THIS IS THE FUNCTIONALITY YOU LOSE TO CIRCUMCISION
Frenar Band, or Ridged Band The frenar band is a group of soft ridges near the junction of the inner and outer foreskin. This region is the primary erogenous zone of the intact male body. Loss of this delicate belt of densely innervated, sexually responsive tissue reduces the fullness and intensity of sexual response. [Source: Taylor, J. R. et al., “The Prepuce: Specialized Mucosa of the Penis and Its Loss to Circumcision,” British Journal of Urology 77 (1996): 291-295.]
Mechanical Gliding Action The foreskin’s gliding action is a hallmark feature of the normal, natural, intact penis. This non-abrasive gliding of the penis in and out of its own shaft skin facilitates smooth, comfortable, pleasurable intercourse for both partners. Without this gliding action, the corona of the circumcised penis can function as a one-way valve, making artificial lubricants necessary for comfortable intercourse. [Source: P. M. Fleiss, MD, MPH, “The Case Against Circumcision,” Mothering: The Magazine of Natural Family Living (Winter 1997): 36-45.]
Meissner’s Corpuscles Circumcision removes the most important sensory component of the foreskin - thousands of coiled fine-touch receptors called Meissner’s corpuscles. Also lost are branches of the dorsal nerve, and between 10,000 and 20,000 specialized erotogenic nerve endings of several types. Together these detect subtle changes in motion and temperature, as well as fine gradations in texture. [Sources: 1. R. K. Winkelmann, “The Erogenous Zones: Their Nerve Supply and Its Significance,” Proceedings of the Staff Meetings of the Mayo Clinic 34 (1959): 39-47. 2. R. K. Winkelmann, “The Cutaneous Innervation of Human Newborn Prepuce,” Journal of Investigative Dermatology 26 (1956): 53-67.]
Frenulum The frenulum is a highly erogenous V-shaped structure on the underside of the glans that tethers the foreskin. During circumcision it is frequently either amputated with the foreskin or severed, which destroys or diminishes its sexual and physiological functions. [Sources: 1. Cold, C, Taylor, J, “The Prepuce,” BJU International 83, Suppl. 1, (1999): 34-44. 2. Kaplan, G.W., “Complications of Circumcision,” Urologic Clinics of North America 10, 1983.]
Dartos Fascia Circumcision removes approximately half of this temperature-sensitive smooth muscle sheath which lies between the outer layer of skin and the corpus cavernosa. [Source: Netter, F.H., “Atlas of Human Anatomy,” Second Edition (Novartis, 1997): Plates 234, 329, 338, 354, 355.]
Immunological System The soft mucosa (inner foreskin) contains its own immunological defense system which produces plasma cells. These cells secrete immunoglobulin antibodies as well as antibacterial and antiviral proteins, including the pathogen killing enzyme lysozyme. [Sources: 1. A. Ahmed and A. W. Jones, “Apocrine Cystadenoma: A Report of Two Cases Occurring on the Prepuce,” British Journal of Dermatology 81 (1969): 899-901. 2. P. J. Flower et al., “An Immunopathologic Study of the Bovine Prepuce,” Veterinary Pathology 20 (1983):189-202.]
Lymphatic Vessels The loss of these vessels due to circumcision reduces the lymph flow within that part of the body’s immune system. [Source: Netter, F.H., “Atlas of Human Anatomy,” Second Edition (Novartis, 1997): plate 379.]
Estrogen Receptors The presence of estrogen receptors within the foreskin has only recently been discovered. Their purpose is not yet understood and needs further study. [Source: R. Hausmann et al., “The Forensic Value of the Immunohistochemical Detection of Oestrogen Receptors in Vaginal Epithelium,” International Journal of Legal Medicine 109 (1996): 10-30.]
Apocrine Glands These glands of the inner foreskin produce pheromones - nature’s powerful, silent, invisible behavioral signals to potential sexual partners. The effect of their absence on human sexuality has never been studied. [Source: A. Ahmed and A. W. Jones, “Apocrine Cystadenoma: A Report of Two Cases Occurring on the Prepuce,” British Journal of Dermatology 81 (1969): 899-901.]
Sebaceous Glands The sebaceous glands may lubricate and moisturize the foreskin and glans, which is normally a protected internal organ. Not all men have sebaceous glands on their inner foreskin. [Source: A. B. Hyman and M. H. Brownstein, “Tyson’s Glands: Ectopic Sebaceous Glands and Papillomatosis Penis,” Archives of Dermatology 99 (1969): 31-37.]
Langerhans Cells These specialized epithelial cells are a component of the immune system in the penis. [Source: G. N. Weiss et al., “The Distribution and Density of Langerhans Cells in the Human Prepuce: Site of a Diminished Immune Response?” Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 29 (1993): 42-43.]
Natural Glans Coloration The natural coloration of the glans and inner foreskin (usually hidden and only visible to others when sexually aroused) is considerably more intense than the permanently exposed and keratinized coloration of a circumcised penis. The socio-biological function of this visual stimulus has never been studied. ——– The glans ranges from pink to red to dark purple among intact men of Northern European ancestry, and from pinkish to mahagony to dark brown among intact men of Color. If circumcision is performed on an infant or young boy, the connective tissue which protectively fuses the foreskin and glans together is ripped apart. This leaves the glans raw and subject to infection, scarring, pitting, shrinkage, and eventual discoloration. Over a period of years the glans becomes keratinized, adding additional layers of tissue in order to adequately protect itself, which further contributes to discoloration. Many restoring men report dramatic changes in glans color and appearance, and that these changes closely mirror the natural coloration and smooth, glossy appearance of the glans seen in intact men. ——— [Source: P. M. Fleiss, MD, MPH, “The Case Against Circumcision,” Mothering: The Magazine of Natural Family Living (Winter 1997): 36-45.]
Length and Circumference Circumcision removes some of the length and girth of the penis - its double-layered wrapping of loose and usually overhanging foreskin is removed. A circumcised penis is truncated and thinner than it would have been if left intact. [Source: R. D. Talarico and J. E. Jasaitis, “Concealed Penis: A Complication of Neonatal Circumcision,” Journal of Urology 110 (1973): 732-733.]
Blood Vessels Several feet of blood vessels, including the frenular artery and branches of the dorsal artery, are removed in circumcision. The loss of this rich vascularization interrupts normal blood flow to the shaft and glans of the penis, damaging the natural function of the penis and altering its development. [Sources: 1. H. C. Bazett et al., “Depth, Distribution and Probable Identification in the Prepuce of Sensory End-Organs Concerned in Sensations of Temperature and Touch; Thermometric Conductivity,” Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry 27 (1932): 489-517. 2. Netter, F.H., “Atlas of Human Anatomy,” Second Edition (Novartis, 1997): plates 238, 239.]
Dorsal Nerves The terminal branch of the pudendal nerve connects to the skin of the penis, the prepuce, the corpora cavernosa, and the glans. Destruction of these nerves is a rare but devastating complication of circumcision. If cut during circumcision, the top two-thirds of the penis will be almost completely without sensation. [Sources: 1. Agur, A.M.R. ed., “Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy,” Ninth Edition (Williams and Wilkins, 1991): 188-190. 2. Netter, F.H., “Atlas of Human Anatomy,” Second Edition (Novartis, 1997): plate 380, 387.]
- Circumcision performed during infancy disrupts the bonding process between child and mother. There are indications that the innate sense of trust in intimate human contact is inhibited or lost. It can also have significant adverse effects on neurological development.
-Additionally, an infant’s self-confidence and hardiness is diminished by forcing the newborn victim into a defensive psychological state of “learned helplessness” or “acquired passivity” to cope with the excruciating pain which he can neither fight nor flee.
- The trauma of this early pain lowers a circumcised boy’s pain threshold below that of intact boys and girls. This has been proven in a study during vaccination time. [Sources: 1. R. Goldman, Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma (Boston: Vanguard Publications, 1997), 139-175. 2. A. Taddio et al., “Effect of Neonatal Circumcision on Pain Responses during Vaccination in Boys,” Lancet 345 (1995): 291-292.]
- Every year some boys lose their entire penises from circumcision accidents and infections. They are then “sexually reassigned” by castration and transgender surgery, and are expected to live their lives as females. [Sources: 1. J. P. Gearhart and J. A. Rock, “Total Ablation of the Penis after Circumcision with Electrocautery: A Method of Management and Long-Term Followup,” Journal of Urology 142 (1989):799-801. 2. M. Diamond and H. K. Sigmundson, “Sex Reassignment at Birth: Long-Term Review and Clinical Implications,” Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 151 (1997): 298-304.]
-Every year many boys in the United States and elsewhere lose their lives as a result of circumcision - a fact that is routinely ignored or obscured.
[Sources: 1. G. W. Kaplan, “Complications of Circumcision,” Urologic Clinics of North America 10 (1983): 543-549. 2. R. S. Thompson, “Routine Circumcision in the Newborn: An Opposing View,” Journal of Family Practice 31 (1990): 189-196.
NOT LONG ENOUGH FOR YOU? I DIDN’T THINK SO EITHER.
MORE ON “THE HEALTHIER THAN DEALING WITH STIGMA” ARGUMENT..
let’s talk infant maintenance:
n babies, the foreskin is completely fused to the head of the penis. You cannot and should not retract it to clean it, as this would cause the child pain, and is akin to trying to clean the inside of a baby girl’s vagina. The infant foreskin is perfectly designed to protect the head of the penis and keep feces out. All you have to do is wipe the outside of the penis like a finger. It is harder to keep circumcised baby’s penis clean because you have to carefully clean around the wound, make sure no feces got into the wound, and apply ointment. The foreskin separates and retracts on its own sometime between age 3 and puberty. Before it retracts on its own, you wipe the outside off like a finger. After it retracts on its own, it will get clean during the boy’s shower or bath. There is nothing special that the parents need to do.
let’s talk about risk and side effects:
Removal of healthy tissue from a non-consenting patient is, in itself, harm (more on this point later). Circumcision has an number of risks and side effects. There is a 1-3% complication rate during the newborn period alone (Schwartz 1990).
Here is a short list potential complications.
Meatal Stenosis: Many circumcised boys and men suffer from meatal stenosis. This is a narrowing of the urethra which can interfere with urination and require surgery to
fix.Adhesions. Circumcised babies can suffer from
adhesions, where the foreskin remnants try to heal to the head of the penis in an area they are not supposed to grow on. Doctors treat these by ripping them open with no anesthesia.Buried penis. Circumcision can lead to trapped or buried penis – too much skin is removed, and so the penis is forced inside the body.
This can lead to problems in adulthood when the man does not have enough skin to have a comfortable erection. Some men even have their skin split open when they have an erection. There are even more sexual consequences, which we will address in a future post.
Infection. The circumcision wound can become infected. This is especially dangerous now with the prevalence of hospital-acquired multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Death. Babies can even die of circumcision. Over 100 newborns die each year in the USA, mostly from loss of blood and infection (Van Howe 1997 & 2004, Bollinger 2010).
All of these dangers are not at all risked if you simply don’t circumcize your child, and all of these dangers are incredibly reduced in likelyhood if at a later time the child makes the decision on their own after puberty in their late teens to early adult hood.
Medical advice may have promoted infection in uncircumcised males. A shocking number of doctors are uneducated about the normal development of the foreskin, and they (incorrectly) tell parents that they have to retract the baby’s foreskin and wash inside it at every diaper change. Doing this tears the foreskin and the tissue (called synechia) that connects it to the head of the penis, leading to scarring and infection.American doctors receive little medical school education on the care and treatment of the intact penis. The curriculums assume that all men will be circumcised.
Doctors in America are trained to circumcise. Hence, when an American doctors encounters an intact penis with a minor problem his first recommendation is circumcision.Misinformation was especially prevalent during the 1950s and 60s, when most babies were circumcised and we didn’t know as much about the care of the intact penis, which is why the story is always about someone’s uncle. Doing this to a baby boy would be like trying to clean the inside of a baby girl’s vagina with Q-tips at every diaper change. Rather than preventing problems, such practices would cause problems by introducing harmful bacteria. Remember that humans evolved from animals, so no body part that required special care would survive evolutionary pressures.
The human genitals are wonderfully self-cleaning and require no special care.Also, in medicine we only treat the sick, injured or diseased. We do not prescribe medications preemptively. We do not perform preemptive surgery until there is a real problem. We do not prescribe antibiotic until there is evidence of infection. We do not perform tonsillectomies until there is repeated tonsillitis. We do not perform mastectomies until there is cancer or a proven high risk of cancer. So why should circumcision be any different?
on the subject of urinary tract infection:
Girls have a 3 times higher rate of UTI than boys. Yet no one suggests cutting girls genitals to prevent UTI. When a girl gets a UTI, she is simply prescribed antibiotics. The same treatment works for boys. The UTI claim is based on one study that looked at charts of babies born in one hospital (Wiswell 1985). The study had many problems, including that it didn’t accurately count whether or not the babies were circumcised, whether they were premature and thus more susceptible to infection in general, whether they were breastfed (breastfeeding protects against UTI), and if their foreskins had been forcibly retracted (which can introduce harmful bacteria and cause UTI) (Pisacane 1990). There have been many studies since which show either no decrease in UTI with circumcision, or else an increase in UTI from circumcision. Thus circumcision is not recommended to prevent UTI (Thompson 1990).
Let’s not even get started on Africa & FAILED HIV/STD PREVENTION:
Three studies in Africa several years ago claimed that circumcision prevented HIV transmission and that circumcision was as effective as a 60% effective vaccine (Auvert 2005, 2006). These studies had many flaws, including expectation bias (both researcher and participant), selection bias, lead-time bias, attrition bias, duration bias, and early termination that favored the treatment effect the investigators were hoping for. (Van Howe, Storms 2011: How the circumcision solution in Africa will increase HIV infections.)It as been suggested that the researchers tailored the studies to reach the conclusions they wanted. Read more about how circumcision is a dangerous mistake for HIV prevention.There have also been several studies that show that circumcision does not prevent HIV (Connolly 2008).
There are many issues at play in the spread of STDs which make it very hard to generalize results from one population to another.In Africa, where the recent studies have been done, most HIV transmission is through male-female sex, but in the USA, it is mainly transmitted through blood exposure (like needle sharing) and male-male sex. Male circumcision does not protect women from acquiring HIV, nor does it protect men who have sex with men (Wawer 2009, Jameson 2009).
What’s worse, because of the publicity surrounding the African studies, men in Africa are now starting to believe that if they are circumcised, they do not need to wear condoms, which will increase the spread of HIV (Westercamp 2010). Even in the study with the most favorable effects of circumcision, the protective effect was only 60% – men would still have to wear condoms to protect themselves and their partners from HIV.
In the USA, during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 90s, about 85% of adult men were circumcised (much higher rates of circumcision than in Africa), and yet HIV still spread.It is important to understand, too, that the men in the African studies were adults and they volunteered for circumcision. Babies undergoing circumcision were not given the choice to decide for themselves.
Recent studies have demonstrated that circumcised men are at increased risk of contracting gonorrhea, syphilis and genital warts. Men are at equal risk for developing human papillomavirus lesions and herpesvirus infections regardless of circumcision status. At least four studies have shown human immunodeficiency virus infection to occur more commonly in circumcised men.
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE… CIRCUMCISED VERSUS UNCIRCUMCISED:
The function of the foreskin for women in intercourse is to seal the natural lubrication inside the vagina and provide a gentle internal massaging action. The intact penis moves in and out of its foreskin, which provides a frictionless, rolling, gliding sensation.
Intact men tend to make shorter strokes that keep their bodies in contact with the clitoris more, thus aiding female orgasm (O’Hara 1999). On the other hand, the circumcised penis functions like a piston during intercourse – the head of the penis actually scrapes the lubrication out of the vagina with each stroke.
As the man thrusts, his skin rubs against the vaginal entrance, causing discomfort, and sometimes pain (O’Hara 1999, Bensley 2001). Far from making sex better for women, circumcision decreases female satisfaction.
In a landmark study of US women, 85% who had experienced both circumcised and intact men preferred sex with intact men. Sex with a circumcised man was associated with pain, dryness and difficulty reaching orgasm (O’Hara 1999). In another study, women were twice as likely to reach orgasm with an intact man (Bensley 2003). Even when a woman said she preferred a circumcised partner, she had less dryness and discomfort with intact men (O’Hara 1999).
Men who are circumcised are 60% more likely to have difficulty identifying and expressing their feelings, which can cause marital difficulties (Bollinger 2010). Circumcised men are 4.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, use drugs like Viagra, and to suffer from premature ejaculation (Bollinger 2010, Tang 2011).
Men who were circumcised as adults experienced decreased sensation and decreased quality of erection, and both they and their partners experienced generally less satisfaction with sex (Kim 2007, Solinis 2007).
The foreskin contains several special structures that increase sexual pleasure, including the frenulum and ridged band (the end of the foreskin where it becomes internal), both of which are removed in circumcision.
The LEAST sensitive parts of the foreskin are more sensitive than the MOST sensitive parts of the circumcised penis (Sorrells 2007).
In other words, if you wanted to decrease a penis’ sensitivity the most, circumcision would be the ideal surgery.
The foreskin has nerves called fine-touch receptors which are clustered in the ridged band (Cold 1999). This type of nerve is also found in the lips and fingertips. To get an idea of the sensation these nerves provide, try this experiment: first lightly stroke your fingertip over the back of the other hand. Now stroke your fingertip over the palm of your hand. Feel the difference?
That is the kind of sensation the foreskin provides, and the circumcised man is missing. It may feel like the penis is overly sensitive to a circumcised man because there is little sensation left to indicate excitement, leading to unexpected premature ejaculation (a common problem with circumcised young men).
However, as circumcised penises age they become calloused and much less sensitive.
It is documented that circumcised adult males exhibit a greater tendency to engage in risky sexual behavior. Hooykaas and colleagues reported that circumcised men in the Netherlands engage in more risky sexual behavior and have markedly higher rates of STDs. Laumann and colleagues reported more risky sexual behavior amongst circumcised men in the United States and have higher rates of STDs.
Michael et al.reported more variability in sexual behavior, less condom usage, and more STD amonst the predominantly circumcised population of the United States as compared with the predominantly non-circumcised intact males of the United Kingdom.
Do you STILL NEED MORE sources? HERE YOU GO…!!
Intactivist linksThis list is mostly an effort to consolidate old bookmarks and fix links I’d bookmarked that were broken. It’ll be updated as I find new links, or have to fix broken links. Be aware that links to images or videos are probably NSFW, given that this is a discussion involving genitals.
Some writing on the topic:
No Justification for routine neonatal circumcision, part 1, fallacious medical arguments
No Justification for routine neonatal circumcision, part 2, unmerited social support
The first article includes a lot of links to information supporting the assertions I’ve made.
Those links are also included among the links below on this page.
Doctor Discusses Circumcision Controversy
The Prepuce Anatomy and Physiology of the Foreskin
Video I originally had linked here was removed from youtube, but this one is excellent.
Child Circumcision: An Elephant in the Hospital ♦
Difference Between: Male & Female Circumcision
Discussion after screening of the movie “Cut.”
Related to Cut, the Film: Debate with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Eli Ungar-Sargon offers facts and logic; Rabbi Shmuley preaches, ridicules, and mocks, even after hearing evidence.
Brian D Earp, scientist and ethicist; discusses why there’s no moral difference between male and female circumcision. ††
More from Brian D Earp on comparing male circumcision to female circumcision †††
Brian D. Earp; Female genital mutilation and male circumcision: toward an autonomy-based ethical framework
The Penis - Sex education 101 ††††
Water Bear Brigade: Circumcision, male and female
doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/
Doctors Opposing Circumcision HIV Statement
Medical Association Position Statements
Doctors Opposing Circumcision - Publications
Medical Organizations Statements on Circumcision
How the circumcision solution in Africa will increase HIV infections
Circumcision as a prophylactic against STIs and cancer
NORM COHEN: Circumcision AIDS Fraud
U.S. Navy Finds That Circumcision Does Not Prevent HIV or STIs
Male Circumcision and the HIV/AIDS Myth
Circumcision and Sexually Transmitted Infections
Circumstitions.com: Circumcision and the HIV prevention myth
Circumcision in HIV-infected men and its effect on HIV transmission to female partners in Rakai, Uganda: a randomised controlled trial
PrePex in Rwanda: Male Circumcision Associated with Higher HIV Transmission and Higher Profits
Sub-Saharan and African randomized clinical trials into male circumcision and HIV transmission: Methodological, ethical, and legal concerns
STD prevalence over time: Europe vs U.S.
American Cancer Society: Penile cancer and circumcision
Circumcision the most common risk factor for hepatitis B & C infection in men in Nigeria †
Phimosis: Is circumcision necessary?
Functions of the Foreskin: Purposes of the Prepuce
Fine-touch pressure thresholds in the adult penis
Study: Circumcision Removes Most Sensitive Parts
Leaked Audio Shows Doctors’ Association LYING About Effects Of Circumcision On The Penis
Ritual circumcision and risk of autism spectrum disorder in 0- to 9-year-old boys: national cohort study in Denmark
Adult Circumcision Outcomes Study: Effect on Erectile Function, Penile Sensitivity, Sexual Activity and Satisfaction
Alexithymia and Circumcision Trauma: A Preliminary Investigation
Male circumcision and sexual function in men and women: a survey-based, cross-sectional study in Denmark
Circumcision was associated with frequent orgasm difficulties in Danish men and with a range of frequent sexual difficulties in women, notably orgasm difficulties, dyspareunia and a sense of incomplete sexual needs fulfillment.
Estimated U.S. Incidence of Neonatal Circumcision Complications (physical only) Affecting Males Born between 1940 and 1990
100+ circumcision deaths each year in United States
Lost Boys: An Estimate of U.S. Circumcision-Related Infant Deaths
Toddler’s tragic death after circumcision
Baby dies in circumcision
A Gallery of Botched Circumcisions[NSFW]
Male Circumcision: Pain, Trauma and Psychosexual Sequelae
Study Links Circumcision to Personality Trait Disorder
Is circumcision legal? Does it matter?
Circumcision: Then and Now (How the procedure has become more dramatic)
Timeline of the medicalization of circumcision **
From Ritual to Science, the Medical Transformation of Circumcision in America
Myths about Circumcision You Likely Believe
More Circumcision Myths You May Believe: Hygiene and STDs
NoCirc PA (archive) Myths vs Facts
Circumcision: Who Profits?
Wrinkle Treatment Uses Babies’ Foreskins
Interest in circumcision more than foreskin deep
Sale of Neonatal Dermal Fibroblasts is quite lucrative.
Hair Loss Treatment Uses Baby Foreskins
Human Foreskins are Big Business for Cosmetics
Babies’ foreskins used to make cosmetics. Is this ethical?
NoCirc.com Articles on Circumcision
How “Cut” Saved My Son’s Foreskin: A Movie Review By Diane Targovnik
Jewish Circumcision Critics Integral in National Circumcision Debate
Jewish Circumcision: An Alternative Perspective by Jenny Goodman, MD.
On Alternative Rituals by Ronald Goldman, Ph.D.
Jewish Intactivism: Circumcision Resources
Jewish Intactivism Part II
Jewish Intactivism Part III, More Jewish Parents Are Skipping Circumcision, Keeping New Sons Intact
Jewish Voices: The Current Judaic Movement to End Circumcision: Part 1
Jewish Voices: The Current Judaic Movement to End Circumcision: Part 2
Jewish Voices: The Current Judaic Movement to End Circumcision: Part 3
Jewish Circumcision Resource Center
Jews Against Circumcision
What is a Jewish Bris Shalom (Covenant Without Cutting)? A ‘Bloodless Bris’ is Becoming Popular Among American Jews
How Judaic is circumcision? An Israeli Hebrew scholar on Biblical intactivism.
100+ Rabbis and Celebrants who lead intact covenant ceremonies worldwide.
Bris B'lee Milah Ceremony
Judaism, the Foreskin and Human Rights.
Rabbis on a Brit Shalom / Covenant without Circumcision
Humanistic Jewish Movement is Increasingly Intactivist
Jewish Ethical Advancement, the Foreskin, and Human Rights | Part 1.
Jewish Ethical Advancement, the Foreskin, and Human Rights | Part 2.
Jewish Ethical Advancement, the Foreskin, and Human Rights | Part 3.
Israeli Intactivist Groups (Mostly in Hebrew)
Israeli Association Against Circumcision / Intact Son
Protect the Child / Eran Saddeh
Kahal (Jewish & Israeli Parents of Intact Sons)
Intactivism Spreads in Israel. This Time by Jews. (Israeli Intactivist Ads)
Jewish Intactivist Resources and Groups
Cut: A Movie by a Jewish Intactivist.
Questioning Circumcision. A Jewish Perspective By Ron Goldman, Ph.D.
Beyond the Bris Weblog by Rebecca Wald.
Jews Against Circumcision (Bay Area)
Jewish Intactivist Families: Jewish Parents’ Experiences Keeping their Sons Intact.
Jewish Family in Vancouver Canada Opts for a Brit Shalom
A Jewish Father’s Brit Shalom Journey
Laura Stanley: A Jewish Woman and Midwife Denounces Circumcision
Tikkun: Michael Kimmel: The Kindest Un-Cut: Feminism, Judaism, and My Son’s Foreskin
Circumcision Questions (Letter from an Intact Jew). | Published in the Northern California Jewish Bulletin.
Jewish Daily Forward: Outlawing Circumcision: Good for the Jews? By Eli Ungar-Sargon. Published in the Jewish Daily Forward.
Dear Elijah: A Conservative Jewish Father’s Letter to His Intact Son | Published on Peaceful Parenting.
Stacey Greenberg: My Son: The Little Jew with a Foreskin
The debate on neonatal male circumcision isn’t and shouldn’t be about women, but here are some links for those who think it should.
How Male Circumcision Harms Women
Why feminists should be anti-circumcision
Similarities in Attitudes and Misconceptions toward Infant Male Circumcision in North America and Ritual Female Genital Mutilation in Africa
Neonatal circumcision vs female circumcision - though comparison should not matter to the discussion on the right or wrong of performing circumcision on infants, here are some links for those who think it should.
Difference Between: Male & Female Circumcision
On the Good for the goose, good for the gander front, many arguments used to support neonatal circumcision are the same arguments used to support female circumcision
Female circumcision does not reduce sexual activity
The Association between Female Genital Mutilation ( FGM ) and the Risk of HIV/AIDS in Kenyan Girls and Women (15-49 Years)
Yes to female circumcision?
Medical benefits of female circumcision
INDONESIA: Health official claims ‘female circumcision is not genital mutilation’
Two studies have reported that FGC is associated with decreased risk of HIV.
*Note - many of these links I obtained either from
or by researching broken/outdated links on it. I’ve put them here to have them in a place that’s easy to find. I will update this page as I run across new links.
Shout out to @antisjwalliance and @ob3ymonster
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