Later in life, Montagu actively opposed genital modification and mutilation of children.

Genital modification and mutilation may involve amputating tissue, although not necessarily as a result of injury or disease.

Activists who oppose genital modification and mutilation are often called intactivists or genital integrity activists.

Genital cutting refers to genital modification and mutilation of the human genitals using a cutting instrument.

Opponents of male circumcision assert that laws against genital modification and mutilation of minors should apply equally to males and females.

The Ashley Montagu Resolution refers to the petition to the World Court to end the genital modification and mutilation of children worldwide.

Others also see the genital cutting of children as a human rights issue, opposing the genital modification and mutilation of children, including circumcision and female genital mutilation.

Current laws in many countries, and United States Federal Law as well as laws in several U.S. states, prohibit the genital modification and mutilation of female minors, with some exceptions based on medical need.

In the United States, the organization MGMbill.org sent a proposed bill to the US Congress and 15 state legislatures between 2004 and 2007 to extend the prohibition on genital modification and mutilation of minors to include male and intersex children.

Hitchens and the United Nations also say that Islam is used to justify unnecessary and harmful female genital modification and mutilation, when the purposes range from deprivation of sexual satisfaction to discourage adultery, insuring virginity to their husbands, or generating appearance of virginity.