Circumcision Rates Fall in the United States

Routine infant circumcision has been dropping since the 70's but a new study released says it's at an all time low, according to the Associated Press.

The National Health and Life Survey reports that circumcision rates in the United States are now down to 57% among males born. That number is low compared to a whopping 90% circumcision rate in the 1960's. Some states have an even lower amount of routine circumcisions done at the rate of less than 50% of males are circumcised after birth. California has the least amount of newborns circumcised and reported 21% in 2004.

Circumcision is a surgical procedure removing the foreskin from the penis and is routinely done in the hospital to newborn baby boys. Despite the fact that there is a ton of evidence available that it is not only unnecessary but harmful and dangerous, many parents still end up choosing to have their babies circumcised. Medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics do not recommend routine infant circumcisions and most health professionals agree that it is a cosmetic procedure.

Even Jewish circumcision rates are going down, once a religious ceremony generally done when the male is 8 days old; this practice is becoming less common as parents are researching before making the decision to have it done to their infant.

Lower circumcision rates across the US may be a combination of immigration and information according to some experts. Other countries do not routinely circumcise their males without any medical reason, so when foreigners come here it may not even be something they've considered. The thought to cut off part of their newborn's body may just not occur to them. The worldwide circumcision rate is equal to about 1 out of every three males. So two-thirds of the entire male population remains intact.