Landmark new study reveals the mental harms of circumcision
Why it’s time we break the silence and listen to survivors
Circumcision is often presented as a routine medical procedure, a harmless cultural or religious rite of passage. But what if it weren’t so simple? What if for some it left a scar deeper than the one on their body? A new study by Leeanne Morris published in Culture, Health & Sexuality, challenges society’s silence on the mental harms of circumcision.
Through a series of in-depth interviews, Morris amplifies the voices of men who have experienced mental health impacts from medically unnecessary childhood circumcision. Her findings reveal experiences of grief, trauma, and struggles with identity, which many circumcised men find difficult to articulate, let alone find support for.
The ‘unspoken grief’ of circumcision
Morris identifies three overarching themes in her research, with the first and most profound being disenfranchised grief. When acknowledged by society, grief allows people to process loss. But for these men, their grief is unrecognised, silenced, and at times ridiculed.
Some tried to speak to their families about their circumcision only to be met with dismissal or even laughter.
Others found media and cultural narratives minimised their experience and reinforced the idea their pain wasn’t valid. They described feeling stuck in an endless cycle of searching for meaning. Why was this done to them? Why wasn’t their body left intact?
These men feel isolated because society doesn’t acknowledge the harms they’ve experienced. How could it when we almost never speak about circumcision? Its sexual and religious undertones don’t exactly make for easy conversation. But as difficult as it might be, it’s a conversation we have to have if these men are ever to find closure.
Betrayal and spiritual divorce
The second theme explores the impact circumcision has on relationships. Many participants experienced spiritual divorce — an emotional severing of ties, particularly with their parents, whom they saw as having failed to protect them. One man recalled confronting his parents about his circumcision. His mother burst into tears, claiming not to remember, while his father laughed and left the room.
This sense of betrayal extended beyond family. Some study participants lost trust in the medical profession because they had been subjected to an unnecessary procedure without consent. One even recounted a near-death experience after avoiding medical care because of his deep mistrust of doctors. Others reported being disillusioned with religion and viewed circumcision as an unnecessary and harmful act perpetuated by faith.
Then there is the impact on intimacy. Some men described anxiety in sexual relationships, being worried what partners might think of their circumcised status, or of how it could impact their ability to perform. One shared that he was ashamed of his body, and another that he avoided relationships because he found it difficult to trust partners, perhaps because the trust placed in his parents had been broken when they circumcised him.
A life of navigating trauma
The third theme focuses on these men navigating their change in worldview and experiences of circum-trauma — a term used to describe the ongoing psychological impact of circumcision.
School-age experiences proved formative, as boys discovered their bodily difference in locker rooms and showers. For some this led to bullying and a persistent sense of not belonging. One participant described his circumcision as a “badge of shame”, a mark that made him feel abnormal compared to his peers.
The mental distress extended into adulthood. Participants said the circumcision scar and physical discomfort are constant reminders of what was done to them. One spoke of a recurring nightmare in which his penis had detached from his body, leaving him desperately trying to reattach it.
Finding a path forward
Morris’ study highlights these men’s suffering but it also underscores the urgent need for change, including a more informed and compassionate approach by mental health professionals; one grounded by an understanding of the functions of the foreskin and circumcision trauma.
Recognising circumcision-related distress as disenfranchised grief could help validate the experiences of affected men. Attachment-based therapy might also be beneficial in addressing feelings of betrayal and loss of agency.
Morris recommends integrating grief counselling techniques and trauma-informed therapy including group therapy and peer support, which is exactly the kind of support service my colleagues and I are working to establish at The Darbon Institute.
Breaking the silence
Many circumcised men do not experience mental harms, and that’s great for them. But for those who struggle with its impact, there must be space to speak, be heard, and find support. Only when the harms these men have experienced are acknowledged can they find closure.
Morris’ research gives voice to those who have the most important stake in the circumcision debate — the survivors of this harmful practice. Her study shines a light on circumcision harms and is a step towards us breaking the silence that perpetuates them. Now it’s up to the rest of us to listen.
Jonathan Meddings is the Chair of The Darbon Institute and author of The Final Cut: The truth about circumcision (Get your copy: Affiliate link)
Watch Morris present her findings at the 27th Congress of the World Association of Sexual health:
