Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon is under fire after distributing material instructing children to “tuck” their genitals and put “your testicles inside your body.”
Tucking is not just for males, the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital assures in its instructional guide that.
“Tucking is moving the penis, testicles, or both out of the way. This makes the genital area look smoother and flatter,” the document notes. “Tucking can reduce any concerns you have about your body, how your clothes fit and how safe you feel in public. People of all genders can tuck.”
The guide includes a disclaimer, warning readers that it uses terminology that may be offensive.
“This information uses the words ‘penis,’ ‘scrotum,’ and ‘testicles.’ We know you may not use those terms or identify with them. We use them here to refer to body parts that people with tucking needs have while understanding those words are not for everyone,” the children’s hospital notes.
The document presents three methods for children interested in tucking: taping their genitals or wearing tight, spandex-laden underwear, or “putting your testicles inside your body.”
Tucking with tape “is more secure,” the instructional guide states. “Your tuck is less likely to come undone. But you have a higher risk of skin irritation. It is also harder to use the bathroom because you need to take off the tape and then reapply it. We recommend trying the methods without tape first, as they are the most gentle and convenient.”
Children interested in concealing their testicles “inside your body” must “press gently on their testicles” and use “two or three fingers, and try to guide them into the inguinal canals,” the guide states.
The document, which includes a graphic diagram, encourages to continue tucking even if it makes them get “nauseous” or “aroused.”
“This can feel strange at first, possibly even uncomfortable. You should not feel faint or nauseated or have extreme pain. If you do, take a break and try again later,” the document states. “Once the testicles are tucked, pull the penis back between your legs. If you find yourself getting aroused, take a break and try again later. An erection will make it impossible to tuck.”
The children’s hospital even encourages kids to visit sex shops to purchase clothes that “sell gender-affirming clothing items as well as sex toys, videos
and more.”
While the Oregon sex shop SheBob “is for people age 18 and older,,” the guide states, ” they offer appointments before or after hours for younger shoppers.”
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