How common is circumcision in the US?

[MumOfLucian]

I am wanting to know what the circumcision rate is in the US? I have come across a couple of blogs that say between 70 to 80% of males are circumcised.

I never knew it was such a contentious issue in the US. The circumcision rate is very low in NZ, and according to a NZ website, about 10% of males are circumcised due to religious and cultural beliefs. Doctors never mention it when your son is born, and it appears to be an accepted fact that males are not circumcised. It is a not an issue here in NZ if you don't want to have your son circumcised, yet it is an issue if you do want to.

There was a documentary on TV a couple of years ago about circumcision and how hard it was for parents to get there sons circumcised in NZ. There are only two doctors in NZ who will do it, with the rest of the medical establishment against it. Some parents even have to fly to Australia to get their sons circumcised.

Personally, I am against circumcision. It is a form of genital mutilation, and the foreskin serves an important function for reproductive health. My son is not circumcised.

[tlh]

During the 1950's to the 70's about 90% of boys were circumcised and the rates dropped to the 60% range by the 80's and in the 90's dropped to about 50% of boys circumcised.So the figures you saw were probably about right or a little high.

[Cavy]

Within the USA It's more common in some communities than others (bit like formula-feeding), it varies a lot geographically with local politics, traditions, local hospital conventional practice, etc.

I have a (perhaps untrue & unfair?!) stereotype idea that circ is much more common in the Southern states, in the Fly-over States (midwest) & among white (especially WASP) & African-American communities.

[MommytoB]

Certain parts of california like the SO california part may be more likely slightly higher than the north california parts .

At least in california you won't get pressured or ask over again about circumcision .

[hillymum]

This is an interesting article to read. Gives a better idea of what's going on in the US.
The rate is going down, but it is still far too high IMO.

[eepster]

The practice became routine during the post WW2 baby boom. Before that while it had a lot of support, birth wasn't as institutionalized. During the 40s, 50s, 60s and into the early 70s it was done automatically without notifying the parents or obtaining consent. Obviously during this time the circ rate was quite high.

In the 70s doctors became required to obtain consent before circ'ing. The circ rate actually continued to climb. Consent forms were simply slipped in with the other paper work, and most people just signed away. Though it did take a brief dip during this decade if memory serves me when the AAP recommended against it, but they were soon pressured into adopting the neutral stance they have today.

It kept rising till it hit it's high point in the 80s, where escape circ was nearly impossible for little boys. By the 80s people just viewed it as what everyone did. By now there were few people who remembered a time when one didn't do it. I think this was the time they even started circ'ing preemies when they left the hospital (though I'd have to double check that, so don't quote me.)

In the last 90s as the internet started to become a place where people could really connect and the whole idea that birth wasn't something that was controlled by Drs, but something people made choices about, the circ rate started to fall.

These days the rate is just 55% and has been steadily dropping for years. Though the ridiculous HIV "studies" have propped the practice up for a bit, since the studies really don't hold water, the practice will likely continue to decline steadily, especially once the 45% of boys who weren't circ'd come of age.

[BamaDude]

Originally Posted by Cavy

Within the USA It's more common in some communities than others (bit like formula-feeding), it varies a lot geographically with local politics, traditions, local hospital conventional practice, etc.

I have a (perhaps untrue & unfair?!) stereotype idea that circ is much more common in the Southern states, in the Fly-over States (midwest) & among white (especially WASP) & African-American communities.

I can't speak for the Midwest, but here in the Southern states circumcision never quite caught on like it did in other parts of the country. Generally, only males born in "big city" hospitals were circumcised (although there was a certain segment of more rural society who took circumcision of their male children to be a mark of affluence because they could afford to have them at the "big city" hospitals), and even today there are certain groups who do not allow their male children to be circumcised.

[MyBoysBlue]

When they say 70% to 80% of US males are Circed, I take it to mean all males of all ages. But 55% is just new born males. I think when they quote the higher numbers it's used to be a bit decitful and imply that the numbers are not really dropping.

[tennisdude23]

Originally Posted by eepster

The practice became routine during the post WW2 baby boom. Before that while it had a lot of support, birth wasn't as institutionalized. During the 40s, 50s, 60s and into the early 70s it was done automatically without notifying the parents or obtaining consent. Obviously during this time the circ rate was quite high.

In the 70s doctors became required to obtain consent before circ'ing. The circ rate actually continued to climb. Consent forms were simply slipped in with the other paper work, and most people just signed away. Though it did take a brief dip during this decade if memory serves me when the AAP recommended against it, but they were soon pressured into adopting the neutral stance they have today.

It kept rising till it hit it's high point in the 80s, where escape circ was nearly impossible for little boys. By the 80s people just viewed it as what everyone did. By now there were few people who remembered a time when one didn't do it. I think this was the time they even started circ'ing preemies when they left the hospital (though I'd have to double check that, so don't quote me.)

In the last 90s as the internet started to become a place where people could really connect and the whole idea that birth wasn't something that was controlled by Drs, but something people made choices about, the circ rate started to fall.

These days the rate is just 55% and has been steadily dropping for years. Though the ridiculous HIV "studies" have propped the practice up for a bit, since the studies really don't hold water, the practice will likely continue to decline steadily, especially once the 45% of boys who weren't circ'd come of age.

I wanted to point out that the statistics pertaining to what happened in the 1970's and 80s are contentious. While indeed the circumcision rate grew during the 50s and 60s and reached a high of 85-90%, due to the surgery being automatic in many hospitals, it was probably in the early 70s when it peaked, just as "informed consent" became standardized. This is of course speculation because good statistics on the issue are hard to come by, which is why current rates remain disputed (55% is nevertheless a pretty good estimate). To my knowledge though, the circumcision rate experienced a significant decline in the 80s, and amongst people of my age demographic (mid, late 80s), it probably fell to 70% or so, if not lower. At this point, the vast majority of U.S. doctors were not recommending circumcision anymore, with some insurance companies beginning to drop their coverage. This led to declines across the country, especially in California, which dropped Medicaid coverage in 1982. In the 80s, U.S. demographics were also changing, with new waves of immigrants coming from Latin America, East Asia, the Soviet republics, and countries of East Central Europe. These groups did not practice circumcision and most likely further caused the rate to drop. It's also important to point out that across the border in Canada, most public hospitals at this time were dropping circumcision from the package of routine care, underscoring my central point that while the internet was indeed a significant development for the circumcision issue, the trend for a lower rate began long before.

[Night_Nurse]

Does NZ need nurses? I'd love to work in an area where circ wasn't an issue. My state (TX) supposedly has a circ rate around 65 - 70%, I think, but the rate where I work is very high, maybe around 90% It seems like even some of the immigrant babies are getting circed nowdays.

[SlackerDad]

Good posts.

I had gotten a sense here and there (with the character of Kenneth on 30 Rock) for instance) that it was a stereotype of rural white Southerners that they were uncircumcised (unfortunate that there was always at least a slight level of looking down one's nose about this stereotype!). In the Midwest it's definitely highly highly prevalent.

I agree too that it's going to be really key when the intact children of today start having kids of their own.

[riverscout]

Originally Posted by Cavy

I have a (perhaps untrue & unfair?!) stereotype idea that circ is much more common in the Southern states, in the Fly-over States (midwest) & among white (especially WASP) & African-American communities.

Not true about the South. The Midwest has the highest rate, followed by the Northeast, then the South, then the West.

I'm in a Southern state, and last I checked, the rate was nearing 50% here. Also, it's one of the few states where medicaid will not pay for circumcision. The default at the hospital where I had my children is that boys will not be circumcised.

[BlessedMommy2006]

Very, very common where I live unfortunately.

[MumOfLucian]

Originally Posted by Night_Nurse

Does NZ need nurses? I'd love to work in an area where circ wasn't an issue. My state (TX) supposedly has a circ rate around 65 - 70%, I think, but the rate where I work is very high, maybe around 90% It seems like even some of the immigrant babies are getting circed nowdays.

Yes, NZ has a shortage of nurses!!!!! The salary may not be as good (graduate nurses start on about $46,000 and most senior nurses are on $60,000 to $70,000 a year. But that is in NZ dollars).

But thanks everyone for your responses. Personally, 50% is still quite high, and it saddens me to see how parents in the US have to try and find paeds who are uncirc-friendly. I'm not saying that the NZ health system is perfect, but at least people have a choice.

I'm still learning quite a bit, and it interesting to know the comparisons between the two countries.

[SlackerDad]

Originally Posted by MumOfLucian

Personally, 50% is still quite high, and it saddens me to see how parents in the US have to try and find paeds who are uncirc-friendly. I'm not saying that the NZ health system is perfect, but at least people have a choice.

I'm still learning quite a bit, and it interesting to know the comparisons between the two countries.

I confess that while I am embarrassed and chagrined that our country has such a high circ rate, it's hard to hear tut-tutting from a "foreigner" as even a godless pinko librul like me has a certain amount of pride in my home country. Please, go easy on us--we here on this board are doing our best!

[MumOfLucian]

Originally Posted by SlackerDad

I confess that while I am embarrassed and chagrined that our country has such a high circ rate, it's hard to hear tut-tutting from a "foreigner" as even a godless pinko librul like me has a certain amount of pride in my home country. Please, go easy on us--we here on this board are doing our best!

I've got nothing against Americans, I just get upset on how medical procedures are pushed onto parents, and the lack of choice people have in certain things. I'm only going by from what I read and what is presented in the media, and in no way am I putting your country down. I think it might a bit of bit of cultural misunderstanding on my part, and I am a very upfront person on matters like this. So I am sorry of I have offended you in anyway, as it was unintentional.

[riverscout]

Originally Posted by MumOfLucian

Personally, 50% is still quite high, and it saddens me to see how parents in the US have to try and find paeds who are uncirc-friendly. I'm not saying that the NZ health system is perfect, but at least people have a choice.

50% is high, but it's better than the 90% it used to be a few decades ago. RIC if falling out of favor here, but it's not going to happen overnight.

And every single parent here has a choice with regards to RIC. They may not be aware of their choice, but they have one. If someone does not want to circumcise their son, no one can make them. Pressure maybe depending on where they are but not force.

And I don't know of anyone IRL that has had a problem finding a pediatrician that's knowledgeable and respectful of intact boys. I mean with it being about 50/50, they would really have to be.

If you're getting most your info about this issue in the States from online forums, then you're going to have a skewed picture of the reality of things here. Most people only come to forums like this when they have concerns or problems, not when things are going fine.

[PuppyFluffer]

MumofLucian, I don't see any offense intended in your observation of circumcision rates in the US. I can say, I share the shock and frustration that baby boy's body's are not respected as they are created.

There is a demonstration in Washington DC annually on this issue. I have attended for the last three years. It's held at the end of April/beginning of May which is the start of the cherry blossom bloom. Washington DC is a tourist destination for many Americans as well as foreigners. I have had and overheard some interesting conversations with people from other countries. Frequently they don't think the issue is genuine. They think that since we have such freedom of speech here that we are just taking our freedom and being outlandish about it. They have no idea that circumcision really happens here or was ever so prevalant. They are shocked and even disgusted that we do this to baby boys.

Marilyn Milos founded the organizatin NOCIRC 30 years ago after she witnessed her first circumcision as a nurse. She attended the demonstration last spring and said that the national rate of circ in the US was 53%. I don't have a citation for that number.

I live near northern Virginia, eastern WV and MD and I understand that the circ rate here is quite high - difinitely over 75%.

I hold the medical community fully responsible for this as they solicitate circs.

To a lesser degree, I hold parents responsible. I believe that no caring person would knowingly ask for their child to suffer a circumcision if they truly knew what it involved. I think the vast majority of parents have no clue what they are requesting and consenting to when they sign a circ form. They are truly ignorant. But they also have a duty to learn about the decisions that they will be confronted with when they have a child. AND the medical community has the responsibility to do full education, which they don't provide. So, it comes right back to the medical community.

There is a great deal of blind trust granted to doctors. There are also a lot of people who have few choices in care providers due to insurance constraints and financial issues. I think not enough patients question and learn what is happening to them (or their children). It can be hard to be a questioning person seeking informed consent in the medical community. You get labeled "difficult" or "distrustful" or "angry" when you ask questions and buck the system. I know, this happened to me this summer.

I think the circumcision rate would drop drastically in the US if doctors would stop asking "Are you going to circumcise?" and nurses would stop asking "When is his circumicsion?" No one can have a serious discussion of this without also following the money trail. Doctors get paid to do circs. Foreskins are used for medical reserach. They are a useable commodity.

I am very grateful that the idea of circucmsion has always been an assault to my sensibilites. It was never something that I would have considered. But, that so many do has led me to want to understand why they do and to work on the things that would promote education to protect babies.

[SlackerDad]

Originally Posted by MumOfLucian

I'm only going by from what I read and what is presented in the media, and in no way am I putting your country down. I think it might a bit of bit of cultural misunderstanding on my part, and I am a very upfront person on matters like this. So I am sorry of I have offended you in anyway, as it was unintentional.

It's not that you are incorrect in your information, not at all. It's just that it's hard to hear the criticism from an outsider who is not in the middle of the problem but is criticising from elsewhere and commenting about how where they live, people would never be so awful.

For instance (I did a bit of research to be able to provide an analogous scenario you might be able to appreciate) what if someone came on a message board of predominantly Kiwis and expressed shock and indignation at the high child murder rate in NZ? You might agree that it is unacceptably high, but you might feel a bit bent out of shape that someone from another country was coming in and sort of looking down on your society as backwards and violent. See what I mean?

I don't mean to criticise you personally; I'm just pointing out how this can be a sticky wicket.

[ursaminor]

Originally Posted by SlackerDad

It's not that you are incorrect in your information, not at all. It's just that it's hard to hear the criticism from an outsider who is not in the middle of the problem but is criticising from elsewhere and commenting about how where they live, people would never be so awful.

For instance (I did a bit of research to be able to provide an analogous scenario you might be able to appreciate) what if someone came on a message board of predominantly Kiwis and expressed shock and indignation at the high child murder rate in NZ? You might agree that it is unacceptably high, but you might feel a bit bent out of shape that someone from another country was coming in and sort of looking down on your society as backwards and violent. See what I mean?

I don't mean to criticise you personally; I'm just pointing out how this can be a sticky wicket.

I do not think the question was highly critical of the US. This is an Intactivist forum, and it was a question regarding circumcision. Much different then going on a forum of predominantly New Zelanders and asking 'why high child murder rate?'