In 2022, I had the privilege of interviewing Georganne Chapin, the executive director of Intact America, to talk about a subject that too often gets overlooked in discussions about bodily autonomy, healthcare, and human rights—circumcision. Listen Here >>>Depths of Motherhood Podcast
I've resurfaced this conversation and created a written resource.
This topic needs to be discussed; it speaks to the heart of human rights, medical ethics, and the power of choice.
List of content
What is Circumcision?
Circumcision is the permanent removal of the foreskin from the penis. It's usually done shortly after birth and is often performed without the child's consent, raising concerns about bodily autonomy. Although some may see it as a cultural or religious practice, it is a procedure that involves irreversible alteration of the body, which has sparked a growing conversation about consent and individual rights.
Types of Circumcision:
The Gomco Clamp: The foreskin is clamped around its base, and a cap is placed over the glans to hold everything in place while the foreskin is removed.
The Mogen Clamp: The foreskin is separated from the glans, and the clamp is used to cut off the foreskin in one motion.
The Plastibell Method: Involves placing a plastic ring over the glans and tying off the foreskin to cut off the blood flow, which causes the foreskin to wither and fall off within 10-14 days.
What Happens When Circumcision Removes the Foreskin?
Circumcision permanently alters the structure of the penis, with various implications for both physical and emotional well-being. It's not just a random body part - it is a NEEDED part of the body.
Let's explore why:
1. Loss of Protection
What’s Removed: The foreskin serves as a protective sheath for the sensitive glans (head) of the penis.
Why It Matters: Without the foreskin, the glans is exposed to constant friction from clothing and environmental factors. Over time, this exposure can lead to keratinization (thickening and drying) of the glans, which reduces its natural sensitivity and makes the skin more resistant to irritation.
2. Loss of Lubrication
What’s Removed: The glands within the foreskin produce natural lubrication, often referred to as smegma.
Why It Matters: The absence of natural lubrication can result in dryness and discomfort during sexual activity. Smegma is a protective agent that helps reduce friction, shielding the delicate skin of the glans.
3. Reduction in Sensory Function
What’s Removed: The foreskin contains thousands of nerve endings, particularly in the inner foreskin and the ridged band, which is the highly sensitive edge of the foreskin.
Why It Matters: Removing these nerve-rich tissues permanently reduces the sensory experience, especially during sexual activity. This can diminish sexual pleasure and sensitivity, as the foreskin is designed to provide unique tactile feedback and increase sensitivity during physical intimacy.
4. Elimination of Mobility
What’s Removed: The foreskin allows for a natural gliding motion during sexual activity, which facilitates smoother movement.
Why It Matters: The gliding function helps reduce friction between the penis and its partner, making sexual activity more comfortable for both parties. Without this function, sexual activity can become less fluid and may require the use of artificial lubrication to compensate for the loss of mobility.
5. Structural and Aesthetic Changes
What’s Removed: The foreskin is an integral part of the natural anatomy of the penis.
Why It Matters: The removal of the foreskin alters both the physical appearance and the structure of the penis. Additionally, scar tissue may form at the circumcision site, potentially causing discomfort, pain, or complications such as adhesions and sensitivity changes.
Why This Is Important: The foreskin is not a redundant or unnecessary body part; it has specific and vital functions related to protection, sensation, and mobility.
Disruption of Natural Bacterial Balance
What’s Removed: The foreskin serves as a natural barrier that helps regulate the environment of the penis and protects it from harmful bacteria and pathogens.
Why It Matters: The foreskin helps maintain a healthy balance of bacteria, which is important for protecting against infections. When the foreskin is removed, this protective barrier is lost, making the glans more exposed to environmental bacteria. Additionally, the absence of the foreskin can increase the risk of certain infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), because the area becomes drier and less protected, leading to potential imbalances in the natural flora.
Myths About Circumcision (And the Truth Behind Them)
Medical professionals may present circumcision as a routine or beneficial procedure, but many claims are based on outdated beliefs or incomplete information. Here are some common myths surrounding circumcision and factual responses to each:
Myth 1: "It’s cleaner and prevents infections."
Reality: Proper hygiene makes circumcision unnecessary for cleanliness. Teaching boys how to wash their genitals is as effective as circumcision for preventing infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Myth 2: "It reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)."
Reality: While some studies suggest a slightly reduced risk of certain STIs like HIV in specific populations, these findings are not universally applicable and often involve adult circumcision in high-risk areas. Safe sex practices, like condom use, are far more effective in preventing STIs than circumcision.
Myth 3: "The baby won’t remember the pain."
Reality: Infants may not consciously remember the pain, but research shows that circumcision can cause significant distress and physiological responses to pain, including increased cortisol levels. Painful experiences in infancy may also contribute to long-term changes in pain sensitivity and emotional regulation.
Myth 4: "It’s just a little piece of skin."
Reality: The foreskin is not “just skin.” It is a specialized, functional part of the anatomy with thousands of nerve endings, protective properties, and a role in sexual sensation. Removing it permanently alters the structure and function of the penis.
Myth 5: "It’s quick, safe, and harmless."
Reality: Circumcision is a surgical procedure that carries risks, including excessive bleeding, infection, improper healing, and, in rare cases, more severe complications like penile damage. Additionally, circumcision removes sensitive tissue, which can impact sexual function later in life.
Myth 6: "It’s necessary for health reasons."
Reality: Routine circumcision is not medically necessary for healthy individuals. Most major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), do not recommend universal circumcision and consider it an elective procedure.
Myth 7: "It prevents penile cancer."
Reality: Penile cancer is extremely rare, even in uncircumcised men, especially with good hygiene. The potential risk reduction does not justify routine circumcision, as the disease can often be prevented through basic care and regular check-ups.
Myth 8: "It’s better to do it now before they’re older."
Reality: The idea that infants heal faster doesn’t negate the fact that they still experience pain and trauma. Waiting until a person can make their own informed decision respects their bodily autonomy and gives them the choice about an irreversible procedure.
Myth 9: "It’s what everyone does."
Reality: Circumcision rates vary widely by country and culture. In many parts of the world, circumcision is not the norm, and most males remain intact without any health or social issues.
Foreskin Too Tight?
It’s common to hear that a boy’s foreskin is "too tight" and needs intervention. However, a boy’s foreskin naturally becomes more flexible and retractable over time, with studies indicating that full retractability is typically achieved between ages 5 and puberty, with an average around age 10.4
Attempting to force retraction prematurely can cause pain, irritation, or even injury. The medical condition phimosis refers to the inability to retract the foreskin, but it is important to distinguish this from normal developmental tightness. True phimosis is rare in children and can often be treated without circumcision using non-invasive methods.
When Circumcision May Be Recommended
Circumcision is typically only necessary for severe cases that don't respond to less invasive treatments. Before proceeding, consider asking:
Have alternative treatments, like topical creams or stretching exercises, been explored?
Is the condition causing significant discomfort, pain, or infections?
Could natural development resolve the issue with time?
Cleaning a Boy’s Penis
Proper hygiene involves gently cleaning the external penis with water during regular baths. Do not forcibly retract the foreskin; this can cause damage. Once the foreskin becomes retractable on its own, teaching the child to clean under it as part of their routine hygiene is sufficient.
Unraveling Circumcision from a Psychological and Emotional Perspective
From a physiological standpoint, circumcision is a painful and invasive procedure. Even with anesthesia, it involves cutting away sensitive tissue from an area of the body that has a high concentration of nerve endings.
From a psychological and emotional perspective, the trauma caused by circumcision is often overlooked. For an infant, the experience can be confusing, frightening, and painful, leading to potential long-term emotional consequences. Babies have an instinctive understanding of their bodies, and the trauma of a surgical procedure can affect their developing sense of self and trust.
Some advocates argue that circumcision may lead to subconscious emotional struggles related to body image, boundaries, or feelings of violation, as the child has no control over this irreversible alteration to their body.
As children grow older and become more aware of their bodies, the experience of circumcision may surface as a source of confusion or distress. This is particularly true for boys who were circumcised without their consent and later come to recognize the procedure as a violation of their bodily autonomy. Many adults report feelings of anger, shame, or grief when they realize the extent of the decision made for them as infants.
Circumcision: Religious and Cultural
Circumcision is performed for various religious, cultural, and medical reasons, often during infancy or early childhood. For many, the decision is influenced by religious traditions, such as Judaism, where Brit Milah is performed on the eighth day of life as a sacred covenant, or Islam, where Khitan is widely practiced. Historically, Christianity observed circumcision, but it is no longer common in most denominations, though some groups with Jewish roots may continue the practice.
This topic can be particularly challenging as it intersects with deeply held beliefs, especially faith. Some parents may feel pressure to adhere to religious or cultural practices.
Alternative Practices in Judaism: Honoring Tradition Without Circumcision
In recent years, some Jewish families have chosen to explore alternatives to traditional circumcision (brit milah) to honor their faith while avoiding the physical alteration of the body. These families turn to practices that preserve the spiritual and cultural significance of the rite without performing surgery on the child. One of the most recognized alternatives is Brit Shalom, meaning "Covenant of Peace," a ceremony that maintains the welcoming and naming aspects of British Milah but excludes circumcision.
During a Brit Shalom, the child is formally named and welcomed into the Jewish community through blessings and prayers that emphasize their connection to their heritage and faith. This alternative ceremony often incorporates symbolic gestures, such as pouring water to represent purity or wrapping the child in a tallit (prayer shawl) to signify their inclusion in the covenant.
Advocates of Brit Shalom view it as a way to uphold Jewish tradition while respecting modern values of bodily autonomy and consent. These alternatives reflect an evolving approach within the Jewish community to balance religious identity with ethical considerations.
The Hidden Market: How Infant Foreskins Fuel Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Industries
Few people realize that infant foreskins removed during circumcision often find their way into cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, generating significant profits. These foreskins are rich in fibroblasts, specialized cells known for their ability to regenerate skin and boost collagen production.
Luxury skincare brands use these cells in anti-aging products, while pharmaceutical companies utilize them to create artificial skin for burn victims and as a foundation for medical research. Despite this widespread practice, parents are rarely informed that their child's foreskin could be sold and commercialized, raising questions about transparency and consent.
This hidden market exposes ethical concerns around commodification and bodily autonomy.
Know Your Rights: Making an Informed Decision
Parents have the right to make informed decisions about their child's health and well-being, including whether to consent to circumcision. It is important to know that circumcision is not medically or legally mandatory in most countries and that parents can choose to decline the procedure. Exploring all options and understanding the implications—both short- and long-term—can empower families to make decisions aligned with their values and the best interests of their children.
To help navigate this decision, numerous resources are available to provide comprehensive information about circumcision, its risks, and alternatives:
Intact America (www.intactamerica.org): Advocates for genital autonomy and provides educational resources about circumcision.
This Penis Business: A Memoir eBook : Chapin, Georganne, Garrett, Echo Montgomery: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store
Your Whole Baby (www.yourwholebaby.org): A nonprofit organization dedicated to informing parents about foreskin care and the natural functions of the intact body.
Doctors Opposing Circumcision (www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org): Offers medically backed resources to support parents in understanding the ethical and health implications of circumcision.
Peaceful Parenting (www.peacefulparenting.com): Focuses on holistic parenting and provides information about leaving boys intact.
The Importance of Education and Reflection: A Conversation Worth Sharing
When discussing circumcision with others, it’s essential to approach the topic with empathy and encourage open dialogue. Sharing educational resources, such as this blog, can help encourage informed decision-making. Parents often rely on tradition or medical advice without fully understanding the long-term physical and emotional effects of circumcision.
Taking the time to research the procedure’s risks, the natural functions of the foreskin, and the perspectives of adults who wish they hadn’t been circumcised can provide invaluable insights.
Thoughtful reflection is key. Asking questions like, “What if the child could choose for themselves later in life?” or “How would we feel about making an irreversible decision for our child?” can shift the conversation toward respecting bodily autonomy.
Healing the Relationship if You Regret the Decision
For parents who feel regret over deciding to circumcise their child, it’s important to remember that healing is possible. Acknowledging your feelings is the first step—regret often stems from a lack of information or pressure from cultural or medical norms. While you cannot undo the decision, you can focus on rebuilding trust and maintaining open, honest communication with your children as they grow.
When the time is right, discussing the decision with your child can help build understanding. Approach the conversation with vulnerability, acknowledging that the choice was made with the information you had at the time. Validate their feelings and provide space for them to express their thoughts. This dialogue can deepen your bond and show them that their autonomy and well-being are priorities moving forward.
Celebrating the Whole Body: Honoring Natural Anatomy
Embracing body acceptance starts with celebrating the natural design of the human body, and recognizing that every part has purpose and value.
Many families who chose to forgo circumcision have shared empowering stories of their decisions. For them, it was about preserving their child’s bodily autonomy and trusting in the body’s natural form.
One mother shared that after researching the topic, she felt it wasn’t her choice to make for her son and found peace in leaving him intact. Another family described how their decision strengthened their parenting philosophy of celebrating individuality and self-determination.
These positive experiences demonstrate that forgoing circumcision can align with values of respect, care, and acceptance. By celebrating the whole body, we embrace the idea that natural is not only enough—it’s something to cherish.
Thank you for supporting this creation; donations are welcome as a gesture of reciprocity for the lifeforce shared in creating this (Donation Link)
Love, Danielle
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