Mom, Why Did You Circumcise Me?

Mom, Why Did You Circumcise Me?

7.40
12345678910
Ratings: 7.40/10 from 25 users.

Mom, Why Did You Circumcise Me?This excellent personal documentary both in English and Dutch with English subtitles, follows Dutch journalist/filmmaker Michael Schaap as he learns from interviewing his own mother, circumcisers, politicians, Jews, Muslims, a restored British man, and some American activists.

From the author: "I'm a Dutch born male who came to Canada in 1981. In most European countries circumcisions are only performed for religious reasons.

In 1989 I married a fine Canadian girl and we had our first son in February of 1992. Even though my wife had not seen an uncircumcised penis until she married me, she realized that circumcision without a medical reasons was a form of abuse.

There had been some comments made by my inlaws, but after a talk with them they also realized that there was no reason for our son to be circumcised or for that matter any child without medical need there off.

December of 1992 we adopted a son and one of the first questions to us was; "do you want him to be circumcised?" Of course our answer was no.

The worlds view point regarding circumcision needs to change. Most people will admit that amputating the clitoral hood of females is abuse. There is no difference in amputating the glans hood of males.

Thank you and please continue to raise awareness about involuntary circumcision."

More great documentaries

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

153 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jack C Crofoot Jr
Jack C Crofoot Jr
7 years ago

Having practiced medicine for many, many years. I can tell you that very few uncircumcised men practice genital hygiene. Some have been so bad it has made me "PUKE." The smell is so repugnant. The build-up of smegma just 2-3 days is totally repugnant. Do your kids a favor, and circumcise them on the 8th day after birth unless they are sick. We now know that the available Prothrombin and Vitamin K+ are at their peak on the 8th day and the chance of bleeding is quite minimal.

The amount of bacteria and virus' that are hidden under the foreskin, yes and even several cancer causing pathogens. Not only are your sons exposed to this but you daughters when they become sexually active. I am not just spewing ancient trivia. but current medical knowledge. Wise-up all of you who are into the feel-good attitude.

Stuart
Stuart
7 years ago

To all you woman saying it prevents diseases **** YOU! DON'T SEE THEM GOING TO GET A LABIAPLASTY TO PROTECT OUR HEALTH!

Sartre
Sartre
8 years ago

I think anyone who advocates circumcision should look up the word "elective", because that's exactly what it is. Times are changing, rates are dropping and women are beginning to appreciate uncircumcised men.

truthhuntergeneral
truthhuntergeneral
10 years ago

circumcision is truly out of order, infact the only good thing about it is, that it highlights how stupid and contradictory all religion is, think about it, if there was a god and he had made everything we we see and know about, then i would say he was pretty dam good at his job, so how do these people who practice this draconian, human mutilation defend them selves in front of there made up god, when he asks them "why" did you change my perfect design.

i think these people are living in loolar land, go and have a word with your selves, and step away from the Scissors you idiotic oxygen wasters

Hollis
Hollis
11 years ago

maybe being circumcised makes men unduly concerned with the size of their penises, because all i ever hear is how big it is, or how big do you think HIS is, etc. pornography is concerned overwhelmingly with two things: big penises and big tits. as if size were everything ...

matt j
matt j
11 years ago

Very wrong and very irritating. If I had a boy I would not do that to him out of love. To destroy him is not right. Why most men world wide are not damaged? Since there parents were smart.

Andi Mack
Andi Mack
11 years ago

I've read through some of the comments.... and am honestly kind of shocked... 1) women who "love" circumcised penises(which I've predominantly seen commented by males, how would you know?) are basically taught that's how a penis is supposed to be. personally I'm not one of those women, I prefer uncut guys, and I don't know about other women, but I don't really spend my time in the bedroom admiring the form of the penis, there are more entertaining things to do with it. 2) Whoever mentioned other traditions like neck stretching, those are all done as rights of passage when the person is old enough to consent. 3) Whoever said its women and uncut men who disagree with this and they shouldn't talk about what they don't know about, do you remember what its like to be uncut? probably not, so you aren't really in a place to have an opinion either, you only represent one side of the equation just like the uncut men do. 4) To everyone who says its "cleaner" why the hell do you think men evolved to HAVE a foreskin, TO PROTECT THE URETHRA! read some medical journals people, just because it's been done forever, doesn't mean its right, nor does it mean the reasoning is sound. If an adult male wants to get cut, that's his business, but I don't think its our job to go cutting bits off our little boys...

Ciérrabella
Ciérrabella
11 years ago

ok, so ive only watched the first 48 seconds so far, but male circumcision uses anesthetic, female does not.
HENCE BARBARIC? YOU M*RON.

TheRealMax
TheRealMax
11 years ago

I would like to think, that there are few who would carry out such an horrific procedure on a human lifetime.

trevorcunningham75
trevorcunningham75
11 years ago

I'm with you there Happy Guy. Done as a baby and never regretted anything. All my buddies at school the same. I think the only people perpetuating the rumours of a fall in circumcision's popularity are those who are female or have a mudflap on their 'car'. My kiddo (aged 4) is circumcised like me and it's weird he always comments that he has the same wiener as dad and is pretty happy with that: I had a buddy at school who wasn't done and he always complained that he was the odd-man out in his family. Personally I wish people would just let me get on with my happy life - I am married twelve years, have excellent sex, have no locker room anxiety and have never had a problem with not getting the car started. I know some uncircumcised guys with those problems hey.

Happy_Guy
Happy_Guy
11 years ago

I thank my parents for circumcising me. I love it and my wife loves it. I cannot figure out why so many people get worked up about this. It seems like most of the people who are against it are women and uncircumcised males. Those people have no right commenting on something that does not affect them. Circumcised men hate what was done to them can legitimately discuss this issue.
I have had traumatic experiences that have shaped my life. This is not one of them.
I want to celebrate my circumcision. Every male I know who is circumcised that I have discussed this with feels the same.
It looks damn good! Yay for the head!

gene_M
gene_M
12 years ago

I got the vibe that this documentary was similar to another one that advocated parents not vaccinate their children. As for circumcision, I was circumcised I have not psychological issues relating to it, everyone of the people I know at my synagogue is not psychologically unstable. As an Israeli it would be safe to assume that a good percentage of the male populace is circumcised and I don't see bitter, crazy, angry dudes walking everywhere. Plus, I think it would be worse to go up to you son when he's older and ask, hey champ you wanna get circumcised? Let me tell you if he chooses yes, then at that point all the bad thing you associate with circumcision will probably occur. And keep in mind that when your son gets older he may end up resenting you for not having him get this procedure not that he will but theirs a chance. On a last note, what baby remembers their birth, a circumcision the pain felt at getting vaccinated? What man remembers getting circumcised at 12,13,16,18,20s,30s?

sknb
sknb
12 years ago

This is an intense issue and another reason why I don't want children.

Interesting note: some boys are born partially or fully without a foreskin. My father was apparently one of these.

Shawnie
Shawnie
12 years ago

It should be HIS choice when he is old enough if he wants to be circumcised or not! It is his body and shouldn't be a parent's decision, especially when it is done just for "looks." It is a cruel and painful thing to do, and usually completely unnecessary! It may be true that there are higher incidences of health problems arising from an uncircumcised penis, but think about it people...Do we automatically remove all newborn babies' appendix's, tonsils, gall bladders etc? I mean...there is after all a very high chance that one or all of the above may cause major problems later in life. So why not just cut them out at birth?? That's how I feel about the foreskin. Unless it causes a problem, then leave it alone! It was obviously meant to be there for a reason!

BenbenBeni
BenbenBeni
12 years ago

well, in the beginning he's talking about taking away the clitoris is the same thing as taking away the foreskin... c'mon! that's not the same thing!!! they don't take away the head... or am I wrong... Idk...

Shawn Dieppa
Shawn Dieppa
12 years ago

Hey a little message to all the people who say it is cruel and my son doesn't deserve it blah blah blah... My father is an urologist (Top notch guy with tons of awards and a Harvard degree) and I myself have been present many times at the procedure. I myself am circumsised. Thankfully I run less risk of getting infections because I have no foreskin. You ALL including this filmmaker really need to do better research. Talk to 10 Urologists and all of them will tell you that it is the best option. Talk to another 10 and you'll get the same answer. For those of you un-educated enough to know, a Urologist is: a doctor that specializes in the urinary tract system of males and females and the male genitalia. This documentary is spreading wrongful information. It is not cruel and it has not affected my life in a negative manner nor do I hate my parents for making the decision for me. They OBVIOUSLY were better informed than me at the time, so thank God they made the right choice and gave my penis a free and exposed head. Thank you!

Emily Stites
Emily Stites
12 years ago

I grew up just assuming that all boys/men were circumcised...it never really occurred to me that uncircumcised was really an option any more in this day and age. However when I got into my mid teens I began to step out side of the box and really start to do my own personal research. And I believe I have come to a decision regarding my future son/s. I would not want to circumcise my boys, I believe it to be unnecessary and cruel. However once they reach a decision making age, and they have the desire to be circumcised then I believe that is there decision to be made. And I will give them that choice as to whether or not they want to be circumcised.

J009_5B
J009_5B
12 years ago

In order to reduce the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV, the World Health Organization (WHO) is encouraging male circumcision. They have the following on their website:

"There is compelling evidence that male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%. Three randomized controlled trials have shown that male circumcision provided by well trained health professionals in properly equipped settings is safe. WHO/UNAIDS recommendations emphasize that male circumcision should be considered an efficacious intervention for HIV prevention in countries and regions with heterosexual epidemics, high HIV and low male circumcision prevalence.

Male circumcision provides only partial protection, and therefore should be only one element of a comprehensive HIV prevention package which includes:
- the provision of HIV testing and counseling services;
- treatment for sexually transmitted infections;
- the promotion of safer sex practices;
- the provision of male and female condoms and promotion of their correct and consistent use."

Any questions please ask the WHO.

Paul J
Paul J
12 years ago

I am 44 years old and as expected am circumcised. I agree with many of the comments here that it should be abolished on infants and be a decision for a grown man to make. I don't hate my mom for doing it (as far as I know she may have not even been asked). However, I often wonder how sex would be if I had my foreskin still intact. I know I always have to use a lubricant which would not be necessary if I had my foreskin which is a real pain. The bottom line here is the OWNER should make the decision, not parent. Don't give me "a parent makes decisions all the time for kids well-being, blah blah blah. This is not the same as oh he has a 104 temperature, should I take him to doctor?

Jas Lichno
Jas Lichno
12 years ago

Intact infant genitalia would be a smack in the face of a very peculiar God...

Pasaules zintnieks
Pasaules zintnieks
12 years ago

I`m kind of circumcised, but circumcision is not a common practice around here. I was born with mild hypospadias and got myself fixed at age of 17, so after the operation I had my foreskin removed, because the lower foreskin just was not there, I did it because the foreskin, which was in the upper side was just kind of a flab and only messed up everything, but I did it for medical purposes. No one shoud be circumcised when they are fully dependents in their ancestors.

Henry Krachouse
Henry Krachouse
12 years ago

dont worry if you cant satisfy your wife,she will make appointment with an african.nuff said!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DinorwicDan
DinorwicDan
12 years ago

The thing that really bothers me now is how doctors and church leaders are telling mothers-to-be that circumcision prevents HPV (genital warts). EXCUSE ME??? I don't think so! There is no way that removing a piece of skin all of a sudden makes you immune to viruses. You may not see the symptoms, or the symptoms may be different, but I am positive you would still get and transmit the disease. It just goes to show religion will lie about anything (and how gullible and stupid people are) to get people to practice thier ancient barbaric stupid rituals. I am not circumcised and I am extremely gratefull to my parents. HEY PEDRO, how do you figure, or scientifically prove that cutting of a piece of skin makes you immune to diseases? How and where has this been established?? Show me the evidence!

Guest
Guest
13 years ago

I always wondered what exactly circumcision originally meant in the bible, was it a practice to cut the penis skin or just a way of being circumcicle energetically. One more thing that perhaps was edited from the original words to fit a popular Jewish practice.
I always prefered a natural penis, the same way that i prefer every thing natural in my life including my sagging breast, my vagina that gave birth (at home) to two beautiful girls and the lines in my face that are defining my years of rumbling around.
I also think men that are "operated" on this way, lose a lot of sensitivity...but how can that be proven,...the ones that are will deny this and the ones that aren't will support this! May be women know best about this from witnessing the differences!
az

easycheez 11
easycheez 11
13 years ago

@ Pedro- How is a person walking around asking others their honest opinions propaganda? All persuasive media is not necessarily propaganda, but it is intentionally and openly persuasive.

Even if removal of the foreskin helps prevent some likelihood of HIV transmission in heterosexual males (and parents will have no idea what sexual orientation their child has), that doesn't mean it is more effective than educating your child and equipping them with safe sex resources.

When you say women LOVE it, what women? I know many women who prefer natural, un-modified genitalia. Do you think some cultures are justified in removing the complete labia majora and minora in women because "smooth" genitals are pretty?

Also, just because parents don't want to take the time to thoroughly clean their son, that doesn't make it more hygienic. It makes it easier, which is a poor excuse for cutting apart your son. Shall I scalp my daughter so I don't have to comb her hair?

Popular does not mean right. EVER. It wasn't true for slavery, it wasn't true for women's oppression, it isn't true for female genital mutilation. I say, it is not true for Male Circumcision.

If you want circumcision, FINE! That's your choice. Not anyone else's. I don't think it should be illegal, but I think that recipients need to be of age to give legal consent, like any other body modification like genital piercing and tattooing.

QueenBee
QueenBee
13 years ago

@Pedro: Uuuhhh do you even know how HIV is transmitted? Last I heard, the foreskin isn't exactly a condom...

Pedro
Pedro
13 years ago

Complete propaganda. Circumcision is the top way to prevent STDs, especially HIV. This has been established time and time again. It also increases sexual pleasure, contrary to popular propaganda. Most of all, though, women LOVE it. The advantages of circumcision are most pronounced (and safest) when conducted on a newborn. People, it's popular for a reason. Don't listen to people who are jealous that their members don't look as good as how they could. Not only that, it IS more hygienic. Any mother with one of each will tell you soon. As I said, it's popular for a reason. This is why they need to resort to propaganda to try and convince people otherwise.

david
david
13 years ago

Im not going to watch the documentary but i will comment. i was born in america and my parents circumsized me so "i wouldnt be made fun of." i think the procedure is wrong but i don't make them feel guilty about it. It is one among many oversteppings made by the American Ho$pital$ especially when it comes to childbirth.
when my son was born, it was not even a question.

Another common reason is "I want my son to look like me."
Nonsense!! The last thing my son is going to want to see is his papa's dong!! Ever! I mean, perhaps a tag team or two later down the line.
Its also seems common for mothers to look to the fathers to make this call. I say make the call Dads. This is how we move forward.

chalgija
chalgija
13 years ago

We the uncircumcised have learned to live with our disability and lack of a good hygene prerequisite mostly by using SOAP and WATER for personal hygene which goes a lot farther than your average surgical scalpel. And as far as health issues of an uncircumcised man goes...let's just say the procedure isn't common in my country or any of the surrounding ones (except for religious reasons and rarely health problems) and I don't really now anyone who had problems with that,
And if you spray around when you urinate, just pull the foreskin over :)))

sorry for the grammar and/or spelling

Sarah C
Sarah C
13 years ago

Long story short .. its just un-natural.

why are we the only species on the planet that performs this act?

Alex
Alex
13 years ago

Its cruel, they ought to protect their children and now they cut them, for ever !
can you imagine that ? stupid justifications... over and over again.

Henry
Henry
13 years ago

@Anna

Maybe I should have clarified that you shouldn't be stretching anything on a newborn and that includes his genitals. But around 1 year of age I believe (not sure) is a safe age to stretch it.

I do know what you mean about the skin being attached but I don't think anyone would be careless enough to pull so hard to rip their skin, it is to be done lightly, and over time it will stretch

I posted credible sources for my claims. Where are yours?

pulunco
pulunco
13 years ago

Rabz

You are right everyone should be concerned with his own and not about someone else's. Especially thier own newborn's foreskin. Leave it alone and let the child decide. Pretty simple stuff.

thebaglady
thebaglady
13 years ago

@jacob woods

someone didn't do their research. google female circumcision. and don't forget, we eject babies from our baby maker. I would find that to be a very "masculine" thing to do. but women bare the experience.

Morgan
Morgan
13 years ago

Check out foregen as they're raising money to regenerate everything lost to circumcision, google foregen

Porkenheimer
Porkenheimer
13 years ago

" Clara " + " Anna "

Actually , I was not aware that a baby's foreskin is not retractable yet ...

This only further demonstrates God's infinite wisdom , since
if the skin is not retractable , that area cannot get contaminated , which makes perfect sense , since the baby cannot take care of it ( and , unfortunately , sometimes
babies don't have parents anymore , but still get to keep
their gear )

Porkenheimer
Porkenheimer
13 years ago

" Henry "

All that not withstanding that , according to the top notch
ancient Ayurvedic system of medicine , one is supposed to , besides actively washing , also lubricate the " five gates " of the body , namely eyes , ears , mouth , penis and anus
(I suspect the two latter gates' proper names will be not appear and be censored , since in the retentive West ,
those words are " dirty " and taboo )

Now properly washing and showering after a BM , instead of
simply wiping with paper , that should be a major concern
to any civilized individual , instead of gettin' in there
with a butcher knife from day one !!!

Anna
Anna
13 years ago

@Rabz- good for him. If he can't figure out how to wash himself, maybe he should take drastic measures. The point is, he has a choice.

It is people, like you and your husband, who I have to concern myself with. People who think it is ok to cut a child's genitals. You are sick, and need professional help.

Rabz
Rabz
13 years ago

My husband has chosen to get circumcised, he wishes his parents had done it when he was young.

Mainly, he is doing it for hygiene reasons and he gets discomfort.

Why doesn't everybody calm down and concern themselves with their own genitals instead of everybody elses?

James Loewen
James Loewen
13 years ago

Looking at the ignorant comments here in support of forced circumcision of children its understandable why this unethical tampering with children's genitals has persisted this long.

Those of you who are circumcised (and in support of circumcision) are acting as if erogenous penis skin was the worst thing on earth and boy are you glad someone sliced off half of yours. I wonder, how much more of your penis skin offends you? How much more do you think should be cut off?

You have trouble washing what's left of your penis? Then why do you think you or your son would have trouble washing and caring for a whole penis?

Willful ignorance is what has keep the circumcision business going in the USA. Its coming to an end though as more people are informed and speaking out. Celebrities are even starting to speak out. Thanks Ben Affleck, Mario Lopez, Alan Cummings!

Soon the barbarity of forced circumcision will come to an end. Every child will be allowed to keep their whole genitals. Human rights and sanity will prevail.

Barefoot Intactivist
Barefoot Intactivist
13 years ago

Circumcision is extremely harmful & unethical. In 20 years time, maybe sooner, it will be banned in the U.S., and the country will look back in horror at what was allowed to happen to its children.

Just take a step back for a second -- we're talking about amputating a vital part of a baby boy's (future man's) genitalia as part of an ancient blood ritual. We've already banned this outright for baby girls (future women). What more do you need to know?

m1tche11
m1tche11
13 years ago

circumcumcision should be a personal choice. some boys will deeply regret a parent making that choice for them.

Anna
Anna
13 years ago

@Henry- you are misinformed. You are not supposed to pull back the foreskin on an infant, as it is fused to the head and should not be forcefully separated. It will do so on its own, no need for parental stretching. Lots of doctors are confused by the intact penis, and that may have been why you got the 'stretch or mutilate' response. It is not common practice to need to stretch the foreskin of an infant by any means.

Your son may have had a condition where he actually did have a tight foreskin, obviously I cannot know, but please do not spread misinformation. The normal thing to do is leave it alone.

Thank you for speaking up for infant boys against circumcision.

Sarah
Sarah
13 years ago

Infant circumcision is a barbaric, tortuous, genital mutilation of non-consenting males. If a person wants to be circumcised as an adult, fine, but little boys are protected under the 14th amendment and therefore, infant circumcision is already illegal. Now, it just needs to be enforced.

Porkenheimer
Porkenheimer
13 years ago

" Hecs "

I guess to carry a tiny water sprayer , to peel back that
God given foreskin , and spray a lil water after peeing is
asking too much from a trillions of $$$ modern army !!!

P.S. And actually washing one's rear end , instead of just
smearing it with paper is asking too much from the
" civilized " and " advanced " Western world !!!

Hecs
Hecs
13 years ago

I went out with a guy that had to be circumsized at the age of 36 because his foreskin would quite regularly split when he had an erection or intercourse. The agony of having the procedure done as an adult (picture stitches around the lip of the head and then imagine a morning glory) is avoided by the procedure being done when you are young.

My father was in the army and he said by the end of three weeks in the bush without a shower (there was no way of washing regularly) you could tell the guys that were not circumsized by the uncomfortable way they walked.

A fully informed decision is always best and it comes down to your personal experiences and judgement as a parent - there was way more information on the "FORS" than there was on the "AGAINSTS" when my children were born.

Porkenheimer
Porkenheimer
13 years ago

" Kat "

Congratulations ...

Whoever told you that a peeled "ready freddy" looks better ,
likes makin' out with the neighbor's Bouvier ...

Even unpeeled , a wieny is an ugly thing , but at least with
the foreskin , it doesn't look as desperate ...

Kat
Kat
13 years ago

I have never gone through with circumcising my son.
He is now going on 5 yrs old and healthy in
that area. I have done what is needed to help his
foreskin fold and taught him how to take care of it
himself.
I feel its mutilation and he needs his foreskin.
If the male was born with foreskin, there is obviously a
natural need for it. Why take it away?!

I hope my son is happy with my choices to keep
him uncircumcised and complete.

All I have heard out of these people is vane answers.
"It looks better"
"Its easier to take care of"

They do not give the child a choice,
instead go with circumcising due to there own
vanity.
It is not the parents decision. You take away your
child's free will when you do such horrible things to them.
Then expect them to learn and use free will as you raise them.
Hypocritical to me.

Don't mutilate your boys people.

Riley
Riley
13 years ago

rofl

Porkenheimer
Porkenheimer
13 years ago

" Riley "

I don't never see what guys do in public bathrooms , 'cause I never go in there ...

I use a tiny sprayer on my wieny and hand , in the bushes ...