Why is male circumcision routine practice on baby boys in the US?

Question

Religious practice and medical problems aside, it seems barbaric to remove a part of the body that causes no harm. I keep hearing the argument that it is cleaner and prevents diseases but in the UK, where boys are not generally circumcised, I have never come across anyone who has had a problem with their foreskin. Surely a shower/wash a day is all that is needed. What do other people think?

Answer 1

For the same sort of reasons why scented tampons were restricted to popularity to the US until recently and why the trend in shaving or otherwise removing pubic hair was lead by the US. There is a cultural motive for being super-clean, even to the point where health is put at risk. There are no valid religious arguments, no valid medical benefits, for the most part it seems to be cultural and traditional over anything else – there is a great rise in people educating themselves on the issues involved in infant circumcision, however for the most part it is still ingrained in people's culture.

A while ago someone on a health forum questioned my banner I had in my signature against male circumcision, it lead to a huge number of young women attacking me for standing against routine infant circumcision no matter how many reliable sources I stated for the risk of health, as well as lives, of the infants involved, as well as other issues such as general sexual well-being and human rights violations – it was shocking to say the least that so many young women seemed so uncaring not just for the health/lives of infants but so blatantly unaware of the importance of the penis and foreskin for boys and men.

I think to some degree you have to bare in mind that mothers do still have the last say on how a baby is cared for, and as so many women are seemingly unfeeling towards this issue they fail to see the problem and so fail to look into the issue more in depth.

The fact is there are no valid reasons for routine infant circumcision, thus a large push to get the practice banned, it is fair in my eyes to paint male infant circumcision with the same brush as female infant circumcision – there are still serious and life-threatening risks involved, breach of human rights, and effect to sexuality.

A wash is all that is needed, the only medical benifits are minute in comparrison to the health risks.

Answer 2

Circumcision was originally done because people genuinely felt it was cleaner, less prone to diseases, and prevented masturbation. It grew popular seemingly overnight and became so ingrained into the US culture that after a generation or two, few knew what a foreskin looked like. As such it became maligned and appeared foreign, and all sorts of myths and rumors arose.

The foreskin is not dirty and it's really easy to clean and keep clean. Many people don't really realize that, nor do they care. It's not significantly more prone to diseases, if at all. What's more important than circumcision status is sex behavior anyway. And condoms >>>> circumcision. The link between circumcision and HIV is to be taken very carefully, as there are arguments on both sides (see link).

So there are no real medical reasons for routine infant circumcisions, it's more of a cultural thing. It's actually not routine anymore in the US and the rate has dropped to between 50-60% now, and continues to drop slowly. Rates still vary depending on the region of the country. Sometimes I wish people would give people more credit, rather than not trusting them to take care of themselves, as a lot of problems concerning circumcision and foreskin is easily avoidable.

Answer 3

Male circumcision reached a peak in the 1980's, when close to 90% of male US children were circumcised. Today, the rate is close to 50% and falling each year.

The American Association of Paediatrics, and the American Medical Association have both stated that routine circumcision is unnecessary and not recommended.

In the adult male, the foreskin provides thousands of nerve endings that add pleasure during sex. The foreskin's purpose is to keep the glans (head) covered so that the nerve endings there are not damaged by rubbing against other objects. When the foreskin is removed, a thin layer of keratin (skin) develops over the glans to protect it; in the adult male, this further reduces sensitivity.

Muslim and Jewish faiths require circumcision as a relgious rite; but no country other than the US practices circumcision for other reasons.

The foreskin is just like any other part of your body; it needs to be cleaned daily. As long as this is done, there are no health or hygiene risks associated with it.

Answer 4

Any country that doesn't have a large majority of Jews or Muslims. Usually they aren't the ones that practice. However the US and the Pillipines do it for "culture". There are two countries in Europe where circumcision under the age of an adult is illegal. (YAY for those countries I hope America can join them someday) So really only religious countries then the Philipines and the US. Everyone else other than those don't practice it. -Connor

Answer 5

I have two little boys and they are not circumcised, there are more and more people in the us that are not doing the barbaric thing, it is not right and there are over 4,000 nerve endings taht are removed and if it necessary then why do we not do it to little girls??? It is just what the curch told everyone to do a long time ago and that is what they have done since, with out anyone thinking about the necessity, it was done in bible times for grown men to show their love for god then it was quit... God did not tell them to continue it.

Answer 6

well there was a myth that it was cleaner and more sanitary. but if a boy is taught how to clean then there really is no problem. and now there is a myth that some how sexual pleasure is somehow effected. this is not the case either. so really no differacne either way just comes down to being the same as everyone else. with a 90% rate in the US it makes little sense to not cut unless you really feel like its a bad thing.

Answer 7

Well it may have started out to be the most popular choice
in the US because of that out-dated cleanliness argument.
But now most mothers have it done so there boy doesn't
look different from the other boys, for insecurity reasons;
since it has just become the norm.

Answer 8

Because they have this strange idea that it is more healthy.
All but one of the men I have known have kept their foreskin and had no problems what so ever.
Next thing you know they will be removing toes just incase they get stubbed later on in life!

Answer 9

The newer thinking is to discontinue the practice but, the older heads are pretty slow to keep up with the times.

Answer 10

I think circumsion has no any medical reason rather it is only the religious dogma. In Hindu religion, there is no tradition of circumsion where they are healthy enough. I like not to circumcize. Those people who circumcize they only serch for the medical reason but it is only to justify their deal rather it is old tradition.