American Circumcision

I warmly recommend this movie, even for people who think the subject holds no interest, or for those whose minds are made up, one way or the other. Its focus is firmly on the US custom that began in the late 19th century, peaked in the 1960s - so that the great majority of middle-aged US men have no foreskin (nor any knowledge of it except folklore, largely wrong) - and is declining much more slowly than it has in the rest of the English-speaking world. I especially appreciate the way it made use of genital cutting advocates, by simply letting them say their piece and then presenting the facts that undermine their arguments. In this sense the film was "balanced" but the balance of the facts is firmly against the custom, as the rest of the developed world silently shows. In the segment on Female Genital Cutting, the advocate Fuambai Sia Ahmadu could say how she thought it benefitted her, and spell out the similarities to Male Genital Cutting - contrary to popular opinion - herself. FGC was briefly sanctioned by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2010, in the form of a token ritual nick, "much less extensive than routine newborn male genital cutting" in the AAP's own words. Only an outcry by Intactivists and then feminists caused the policy to be "retired" within a month. The editing between speakers was excellent, some seeming almost to complete each other's sentences. We could have seen a bit less of the Capitol building as wallpaper: a Federal age-restriction on male genital cutting, like that on all female cutting including the most exact equivalent, is not likely any time soon. One striking omission was any actual photograph of a normal adult *, or the unique rolling action of the foreskin, much easier to show than to describe. It's not just a "flap". It is a shame that the film seems to have succumbed to the same reluctance to be explicit that has so helped the custom to become the US norm. Particularly striking was the contribution of Shannondoah Dartsch, a mother who had only learnt the previous day that what had been bothering her about her son's operation was in fact a botch (buried *). The lack of good data on the frequency of such negative outcomes was one focus. The many people working on this multi-facetted issue, each speaking in their own specialties, were all very well captured in all their idiosyncracies. Marilyn Milos grew tearful describing how she can never apologise enough to her sons, but how her work against the custom offers some solace - cut to the rather strange Australian scientist Brian Morris, mocking her "emotionalism". Male genital cutting advocate and former AAP Circumcision Task Force chair Edgar Schoen's heartlessness towards men who do complain spoke for itself. One of those was (was) the very personable Jonathon Conte who described how it contributed to his depression ... the film is dedicated to his memory.

I am one who is not in favour for circumcision, however, I found this documentary to be very biased. If you're going to cover a topic, you should at least explore both sides of the story. I don't believe circumcision is necessary at all, but it should still be explored as to how most circumcised men feel about the issue. I have spoken to many cicumcised men and many of them don't care that they were circumcised and actually, many of them were happy. As terrible as it sounds, many men are facing a social stigma for having an uncircumcised *. I have hear terrible stories of men being made fun of by women for being uncircumcised. I have actually spoken to women who said they don't like uncircumsied penises. The social stigma is still alive in North America and this issue should absolutely be explored. We should be speaking to men who have chosen to circumcise and men who were angry that their parents who didn't circumcise them when they were a baby. This issue is not black and white, it is still very grey and this documentary does not cover that at all. The movie makes it feel like it is 100% black and white. Also, a lot of the facts were wrong as well. The number of cucumcisons happening within the first few days of birth is steadily decreasing and it's much more popular and recommended when the infant is 3 months. They numb the area completely and treat the pain with Advil. Doctors not waiting the full 5 mins for the numbing cream to work is false, many doctors wait. This documentary is pushing fear tactics and that is not proper journalism.

In the theatre I saw it in, we could hear what seemed like most of the audience sobbing at one point (not about the graphic depiction of the surgery, but rather about a person's anguish while sadly expressing their regrets about not being better informed before allowing a loved one to be cut). But that sort of intensity is broken up by moments when those who would deny a male the right to make his own choice look positively ridiculous, and don't seem to realize how sill they sound. The film also provides uplift by highlighting some men who have been able to undo the predictable sexual damage of circumcision to an extent. Very well told - fair and balanced. I hope all expecting families see this before delivering.

The ideas within this film are discussed from both sides. The issue is presented in a way that provokes meaningful thought and discussion. I'm glad for this movie. Any inspiring documentarian or film maker should watch it. I would also, of course, encourage anyone learning about medicine, bio ethics, psychology, public health, anthropology or even religious studies to watch this film and to consider its merits. Serious film enthusiasts will appreciate the boldness of the discussion. Few who watch the movie in full will be able to speak the same of routine circumcision. Those who treat this film with dismissive flippancy have probably not watched it or given it serious thought and introspection. Thank you for this film.

I was circumcised as a baby and was traumatized when I learned about it as a young child in sex ed. I bottled up my emotions for a decade, thinking I could push the issue to the back of my mind but I never succeeded. I suffered anxiety and depression, which negatively impacted my life and strained my relationship with my parents. When we watched this movie together as a family, we were in tears as all the pain, grief, and sorrow were finally expressed. Now we know we are not alone and I have been able to at last turn a new page in my life. I want to thank the producers of this film for bringing this issue to light and for their tireless efforts to protect babies and the men they will grow up to be. This documentary is not just informative but also healing for the families whose lives have been changed forever by infant circumcision.

This documentary is obviously anti circumcision from the very start of the film. It was stated that hygiene is not a factor for getting circumcised, however, I would like to point out as a health care worker, elderly males who are uncircumcised have a higher risk of yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Hygiene overall declines with age. Might I suggest the director and producers of this film visit a nursing home and do some additional research? Also, the old mundane argument of "babies can't decide for themselves yadda yadda" okay, so has any grown adult male ever sought to have a circumcision then? Why are we like this with foreskin, but not tonsils, adenoids, wisdom teeth, etc. Anyways, if you're anti circ then you will love this movie. If you are looking for a fair balanced argument on a controversial topic then I'd look elsewhere.

Wow. This film really is shining a light on something hidden in plain sight here in America. Its extremely well done, in depth and concise. Highlighting the most prominent voices on both sides of this heated debate; it's thought provoking and balanced. This film is not an emotional high jacking, it's truly an education. I loved it.

Negates the whole purpose of the film. Male genital mutilation is a sex crime. What essentially happened is someone profiting off the collaboration, production, and distribution of child rape.

I have always considered circumcision of males and females to be a barbaric practice and this documentary confirms this stance. What adults want to do with their bodies is their decision. For example, I do not like tattoos, which I consider to be mutilation, but I am not against it. That is your decision. Leave babies' bodies alone, other than for real medical problems. When the kids grow up let them then decide what they want. It's as simple as that and conforms with human rights and common sense. Unfortunately too many places in the world still have past customs which will not easily change. Laws are not always correct. On remote Pacific islands cannibalism is apparently still practised too. What a terrible thought.

This film gives you the liberty to see and hear what is actually happening from an infant's point of view. The baby is the one going through the circumcision procedure, it's important to understand what is happening to him and how the medical system can fail us all.