Why is the U.S. the only country that routinely circumcises?

Question

From what I'm told it's better to be uncut

Answer 1

Stupidity
Yes it is better to be uncut as Mother Nature intended

Answer 2

There is no medical reason for circumcision, and in the US the rate has dropped each year for newborns since 1968. Today, around 65% of boys are circumcised at birth. There is a wide distribution - in western states, the rate is only 39%, whereas in central states it is much higher.

The American Medical Association and the American Association of Paediatrics now agree that routine circumcision is unnecessary. It does not affect STD infection rates, nor does it have anything to do with penile cancer rates (though hygiene in general IS a factor for penile cancer, there is no difference in hygiene between circumcised and uncircumcised men - though boys do have to be taught to pull the foreskin back when showering).

An adult male's foreskin contains thousands of nerve endings which are removed in circumcision; this considerably reduces sexual pleasure. Of course, men who were circumcised at birth don't know what this feels like, and therefore don't miss it.

The head of the penis, once exposed to the air, produces a protective layer of keratin that further reduces sexual sensation.

All in all, it is less and less common in the US, is medically unnecessary, and does not provide any benefit to the man.

Other countries perform circumcisions for religious reasons, but the US is the only country with such high rates of non-religous circumcision.

Answer 3

Because the US was founded by Puritans. And although the New Testament gives no commandment to cut the genitals of helpless newborns, some quacks in the late 1800's started a campaign for "moral hygiene" that included circumcision in order to curb masturbation.

I think it is very odd, that as the only industrialized, first-world nation that routinely tortures infant boys in this manner, we have an APPALLINGLY high rate of STDs (including HIV and HPV.) higher even than countries like Belgium, where prostitution is legal! Guess amputating the prepuce doesn't work as well as a good old condom.

Answer 4

That's not true. Many families in Canada and Australia also opt for the procedure. In Muslim and most African countries circumcision is the norm too. The Philippines and South Korea has a long circumcision tradition as well.

Why they choose circumcision? Keep reading...

CIRCUMCISION IS VERY BENEFICIAL, its cleaner and several research bodies have concluded that circumcised men have less risk of contracting STD's such as AIDS-HIV or herpes.

Is it NOT true that the AAP (American Academy of Paediatrics) does not recommend circumcision. They simply say they leave the decision to parents. But recently, and specially after the New Zealand study, the AAP has been discussing if it may be necessary to change their policy and recommend circumcision to all newborns as they used to do, so in the future we may see that the AAP advocates again circumcision.
Have a look at: http://www.baby-health.net/articles/381.html

About STD's:

As I said, several studies carried out by prestigious research bodies have concluded that uncircumcised penises are more prone to infections and contraction of STD's, including AIDS-HIV. Circumcised men have been proved to be up to seven times less likely to be infected than those who are uncircumcised. Have a look at this site: http://icuxbridge.icnetwork.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=14095142&method=full&siteid=53340&headline=-circumcision-protects-against-aids--name_page.html

As for women, studies also show that circumcision also protects female partners from AIDS-HIV and other STD's. Browse this article: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2006/02_08_06.html

About sensitivity of a circumcised penis:

No medical or physiological study has proved that circumcision reduces sensitivity, opposed to common belief. It is completely FALSE that circumcision reduces penis sensitivity. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) confirms this on their web site; have a look at: http://www.aap.org/pubed/zzzjzmemh4c.htm

Circumcision is an easy and nowadays *painless* procedure, which has many benefits, and virtually no risks.
Circumcision is NOT an amputation. Circumcision is NOT comparable at all to female circumcision, which is something completely different.

Circumcision rates are INCREASING nowadays, both in the United States and overseas. Many African and South American countries with little circumcision tradition are starting to promote the procedure to help to reduce the AIDS-HIV infection rates.

Finally, this site has a lot of useful and *unbiased* information. Make sure you have a good look: http://www.circlist.com

Answer 5

Most men in Israel and most muslim countries are circumcised, too. It's neither better nor worse to be uncut, but it's probably medically unnecessary.

Answer 6

the christian religion makes it clear that circumcision is of no spiritual or moral value. don;t blame it on our New Testament.

when God told the Israelites to do it - it was the same idea as when cattle ranchers brand a mark on their cattle to mark them as belonging to them. same with the guys' penises. Isn't it ODD that God would choose to put the mark of His covenant on the penis,
OF ALL PLACES, mind you?????

I know that circumcision has strong sexual overtones and erotic connotations. Rabbinic sages taught that the Lord wanted to remind men of their covenant with Him each time they held their penis.


furthermore the sage Moses Maimonides teaches that circumcision was ordered by God to weaken the male organ of procreation and to reduce the pleasure involved, so that men would be moderate in their sexual appetite. Maimonides teaches that if a Jewish woman ever has sex with an uncircumcised man, her pleasure and delight in him will be so GREAT that she will never leave him.

You will find all this in the GUIDE TO THE PERPLEXED. by Moses maimonides.

Answer 7

i dont know but here in Australia there is a long waiting list so if you want your son done they would be like 8 months old or something so that deters alot of people

Answer 8

Americans believe in cleanliness. Uncut penies are more prone to infections caused from a build up of smegma. Also more prone to urinary tract infections and yeast infections if hooded.

Answer 9

People in the USA tend to think it is more hygienic to be 'cut',which really is not true.I was born and raised in the USA,and have spared my sons this unnecessary surgery.

Answer 10

Your question should be what other countries circumcise...

Islamic nations routinely practice circumcism such as Iraq,Iran, Kuwait, African nations also practice circumcism of males & females and Israel practices it cuz of the Jewish faith.

p.s.--> it is healthier to be circumsized with respect to hygiene & prevention of infections