How can I get support & guidance?
Everyone has a responsibility to inform themselves before making a decision related to circumcision. We can also help people get support and information if you contact us directly.
New Parents
New Mothers or Grandmothers
- There is a parents' guide page with more details available.
- Mothers need to know what the procedure entails — it's not just a little snip, it's very intense and painful for the baby.
- Times are changing even though this was the status quo before.
- No health benefit now or later.
- Some mothers regret and feel guilt after the procedure.
- Mothers have a special role to protect their baby — follow your instincts, it can always be done later.
- Don't retract foreskin or allow anyone to, including doctors.
New Fathers or Grandfathers
- There is a parents' guide page with more details available.
- It's okay to choose something different for your son than you have. Don't you want to give your boy a better life?
- The loss creates real loss, just like the loss of any body part.
- Your baby boy does not have to look like you.
- No health benefits, just potential harms.
New Christian Parents
- Circumcision is not part of Christian teachings, faith, traditions, or doctrine.
- Jesus came after the Old Testament when Jews were circumcising, and he said you don't have to do it anymore.
- The New Testament, which Christians follow, does not require circumcision.
- It's part of Jewish tradition, and Christians respect Jews, but it's not part of Christianity.
New Jewish Parents
- Times are changing — many modern families choose which rites to follow.
- Judaism is about questioning things.
- Put your baby's well-being before family's feelings.
- You can still be true to Jewish faith and heritage without circumcision.
- Alternative ceremonies like Brit Shalom (naming ceremony) exist.
New Muslim Parents
- Times are changing — many modern families choose which rites to follow.
- It's not in the Quran, just a cultural tradition.
- Brutal experience for children aged 4-8 years — boys report it as the 'worst day of their life'.
- Put your baby's well-being before family's feelings.
- You can still be true to Muslim faith without circumcision — it's about your relationship with Allah.
Immigrant Parents
- Circumcision is not important to becoming more Americanized.
- History in America is unusual — this is one thing America 'got wrong' while the rest of the world 'got it right'.
- Times are changing — fewer Americans are getting circumcised and rates are decreasing.
- Modern educated Americans increasingly choose not to circumcise.
Healthcare Providers
Physicians
- Medical practices change over time as new discoveries are made. Many are now reporting adverse events, and there is new research on infant pain.
- Learn about the role of the foreskin in the human body.
- Connect with physicians who abstain from performing circumcisions.
- Learn about adult men who complain of harm from their circumcision.
- Confront your own bias — your problem-free circumcision doesn't mean it's good for everyone.
- You don't have the right based on human rights principles.
- Protect yourself against future litigation by stopping now.
- If suffering regret, you can heal by getting involved in activism and helping others.
Nurses
- Connect with physician and nurse voices who abstain.
- Nurses are on the vanguard of change in this area.
- You don't have the right based on human rights principles.
- You can heal by getting involved in activism and helping others.
Midwives and Doulas
- Connect with healthcare professionals who abstain.
- Midwives and doulas are on the vanguard of change in this area.
- You don't have the right based on human rights — it's not the mother's right either.
- You can heal by getting involved in activism and helping others.
- Download info sheets or get brochures to distribute to teach parents.
Medical Students
- Medical students are in a special position — at the start of careers and in learning mode where inquiry and questioning is normal.
- Learn about your options to opt out of circumcisions for your career.
- Connect with physician voices who abstain.
- Learn about the history of circumcision.
- You can decide before your career starts to abstain.
- Protect yourself from future litigation.
- Medical students are the hope for change.
Hospital Administrators & Risk Managers
- Consult with lawyers and ethicists who recommend against the practice.
- Learn about other hospitals that are no longer offering the procedure.
- Connect with physician voices who abstain.
- Understand legal arguments against non-medically necessary procedures being solicited.
- Protect your organization against future litigation — act earlier rather than later.
- Consider not soliciting or offering the procedure.
- Download info sheets or brochures to post in the hospital or distribute to staff.
Policy Makers
Judges, Attorneys, Legislators, Public Policy Makers
- Most legislators, judges, and attorneys in America are circumcised men or have intimate partners who are — which creates inherent bias.
- It's very hard to admit that one has been violated oneself — easier to deny it.
- Learn about men who complain of harm from their infant circumcision.
- Confront your own bias — just because it doesn't bother you doesn't mean it should have been done or that it doesn't harm others.
- It is not a rite of passage or part of manhood. It belongs in the past — it is painful, harmful, and unnecessary.
- It is similar to female circumcision, which was banned in the US in 1996. Boys deserve equal protections under Title IV.
- Human rights arguments include bodily integrity and gender equality.
- Lawsuits and legislation to end the practice are coming.
Journalists & Writers
Journalists & Writers
- Journalists are vital because they 'translate' complex information to the public on issues new to public understanding.
- This has been an accepted practice for so long, but many accepted practices we realize over time are harmful.
- Like the beating of children for discipline or child labor, society simply takes time to realize certain practices need to change.
- Journalists are important agents of making society better through distributing information and clearing up myths.
- Connect with Intact America and explore the circumcision debate resources.
- Access quotes and information for balanced reporting.
Personally Affected
Circumcised Men
- Some men have good lives circumcised and report no problems — but your experience is not necessarily universal.
- Be open-minded to realize that other men do suffer problems.
- Some men report problems, pain, suffering, anger, and frustration.
- Find others like you and get support.
- You can heal by helping others.
- Consider therapy to figure out how to heal and how to talk to parents.
- Learn how to express feelings and get answers for why it was done.
- There is reconstructive surgery available.
Circumcised Women
- Female circumcision was outlawed in the US in 1996, but women who came from other countries may have suffered it.
- It is well-understood in the US that this is harmful and unacceptable.
- Male circumcision is similarly brutal, which is not as well-understood.
- Women and girls can get help here, find others like them, and access resources.
- Consider therapy to heal from emotional and physical trauma.
- You can heal by helping others.
Parents Suffering Regret & Guilt
- Mothers especially may suffer great guilt — feeling responsible as the protector of the child.
- Fathers can suffer guilt as well for the same reasons.
- There are others like you — read about them and connect with them.
- Consider therapy to heal from emotional trauma.
- You can heal by getting involved in activism and helping others.
Supporters & Donors
Supporters, Donors, Intactivists
- We need YOU! Supporters provide the energy behind change.
- You can help in two important ways — by speaking and writing about it, and by donating so activist organizations can continue their work.
- Activists in this area are called 'Intactivists' because they advocate for an intact body. 'Intact' means no part was removed, modified, or mutilated.
- Learn about Intact America — history, accomplishments, goals, and plans.
- We have made a lot of progress and have big plans to move forward.
- Get support and give support. The best way to heal from your own suffering is to connect to others and help others.
Need Personal Guidance?
If you need support or have questions that aren't answered here, we're here to help. Reach out to us directly and we'll connect you with the resources and community you need.