It's a boy! A documentary by the Jewish journalist and film director Victor Schonfeld
In 1995, 15 Square (aka NORM-UK at the time) had some major exposure. In truth, this exposure was what helped launch us as a charity. 25 years on and the documentary that helped introduce 15 Square to the world is still relevant today.
Viktor Schönfeld is a Jewish film-maker based in the UK expertly directed the documentary: It’s A Boy. You can see the full film here.
For those who are new to the issue of male circumcision and the serious complications that can arise, the film captures the harrowing story of a baby boy who’s circumcision goes wrong. The agonising trauma that the boy experiences is mirrored only by his parents as Schönfeld captures the journey on film.
Discretion is advised, this documentary may be difficult for some to watch, however, it’s contents are vital to the work that 15 Square undertakes every day.
If you are affected by any of the issues in this article please contact us
The documentary is informative for parents
It really shows an aspect to circumcision that parents are never told about but everyone should understand.
For many people who come from cultures that practice this, only seeing is believing when it comes to evidence of harm. Understandably, they are not told about the dark side to circumcision with many sufferers opting to choose silence rather than rock the boat, and even more men not understanding the irreversible changes that have been impressed upon them.
If seeing is believing, there can be no doubt after watching It’s A Boy.
While it is more graphic and difficult to watch than some documentaries, the essence of this families struggle is laid bare before the audience.
Why this documentary is so important to 15 Square's mission!
At 15 Square, it is our hope that we can support boys, men, and their families who have been through similar difficulties.
We want to promote awareness and education so that parents are not encouraged to perform unnecessary surgeries that can cause emotional and physical harm. We also want to help men solve their own health issues without resorting to circumcision if it is unnecessary.
This documentary will show you why this mission is so important to us. Most of our supporters are family members or individuals who have been misguided about the safety, efficacy and consequences of circumcision. Many of these men were given no choice in their circumcision and are frustrated that they did not consent. We encourage caution and consent.
Whilst it is not always easy to watch, it is incredibly important and educational. With discretion advised, we encourage readers to check out It’s A Boy.
If you would like to watch the documentary, you can find it here.
One of the most common questions asked by parents with regards to circumcision is “Will circumcision hurt my baby?”
Is your husband was in favour of it because he wants his son’s penis to look like his.
This might sound strange, but this is a frequent reason given by fathers who are for the procedure.
Of course, there is no “compromise” between the desires of the two parents in this scenario making a middle ground resolution impossible.
The only true ‘compromise’ then is to consider the wishes of the child. As the baby cannot consent, the best interests of the child can only be discovered when they are old enough to consent.
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