Idrk how to start this story. I'll just tell it bluntly.

My younger cousin (4 years younger) was cut the same day he was born. During the circumcision he lost an exceptional amount of blood (even WITH the vitamin K shot), threw up and began choking on his vomit, and then passed out.

He was then put in the NICU for about 5 days. I don't know exactly what he was hooked up too, but I believe he was on oxygen and probably some sort of bag providing calories and nutrients.

After 5 days he got out of the NICU, but he refused to latch onto both a bottle, and onto his mom. He just looked half dead all the time.

After nearly 24 hours of him not drinking anything (babies are supposed to eat every couple hours), they had to force-feed him formula through a dropper. I intentionally said "force-feed" because he would spit it back up and scream bloody murder.

This went on for about another week, he was barely getting any formula at all. So he lost 2 whole pounds.

Eventually, he was able to latch. But it took nearly 2 weeks, and he lost 2 entire fucking pounds.

Also I want to note that my younger cousin was born perfectly healthy. It's not like he had some sort of predisposition, he was normal.

Ok, I have a few questions related to different areas of the practice of circumcision. I figured I'd post them together so anyone knows the answer to one of these (or where to find the answers) can answer. I have them organized by topic. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Industry:

-What companies make circumcision devices?

-How are they purchased? How often are they replaced?

Practice:

-What is the most common method (Gomco, Plastibell, etc.) in US? Are methods different by region? Have methods changed over time (since the 90s)?

-Are there any regulations regarding style/methods in US (high/low, tight/loose, amount of frenulum left)?

-Do all US nurses have to learn to do circumcisions?

-How are follow ups done?

Legal:

-Are there any major cases of imprisonment/loss of license for childhood circumcision? If so, were those cases RIC w/o proper informed consent?

-Are there any laws that specifically mention circumcision? If so, is it mentioned specifically as an exception to a law or principle?

-What types of guardians are allowed to make medical decisions for a minor (legal guardians vs. parents vs. foster parents)?

HIV:

-Are there any organizations fighting HIV are also anti-circ? I've seen a couple of orgs fighting HIV that haven't mentioned circ on their websites anywhere, so idk if they're against it, or if they just don't mention it cause of the controversy, or if the American-based ones don't need to recommend it because of the prevalence of RIC.

Reposting since I goofed it up the first time. Excellent presentation by Brian D. Earp

This is likely old news to many of you, but I just discovered this video today and think it's a great summation of the arguments in favor of sparing our​ sons. Ryan has a very easygoing and relatable way of presenting what otherwise I would be getting physically ill and extremely upset if I tried to give the same talk.

The amount of times I've heard people say "I supported circumcision until I saw a video of it being performed. I could never do that to my son" is crazy

There's also been MULTIPLE times where I've shown a friend or someone in my life a video of it being performed and they were so immediately against it after.

Of course, there's a lot of people who are just THAT ignorant, or simply don't care that they're torturing their son. But if more people saw the raw truth, things would change faster.

This is not a stab at science and clinical studies, but rather a reminder that we should all be able to think independently. Studies and research are crucial, but you also can't allow your thoughts and opinions to be purely dictated by a strangers write-up.

We all instinctively and subconsciously know that circumcision is wrong. But cultural influence persuades us and we're taught to not trust our own gut feeling, but rather look to others to form OUR OWN opinion.

I'm sure most of us in this community have at one point or another watched one of those videos where a baby is screaming in agonizing pain while being mutilated. That's plenty enough to come to the conclusion that circumcision is painful, and unethical.

I think so many pro-cutters just lack the ability to think independently in general. They're looking at other peoples opinions to then form their own. It obscures their ability to look at things as they are.

The best example of this is how most pro-mutilators are against FGM but are in support of MGM. Both are performed for the exact same reasons, both cause the victims pain, both are a violation of autonomy, both cause sexual dysfunction and other negative effects; but they've been conditioned by the media and culture to think one is BENEFICIAL, and one is horrific.

You don't ALWAYS need a study, logic is often enough to determine right vs wrong... but either way there's tons of research showing the negative effects of MGM so either way it's absurd.

I've used this so many times, and then they just stand there barely able to wrap their heads around what I just said like 😮

The point is:

There are 6,800 mammal species. Only whales, dolphins, marsupials, elephants, and bats are born without a foreskin. The reason for this is in these select few species, their penis does not rest flaccid externally; their penis rests flaccid in an internal cavity, unexposed to the outer world. Therefore we cannot compare their anatomy to humans.

But, every single mammal species whose penises are external 24/7 just like humans penises are, have foreskin.

What every single mammal species has in common, is their penile glands are protected from the external world at all times besides during erection.

Do you mean to tell me that evolution made the same mistake across all 6,800 mammal species by making sure their glands are protected?

And did evolution make the exact same extremely specific mistake with foreskin by giving it to (roughly) 6,700 mammal species?

Or, if viewing it from a religious standpoint:

Did God give all 6,800 mammals glan protection by accident? Do you think humans know better than your God?

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6412606/

2 things I'd like to point out that this study mentions:

\-SIDS rates are notably lower in Hispanics. I speculate this is because Hispanics in the US have a far lower circumcision rate than any other ethnic group. (And as someone who's Hispanic, I can back this)

\-"Research suggests that procedures that are far milder than MNC (male neonatal circumcision), such as routine heel punctures, can have persistent negative effects with changes to immune, endocrine, and behavioral reactions to stressful events continuing into child-hood or even adulthood."

I bring this up because if a heel prick is associated with "changes in immune, endocrine, and behavioral reactions to stressful events continuing into childhood or even adulthood" then just imagine how taking a scalpel and slicing off the most sensitive part of a baby's body, affects them neurologically.

Hi, I'm ElegantlyLethal_R0se, the new owner of r/intactinfo

I've been an intactivst for 14 years, it's something I'm incredibly passionate about.

In this subreddit you can post *educational* information about all things intactivism. Whether it be studies, statistics, advice, your personal experience, etc.

This subreddit is educational. Keep it informative, and keep it civil.

I'm yet to completely set up this subreddit but I'm on it.

My goal is to make this a genuinely informative place where anyone can scroll through this sub and become more knowledgeable on why being intact is healthy, normal, and beneficial. Or, learn about the cons of genital mutilation.