Circumcision Resource Center

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Jewish Circumcision

WE PROVIDE

We do not offer
medical advice

The contents of this website are for information only and are not intended to replace consultation with the appropriate medical practitioner.

Important Notice

Were you circumcised as an infant between 1989 and 1999? Do you regret the circumcision? Do your parents believe they were misled by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1989 Circumcision Policy Statement and medical professionals? If yes, please contact us (see link at the top of this page).

U.S. Circumcision Rate Reported at 32.5%

As reported in the New York Times, a federal health researcher stated in July at the International AIDS Conference that the U.S. circumcision rate had fallen to 32.5 percent in 2009. The researcher works for the Centers for Disease Control. The numbers are based on calculations by SDI Health, a company in Plymouth Meeting, PA, that analyzes health care data.

ABOUT US

The Circumcision Resource Center is a nonprofit educational organization with the purpose of informing the public and professionals about the practice of male circumcision. Our mission is to raise awareness and facilitate healing. The Center is 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. Our Directors (majority is Jewish*) and Professional Advisory Board members (one-third is Jewish*) consist of researchers and clinicians in the fields of medicine, mental health, and social science.

Based on a review of medical and psychological literature and our own research and experience, we conclude that male circumcision causes serious, generally unrecognized harm and is not advisable. Circumcision is a social and psychological issue that is disguised as a medical issue.

* why we mention this

Circumcision:
The Hidden Trauma

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.

The arguments in favor of male circumcision are readily available and promoted in American media. Because the reasons to question male circumcision are not well known and do not fit into sound bites, they are the focus here. We encourage visitors to seek other sources of information and come to their own conclusions.

For more discussion of our perspective, please see About Cultural Bias and Why Many Other Sources, Even Reputable Ones, Are Misleading.

WHY NOT SAY "UNCIRCUMCISED"?

The term "uncircumcised" suggests that to be circumcised is the norm, the standard. This is an assumption made by a culture that practices male circumcision. However, nonreligious male infant circumcision is not "normal" in any culture outside of the United States. From a global perspective, to be "uncircumcised" is to be normal, the way males are born, and the way most of the world’s males remain.
As the American debate about male circumcision develops, the words "intact" and "natural" are being used in place of "uncircumcised" to reflect this global view. This website uses the three words interchangeably. "Intact" means "not altered, complete, whole." "Natural" means "formed by nature, inborn, in its original state." For various reasons, circumcising cultures generally do not recognize that the circumcised penis is not natural or intact.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Attitudes toward circumcision are changing because of new awareness. As a result, there is growing concern about this often misunderstood genital surgery. If you are considering circumcision for a child, please take the time to read below. Your child's health depends on your being informed.

Summary of General Circumcision Information

Why Many Other Sources, Even Reputable Ones, Are Misleading

Circumcision Advocates Fear Debate with Critics

SEXUAL EFFECTS

Functions of the Foreskin