This page lists articles which have appeared in the press. For articles from medical journals, please see the Circumcision Information Library or consult MedLine. For articles on the subject from the francophone press, please see the list of French articles. .

The Foreskin Saga
In his February 2000 article in GQ magazine, John Sedgwick takes a look at foreskin restoration and the movement against male circumcision.

When do you want your sons circumcised?
The powerful personal story of one mother’s haunting regrets about allowing her own judgement to be overruled by medical personnel. By Toronto writer Diane Mason, this article appeared in the Globe and Mail on June 10, 1999.

Minnesota Parent Online: The Final Cut
This article by Katie Allison Granju in the June 1999 issue of Minnesota Parent is an up-to-date and factual review of the phenomenon of infant male circumcision in the U.S. Interviews with parents show that despite medical opinion against the procedure, the decision continues to be a difficult one. Excellent sidebar on care of the intact and circumcised infant.

Do uncircumcised penises have more fun?
The September 1999 issue of Men's Fitness Magazine has an article by R. Daniel Foster called “an unflinching look at the pros and cons of circumcision.”

When the male equipment fails
The February 22, 1999 edition of Maclean's magazine, “Canada's weekly newsmagazine,” places a special emphasis on men's health. Author Mark Nichols discusses several factors which can have a negative impact on sexuality. Along with erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and concerns about penis size, the issue of circumcision is raised as a possible contributor to male sexual dysfunction.

Controversy over circumcision heightened in US after report
Despite the recent AAP and CPS statements which do not recommend infant circumcision, changing the attitudes and behaviours of physicians and parents is slow. This Boston Globe article from July 25, 1999 reports that physicians still perform circumcisions for non-medical reasons, often without anaesthesia. “I think it’s not necessary,” says one physician who has performed about 3000 circumcisions. “It’s cosmetic. If parents ask me if I think it’s necessary, I often try to talk them out of it.” Yet some physicians seem uncomfortable with presenting information that may challenge conventional beliefs. The chief of obstetrics at Boston's prestigious Brigham and Women's Hospital became enraged upon hearing that a nursing student was planning a talk on the subject. “Oh, my God,” Diane Simard said. “I was scared, he was so angry. He was in my face. He said it was too controversial and he didn’t want parents to see this.”

Boosted by doctors and changing mores, advocates battle a rite
Article from the AP newswire by Michelle Boorstein, 8 April 1999. The curious persistence of circumcision despite its lack of medical benefits and potential harm and has puzzled this reporter. She examines possible reasons, as well as evidence that the tide may be turning in the U.S., the only country to routinely circumcise the majority of male infants without medical or religious reasons.

A Delicate Tissue
Josey Vogels addresses the circumcision issue from a woman's point of view in her weekly column My Messy Bedroom, in the March 18, 1999 issue of Montreal's HOUR magazine. Due to the large volume of responses received, she devoted a follow-up column, Back to Foreskins, (April 1) to reader responses to her earlier column.

Separated at Birth: Men's Health magazine
This article in the July/August 1998 issue confronts many of the myths associated with male circumcision. The author does not shy away from difficult aspects including just what happens during circumcision (with photos), reasons used to justify the procedure, and sexual satisfaction.

The Case Against Circumcision (off site)
by Pediatrician Dr.Paul M. Fleiss. Published in Mothering: The Magazine of Natural Family Living, Winter 1997, pp. 36--45.

Circumcision traditions challenged
Columnist Desiree Cooper writes in her Detroit Free Press column of March 8, 1999 about the taboo against daring to compare elements of female and male circumcision.

Don't Believe the Knife: Circumcision is a Bad Habit
Article by Trudy Goldenberg in the February 1999 issue of Vice magazine (Montreal).

Montreal ethicist calls circumcision ‘criminal assault’ (off site)
One of the country’s leading medical ethicists says circumcision of baby boys is criminal assault and that doctors should stop performing it. Article in the Friday October 17, 1998 issue of The Ottawa Citizen.

U.S. anti-circumcision activist cheers Canadian’s attack on practice
In the Saturday, October 18, 1999 edition of The Ottawa Citizen, reporter Sharon Kirkey interviews American anti-circumcision activist Marilyn Milos about her reactions to comments by one of Canada’s leading medical ethicists who calls non-medical infant male circumcision technically criminal assault.

Is Circumcision Really Necessary?
Article in the Toronto Star, March 12, 1999.

Baby’s pain sensitizes it to future pain
New research from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children shows effects of circumcision pain not ‘short-lived.’ From The Medical Post, March 18, 1997.

Male Circumcision: A Gender Perspective
This article examines the history and continuing debate surrounding this surgery, and places it within the context of gender identity. From The Journal of Men’s Studies, Volume 6, Number 2, Winter 1998, pp. 189-208.

Foreskin far from useless, HSC pathologist says: Finding sheds light on ‘unkindest cut’.
Article from the Winnipeg Free Press, 25 July 1996 (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) on the findings of Dr. John Taylor, published in the British Journal of Urology.

Neonatal Circumcision Revisited (abstract only).
Official statement of the Canadian Pædiatric Society. Can Med Assoc Journal 15 Mar, 1996; 154(6), 769-780. (Full text here).

Circumcision No Longer a Popular Choice.
Article from The Gazette (Montreal), Aug. 27, 1995.

“I think this child has an infected penis after neonatal circumcision...”
A horrendous circumcision complication which occurred at Seattle's Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center, presented as a case report at a Dept. of Surgery meeting. Warning: disturbing photos.

A Tragedy Yields Insight Into Gender
A circumcision tragedy provides new insight into gender. From Rolling Stone, Dec 11, 1997. Another brief article on the same case from Newsweek magazine.