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.
Consultation and Counseling
For circumcised men and expectant parents
Sign Our Petition
Urge media to tell the whole story!
Educate Yourself
Get books, DVDs, CDs, and more
Volunteer
Help protect the next generation
Contact Policy Makers
Speak out before it's too late
Tell a Friend About Us
And those who may have future children
Talk About Circumcision
Our tips can turn discomfort into power
"What's done to children, they will do to society."
"Parents do not know what they are choosing, and physicians do not feel what they are doing."
"In response to circumcision, the baby cries a helpless, panicky, breathless, high-pitched cry!...[or] lapses into a semi-coma. Both of these states...are abnormal states in the newborn."
"Doctors who circumcise are the most resistant to change. They will not admit that they made a critical mistake by amputating an important part of the penis."
"In this case, the old dictum 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' seems to make good sense."
"A whole life can be shaped by an old trauma, remembered or not."
"If we are to have real peace, we must begin with the children."
"We are interconnected. When a baby boy's sexuality is not safe, no one's sexuality is safe."
Welcome to CRC
The Circumcision Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) 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. 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.
Our Directors (most are Jewish) and Professional Advisory Board members consist of researchers and clinicians in the fields of medicine, mental health, and social science. Ronald Goldman, Ph.D., is the Executive Director. We are pleased to have participated in over 200 television, radio, magazine, and newspaper interviews and have contributed to many books, periodicals, and newspapers. We also provide consultation, counseling, and referrals and lectures, seminars, and publications.
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 read our information. Your child's physical, sexual, and emotional health depend on your being informed.
Our Perspective
- 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.
- Our information is based on a review of medical and psychological
literature and our own research and
experience. - We encourage visitors to seek other sources of information and come to their own conclusions.
For more discussion of our perspective, please see Cultural and Medical Bias and Why Many Other Sources (Even Reputable Ones) are Misleading.
SPECIAL ARTICLE How Male Circumcision Harms Women
Learn about the hidden negative psychological and sexual effects of circumcision and how these effects harm women in relationships with men. This article is based on research reports in the medical and psychological literature.
PERSONAL ESSAY Confessions of a Circumcised Man
A revealing account of how color-blindness relates to circumcision, and
recognition of sexual loss leads to a difficult path of
self-discovery.
NOTICE NEW: Circumcision, Persistent Crying (Colic), and Parental Stress
What's New
NEW: Petition Urges Media to Report Circumcision Harm, Not Just "Benefits"
We have a new petition that targets the major American media networks for publishing pro-circumcision articles on debatable studies and ignoring the physical, sexual, and psychological harm of circumcision. Tell them to meet their professional and ethical obligations to tell the whole story! Please click the link above to read more and sign. Then tell others to sign, too.
U.S. Circumcision Rate Reported at 32.5%
As reported in the New York Times, a federal health researcher stated in July, 2010, 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.
NEW: Bill to Restore Medicaid Funding of Circumcisions in Colorado Dies
Huffington Post Article by Ronald Goldman, Ph.D. Receives Over 1400 Comments
NEW: Circumcision of Young Boys for Religious and Non-Medical Reasons Ought to be Banned in Sweden, Urged the Swedish Paediatric Society
Study Reports 1/3 of Circumcisions Required Surgical Revisions or Intervention
Circumcision Associated with Adult Difficulty in Identifying and Expressing Feelings and Circumcised Men 4.53 Times More Likely to Use Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
More Ethical Questions About Circumcision
Circumcision Associated with Sexual Difficulties in Men and Women
A new national survey in Denmark, where about 5% of men are circumcised, examined associations of circumcision with a range of sexual measures in both sexes. Circumcised men were more likely to report frequent orgasm difficulties, and women with circumcised spouses more often reported incomplete sexual needs fulfillment and frequent sexual function difficulties overall, notably orgasm difficulties, and painful sexual intercourse.
Circumcision in Africa Will Increase HIV Infections
A detailed analysis explores several fundamental flaws in recommending circumcision to prevent HIV transmission. Other solutions are less expensive, more effective, and less invasive.
NPR Ombudsman Agrees with Circumcision Resource Center's Dr. Ronald Goldman That Their Circumcision Reporting is One-SidedNational Public Radio (NPR) routinely reports only one side of the circumcision controversy. When we recently noted an example and called the NPR ombudsman, she agreed in a 9/9/10 column that the news report was one-sided. NPR still declines to publish an article with another view or broadcast a followup story about the harm of circumcision.
PBS Ombudsman Refuses to Acknowledge NewsHour Bias on Circumcision Reports
Michael Getler, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) ombudsman, was contacted about the one-sided PBS circumcision reports. He refused to express an opinion about the lack of balance and would not seek complete, direct responses from the NewsHour, which had eight pro-circumcision statements or reports about circumcision and no critical information about circumcision.
Colorado to Cease Coverage of Medicaid Circumcisions
Over one-third (18) of all state Medicaid programs do not cover circumcisions. Is your state one of them? Find out.