2008 Woodie Awards
Circumcision rates stay high in Midwest
Zhi Xiong - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 6/25/07 Section: Metro
The ancient Greeks and Romans passed laws banning male circumcision. But Midwesterners don't seem to agree.
More than 80 percent of male infants born in hospitals in such states as Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska had their foreskins surgically removed in 2004, higher than many other regions in the United States.
"The U.S. is unique - actually, it is unusual - in its common practice of pediatric circumcision," said Tarah Colaizy, a UI assistant professor of pediatrics. "We're really the only country in the world that does it without religious reason."
While it became popular in the late 19th century and early 20th century, male circumcision for non-religious reasons has lost favor in the past two decades. The national average was under 50 percent in 2004 - an 11.3 percent drop since its peak in the 1980s, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
One explanation for the decline is an influx of immigration from Latin American and Asian countries, where the procedure is not the norm. As such, the percentage of circumcised babies is lowest in the Western part of the country.
For some, male circumcision is a necessary ritual rather than a choice. In the Jewish tradition, the bris is a religious ceremony welcoming the child into the community. It is in fact a commandment the Jews followed under the threat of death from the Greeks, said Rabbi Jeff Portman of Agudas Achim Congregation, 602 E. Washington St.
"I've only had one or two [families] in 30-some years who chose not to circumcise their son," Portman said.
But the ever-controversial issue is whether circumcision in infancy is necessary for health reasons. Since the 19th century, it has been known to lower chances of penile cancer - an extremely rare disease - and urinary tract infections during the first year of life.
Strong pro-circumcision evidence came from a February study of adult heterosexual men in Africa: Those who were circumcised were found to have a 60 percent lower rate of contracting HIV.
More than 80 percent of male infants born in hospitals in such states as Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska had their foreskins surgically removed in 2004, higher than many other regions in the United States.
"The U.S. is unique - actually, it is unusual - in its common practice of pediatric circumcision," said Tarah Colaizy, a UI assistant professor of pediatrics. "We're really the only country in the world that does it without religious reason."
While it became popular in the late 19th century and early 20th century, male circumcision for non-religious reasons has lost favor in the past two decades. The national average was under 50 percent in 2004 - an 11.3 percent drop since its peak in the 1980s, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
One explanation for the decline is an influx of immigration from Latin American and Asian countries, where the procedure is not the norm. As such, the percentage of circumcised babies is lowest in the Western part of the country.
For some, male circumcision is a necessary ritual rather than a choice. In the Jewish tradition, the bris is a religious ceremony welcoming the child into the community. It is in fact a commandment the Jews followed under the threat of death from the Greeks, said Rabbi Jeff Portman of Agudas Achim Congregation, 602 E. Washington St.
"I've only had one or two [families] in 30-some years who chose not to circumcise their son," Portman said.
But the ever-controversial issue is whether circumcision in infancy is necessary for health reasons. Since the 19th century, it has been known to lower chances of penile cancer - an extremely rare disease - and urinary tract infections during the first year of life.
Strong pro-circumcision evidence came from a February study of adult heterosexual men in Africa: Those who were circumcised were found to have a 60 percent lower rate of contracting HIV.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 17
Bob in California
posted 6/25/07 @ 8:02 AM CST
The same study that showed circumcision rates at 80% for 2004 shows a mere 20% for the state of California. But, it is not just immigrants dtiving that number down. (Continued…)
Jack
posted 6/25/07 @ 8:19 AM CST
This never mentions the bad things that circumcision can do. There is of course the occasional death of the baby from this. There can be complications from the surgery. (Continued…)
Thomas Wolfe
posted 6/25/07 @ 6:16 PM CST
I would like to introduce some comments from http://petition.nomorebris.org - a petition directed to the leadership of the American Reform Judaism movement and it's rabbinic assocation, to accept alternative Brit Milah (Jewish Circumcision) practices:
"If penis cutting is such a powerful symbol of religious dedication men should elect to undergo the tradition not force it on an infant"
"Jewish American vitality and continuity will be advanced only by education in our European Jewish and Jewish American heritage, not by removal of infant foreskins. (Continued…)
rbthorn7
R. Thornton
posted 7/01/07 @ 9:08 PM CST
The controversy continues!!! Having read all the comments, there are several considerations not addressed. As an obstetrician in practice for some 25 years, I did hundreds of circumcisions in an era where it was usually elected by parents. (Continued…)
R. Thornton
posted 7/02/07 @ 7:57 PM CST
Dear Jenna:
Your total lack of civility precludes us from learning any more by continuing any dialogue on the subject. You can't learn much if you already have all the answers. (Continued…)
Jenna
posted 7/07/07 @ 1:39 PM CST
You're the doctor who doesn't doesn't know the difference between a neonate's penis and a penis with phimosis. I'm sorry you think my pointing out your serious error is uncivil. (Continued…)
Crispy
Katie
posted 11/18/07 @ 3:38 PM CST
Dr. Thornton it may be of interest to YOU to know that the article/study that you mention "The low incidence of cervial cancer in Jewish women." found here http://www. (Continued…)
Rick
posted 3/04/08 @ 9:38 AM CST
I looked at the American Academy of Pediatrics site. They clearly state that the foreskin is normally not retractible at birth, and that it may take into the teen years for it to be so. (Continued…)
ceseeley
posted 3/04/08 @ 2:16 PM CST
All;
Is there anyway that people on this Blog can be nicer to one another?
We are all learning; do we have to attack one another with swearing, name calling, threats, etc. (Continued…)
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