Circumcision, the ongoing practice of surgically removing the foreskin from the male penis, has a history rooted in religious rituals, cultural traditions, and medical misinformation. Because this surgery is irreversible, with a few exceptions, it is crucial to critically examine and fully understand the pros and cons of this deeply ingrained practice. This article explores...
The economics of circumcision are entirely unfamiliar to the average person. However, considering that this surgery is permanent and cannot be undone, wouldn’t you want to know who benefits from it? (Hint: it isn’t you or your child.) Federal law prohibits the use of federal health care dollars for medically unnecessary services. Medicaid funding of...
A convergence of history, religion, medical misinformation, and perceived cultural norms has transformed the foreskin, a natural anatomical feature, into a battleground of controversy. In this article, we will look into the narrative of how the intact penis—meaning a penis with a foreskin versus a cut or circumcised penis—has been systematically subjected to shame and...
Donate Now Your mission-critical support will help end “routine” circumcision in the U.S.. Donate today to keep baby boys and the men they become intact. Donate Now Intact America operates as a not-for-profit organization based in Tarrytown, NY that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Other Ways to Give Your intactivism...
In mental health and therapy settings, the lifelong and life-altering impact of trauma—especially in babies and children, called adverse childhood experiences (ACE)—is becoming far more recognized. More and more therapists and psychologists are specializing in trauma-informed care. One area where there is great need, however, stands out for its neglect: Male circumcision trauma is treated...
According to the World Health Organization, approximately one-third of males around the world are circumcised, primarily for cultural reasons. Despite the commonality of circumcision in the United States—and other countries around the globe—this surgery comes with enormous, downplayed, and outright hidden risks. The purported benefits have been continually debunked and disproven, while the dangers of...
Forcible foreskin retraction, which is the practice of pulling back a child’s foreskin to any degree, is an issue in the United States. At Intact America, most of the complaints we have received about this practice come from parents of boys who have suffered from the irreversible harm caused by forcible foreskin retraction. Regrettably, these...
A birth plan checklist is a written document that states what you want and expect during your baby’s birth and post-delivery. It helps your medical team, partner, family, and friends understand your preferences and is your key to creating a personalized birthing experience. Working on a birth plan checklist will help you define and solidify...
Your search led you here to read about the pros and cons of circumcision, but the truth is, you’ve likely been lied to about the purported pros. Circumcision supporters claim that there are health benefits to this invasive, irreversible surgical procedure, but these have all been debunked. On the other hand, intactivists (advocates for keeping...
Botched circumcisions can have both serious immediate negative effects—blood loss and infection, for instance—and long-term devastating consequences, like gender reassignment and death. How often does this happen? We don’t know. Intact America Founding Executive Director Georganne Chapin reports in her book This Penis Business (Lucid House Publishing, 2024) that the 2012 American Academy of Pediatrics...
