I am a pro-intact advocate. That is, I advocate that routine infant circumcision should be stopped and baby boys should keep their intact penis. Only in the United States is it common to routinely circumcise baby boys for non-religious reasons. This practice of routinely circumcising babies must stop.
I never felt strongly about any issue. I was too busy working and having fun. Even now, I am busy building my business and trying to enjoy life in the process. As a middle-class white guy, I never felt oppressed or was placed in a position where I felt society wronged me. Several years ago, I clerked for a criminal court judge. I read court records of the trials of child abusers. I reviewed the evidence showing the abuse. I got incensed at the things people would do to children. But, still, I was not motivated to be an activist for children's rights.
Then I learned about circumcision and how it removes the foreskin so that the glans is fully exposed. I realized that my exposed glans accounted for my penis being irritated from my underwear. The glans and inner foreskin remnant are mucous membranes. They are meant to be protected. Even after my glans keratinized, there was a portion of my corona that was still sensitive. I felt the irritation when that area brushed against my clothing or bed sheets.
I learned about the techniques for separating the foreskin from the glans of infants. The foreskin of an infant is attached to the glans, the same as a fingernail is attached to the finger. During circumcision, the foreskin is forcibly separated from the glans before the foreskin can be cut away. I realized that the scarring near my frenulum was most likely due to the doctor using forcepts or another appliance to separate my foreskin from the glans. That area of my penis always hurt to the touch and looked a lot different than the rest of my penis.
I also learned about restoring my foreskin and I earnestly began my restoration. As my restored foreskin grew long enough to cover my glans, I felt a new-found comfort and increased sexual satisfaction. The change is reported elsewhere on the site. Before I started restoring I ejaculated. After restoring, I had orgasms.
Now, I feel wronged. This was personal. Why had I been robbed of my foreskin? My penis is my sex organ. It has given me much pleasure all these years. After restoring my foreskin and knowing how much more pleasurable it feels with a restored foreskin, I know my original foreskin could have given me much more pleasure. Why could I not keep my full sex organ?
Well, my parents chose to have my sex organ modified. Yep, circumcised. A significant part of my penis was removed. And, I was not consultated. Knowing what I know now, I would have preferred to keep my foreskin, thank you. I don't blame my parents. In the '50s, the culture in the United States was to cut baby boys. It was automatic. And, it was normally done before the mother and child left the hospital.
Thus, I became an intactivist. I think it terrible that a part of my body was removed unnecessarily. I think it terrible that this practice continues today. I want it to stop. No more babies should have to experience what I have experienced. No man should have to restore his foreskin as I had to.
I believe it is the American culture that caused me to be circumcised. We can change that culture through education and awareness. Therefore, I take every opportunity to inform as many people as possible about the intact penis and how it is every man's birthright.
Footnote *: Some would call me an anti-circ. I prefer to call myself pro-intact. I am for babies being left intact. What an adult chooses to do to his body is his choice. But, let the babies remain intact until they are old enough to choose for themselves.
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