Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma

by Ronald Goldman

CIRCUMCISION: THE HIDDEN TRAUMA is the first intensive exploration of the unrecognized psychological and social aspects of this increasingly controversial American cultural practice. The book has been endorsed by dozens of professionals in psychology, psychiatry, child development, pediatrics, obstetrics, childbirth education, sociology, and anthropology.

Without much knowledge, the American public generally assumes that our cultural practice of circumcision is a trivial and benign procedure. As discussed in CIRCUMCISION: THE HIDDEN TRAUMA, plain facts and recent research results conflict with these beliefs and raise questions. Dr. Goldman's application of psychological and social research coherently explains both the tenacity of the practice and the contradictory information and beliefs about it.

Genres: Health, Psychology, Parenting

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Ronald Goldman, PhD is an award-winning psychologist, researcher, author, speaker, and consultant. His research includes numerous contacts with medical and mental health professionals, parents, and children. His writing has appeared in newspapers, textbooks, and professional journals. He has participated media interviews and made presentations to professionals, universities, conferences, organizations, and others. Dr. Goldman’s book is "The Empathy Evolution: Preventing Violence, Racism, Political Corruption, and Mental Illness by Creating More Caring People."

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is written very factually, but somehow, Goldman also gets in there "soft" insights about how circumcision effects us all in ways that are not necessarily measurable. its wonderful how his outlook includes not just measurements but also large picture questions about circumcision and feeling, society, culture, conformity. he asks us to think about violence in America, and also for doctors to trust their feelings. i love that part. the loss of a star is far the repetitiveness chapters can get into. although i like the bullet point summaries at the end of chapters.

[K-$unny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for everyone in the United States.

[DW Rowlands · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully-detailed and well-referenced account of the history and sociology of and harm caused by the American practice of infant male genital mutilation. I'm buying a copy to have on hand as a reference. I only wish there was a newer edition, since this is twenty years old and some updates would probably be helpful.