In the United States, over the past 100 years, the genitally altered (circumcised) penis has come to be considered the “normal” penis.
Many Americans have never seen an intact (not circumcised) penis, with its normal foreskin in place, or know basic penis anatomy. This is not surprising, given the prevalence of foreskin removal in this country: Around three-quarters of adult men have only a scar where their foreskin used to be.
The circumcised versus uncircumcised debate continues unabated and is one of the most controversial maternity topics.
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Sex and genitalia are still taboo topics in many circles. Many women still think of the intact penis as “gross.” Dating back to its Puritan roots, U.S. culture is still heavily influenced by a morality that discourages open discussion and education about sex and sexual body parts. This is ironic, given the hypersexuality on display in our movies, music, advertising, and (more secretly) a massive pornography industry.
Male child genital cutting (aka newborn circumcision) continues despite the fact that neither the American Medical Association (AMA), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Nurses Association (ANA), nor the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend the perinatal procedure.
But times are changing. The good news is that if we can get people’s attention and tell them our stories, many will begin to think about the foreskin in a new way. Help us to spread the word! In addition to the information on this website, check out and send your friends and family members to our companion site, The Circumcision Debate, to help them learn what they need to know to get on board.