The pediatrician continued his mutiliation as if nothing were happening. I almost vomited. The subject is so disagreeable that most people avoid it, both consciously and unconsciously through denial. Circumcision removes a normal, healthy, functioning part of the penis, a part which has as its purpose a protective role, and one of delicate sensitivity during sexual experience. This mutilation leaves a physical scar after the wound has healed.
Circumcision also leaves significant emotional and spiritual scars.
Sexual dysfunctions, depression, diminished body image, violence, avoidance of intimacy, emotional dis- tancing, etc., are all results. Gold-man suggests further awareness, deeper research, and discussion. A lthough long-term memory has been demonstrated behaviorally in monkeys, rats, migratory songbirds, snails, fruit flies, and ants, it seems inconceivable to me that we have persuaded ourselves that our own tiny and expressive infants have no memory of such a physical, psychological, and spiritual assault. Healing the children and ourselves will take awareness, responsibility, courage, and action. All rights reserved.