Meet our advertisers:
NOCIRC

Parents find their parenting styles in many ways, be it personal experience, cultural perspectives, religious beliefs, or trusting their instincts, to name a few. There is also the ever-present plethora of information and advice geared for the new parent. Gathering reliable and factual information can be a major challenge. Many parenting choices are important and worthy of research and personal reflection. However, few choices are as permanent as circumcision.

NOCIRC is the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers, a nonprofit educational resource that is committed to keeping all infants' and children's sex organs intact. It was founded in 1986 by healthcare professionals and is now run by a very diverse group of volunteers. NOCIRC has grown to more than 110 centers internationally.

NOCIRC believes that keeping sex organs intact is a basic human right; decisions on circumcision should be made not by the parents during the prenatal period but by the children themselves when they have reached adulthood. Mike Whitmer, the director with NOCIRC of Washington, became involved because he has the shared belief that circumcision is a basic human rights issue.

A resource guide listing all the pamphlets, articles, newsletters, and videos available is found online. The website covers a wide range of information from affiliate organizations to information in Spanish and how to care for your son's circumcised or intact penis.

In addition to distributing educational material, NOCIRC also takes action in many other ways. In Washington, DC, NOCIRC-along with other groups-organizes a march and demonstration against circumcision.

For additional information, be sure to check out the website or contact Mike by phone or email (both are found in the advertisement below). If this cause is important to you, there are ways to become involved or support it by making a tax-deductible donation.

Northwest Baby & Child does not have an official position on the topic of circumcision and the views expressed by this organization, but we do encourage parents to research this issue carefully before making a decision.