intact america
changing the way America thinks about circumcision
10 Out of 10 Babies Say NO to Circumcision
Male child genital cutting (aka circumcision) is a hotly debated issue. Your support for Intact America will help us to spread the message that circumcision of baby boys—and the men they will become—is harmful, unnecessary, and wrong.
Intact America® is the largest group working to end child genital cutting and to ensure healthy sexual futures for all people. We do this by challenging social and sexual norms, and empowering our supporters and volunteers through creative messaging, advocacy and education.
April 4 is Foreskin Appreciation Day
Often Maligned and Mocked by Americans, Foreskin Will Have Its Day, April 4! Intact America's First-Ever #ForeskinDay Aims to Raise Public Awareness and Appreciation of a Vital Body Part Valued by Intact Men and Their Partners Worldwide A High-Spirited Celebration Is...
“Do You Know?” About the Limits of Parental Consent
Many people believe that parents should be free to make any decision for their children whatsoever. However, there ARE limits to parental decision-making, and many of these are inscribed in law. For example: · It is illegal to tattoo a child, whether the child's...
Voices — Wiktoria Szczepanik
I found out about circumcision quite by accident while watching a Turkish show with my mother. I heard a new word that I didn't understand: "circumcision." I asked my mother what that meant. She answered that it meant cutting off a piece of the penis. I was shocked to...
Every man who has been circumcised has two stories…
…the one he can’t remember,
…and the one he can’t forget.
As a newborn, he probably will not recall being restrained, or his penis being clamped and cut (one in five men say they do remember it). What he is unaware of is that his brain may not develop normally because of the severe pain and trauma.
As a man, he might be reminded daily that his penis is not whole, not fully functional, and has a scar running around it. And he might know that he may still suffer from complications, like being at an increased risk for erectile dysfunction.
Four Reasons We Do This Work
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Three quarters of all American males are walking around today with an important part of their penis missing. Many are oblivious to the damage. All have been harmed, and they—and their sexual partners—have never had the chance to enjoy the protective and pleasurable qualities of the foreskin.
Mothers are solicited an average of eight times by doctors and nurses to agree to having their newborn sons circumcised. Peddling this unnecessary surgery is profiteering, violates the AMA’s code of ethics, and is illegal in many states.
Every day, thousands of newborn boys are forcibly restrained and their penises are surgically and permanently altered. Even if they receive pain relief during the procedure, circumcision is still painful and traumatic. Many boys will experience complications, some severe, and a few will die.
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Four out of ten intact (not circumcised) boys will experience having their foreskin forcibly torn from its foundation by misguided adults. This traumatic, painful and unnecessary action can lead to complications, such as bleeding, infection and eventual amputation of the foreskin. Early traumas are known to cause developmental and lifelong psychological problems.
MADE to STICK™
Foreskin Protection Campaign
Now, as more boys are remaining intact, more are at risk for Forced Foreskin Retraction (FFR). It is time for America to take a refresher course on penile care.
New to the Issue?
Visit our entry-level companion website where you can learn the history of circumcision in America and arguments for and against, plus a parent’s guide for talking about it with doctors.