ between circumcised and intact males?
How does male circumcision affect female sexuality?
Which cognitive and/or non-cognitive motivations must be addressed to break the intergenerational cycle of male genital abuse?
European societies must lead the way in protecting genital autonomy
and show how it can be achievable without impugning any race or religion.- National and international medical associations and human rights organizations must adopt and implement gender-neutral policies protecting the inherent rights of all children to bodily integrity and genital autonomy
- International monetary and non-monetary support must be given to children’s advocates who are educating their respective societies about genital autonomy and the rights of children of both sexes.
- Medical communities must refrain from participating in or facilitating customs of genital cutting and the principal of genital autonomy must be taught in all ethics programmes of medical schools.
- Medical schools and continuing education programs must teach the anatomy, physiology, development and proper care of intact genitals as well as emphasize non-surgical alternatives to preventing and treating genital diseases.
- The AAP says: “It is important that clinicians routinely inform parents of the health benefits and risks of male newborn circumcision” NO! Medical associations must be pro-active in dispelling parents’ unreasonable medical/social fears about intact genitalia.
- Hospitals must cease soliciting parents for circumcision of their newborns.
- Peer support models must be developed to assist physicians in resisting parental requests for non-therapeutic circumcision and to address physician fears of losing respect or income if they choose not to offer circumcision.
Copyright 2011-2012 Global Survey of Circumcision Harm. All Rights Reserved.