My first body mod was done by my Mom who unwittingly signed a consent form.
With the stroke of a pen my foreskin was history.
The practice of removing the foreskin on males is an odd practice. Even though it’s socially normalized here in America, most of the rest of the non-jewish world simply sees no need to immediately take a male child, clip the umbilical cord and then remove the foreskin on the penis. However, in America due to 19th century hygiene standards and the spread of dominance of jewish men in the medical field, circumcision in this country became quite common. By the 20th century, circumcision was simply standard procedure. Most American males, unless his parents was particularly progressive or their religion specifically forbade are now circumcised. That is now starting to change and the Intactivist Movement is leading the way on the fight to end what they describe as a form of medically sanctioned genital mutilation.
They use the language of feminism to make the claim that “his body, his rights” and that every boy should have the right to keep his foreskin until he decides if he wants it off or not. It is rather interesting that while many people protest and sign petitions about female genital mutilation in Middle Eastern countries and Africa while not really understanding that a form of mutilation happens to males in America every day. The Intactivist Movement and Intact America have led the way on helping parents understand that circumcision isn’t natural, isn’t necessary, and can be just as clean as a circumcised member.
The rate in the US is falling. In 1980 it was 81% but now it’s down to 55% and on the coasts and other enlightened places, the rate is even lower. Personally, I can’t say I miss my foreskin. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have one, but I’ve never had one so I can’t say that I miss it or that I’m less of a man because I don’t have one. It is interesting to contemplate but I think that overall, it’s time we end this practice. It’s traumatizing at a pre-verbal infant level. It’s time to stop circumcision. So, if you’re planning on having children and you have a son then there is simply no need.
Let me know in the comments or on social media what you think about the intactivist movement.
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