This site discusses Phimosis, Frenulum Breve and the Epithelium, and their relationship to Male Initiation and Identity. Much modern medical information on circumcision (from popular literature to reports in medical journals), recommends that the best care for a foreskin is to leave it alone. These reports are all based on Øster's misinterpreted study. Øster made his report following 7 years of education and monitoring. Such care and attention obviously results in less problems.

T HE F ACTS OF L IFE
It is normal for infants to have erections. Among most normal boys the foreskin retracts automatically during erection. With phimosis, frenulum breve and adhesions, it is uncomfortable to retract the foreskin during erection.
That the foreskin normally retracts is hardly ever mentioned in literature on sexuality. Due to their conditions and the consequent actual experience that their foreskin does not retract, the fact of life that the foreskin should be free to retract is not clear or apparrent to many boys. Books which discuss circumcision should include some sort of intelligent, accurate and adequate information (see Available Information), on the normal ability of the foreskin to retract, so that boys, youths and grown men who experience difficulties and are attempting to educate themselves can readily find information. Dr. John Smith is one of the very few doctors who emphasises " ... the ability of the mature youth to retract the prepuce with the penis erect was the criterion of normality"(25) Since January 1997 pictures of foreskin retraction are available on internet. It would be realistic to print pictures of the erect penis showing the retraction of the foreskin in books on sexual education, this would minimise the necessity to find education through pornography. See also: Adult Information