bobad, circumcision is much easier and less risky in infancy than it is later in life. And the foreskin presents problems for hygiene and disease in infancy too. So if it were my own body, I'd much rather have it done sooner than later. Even if this meant that my parents made the decision on my behalf.

The procedure is much cheaper in infancy as well ... although in Canada that's not a concern.   Circumcision is covered by the gov't, like most other forms of surgery.

Apparently, for a few decades after WWII, neonatal circumcisions were performed routinely on all boys in Canadian hospitals. That's why most people I know are circumcised. Things changed in 1982 though - the same year my youngest sons were born - when the Canadian Paediatric Society declared The overall evidence of the benefits and harms of circumcision is so evenly balanced that it does not support recommending circumcision as a routine procedure for newborns.

Click here for more info from the Canadian Paediatric Society re male circumcision; including these conclusions:

"We undertook this literature review to consider whether the CPS should change its position on routine neonatal circumcision from that stated in 1982. The review led us to conclude the following.

* There is evidence that circumcision results in an approximately 12-fold reduction in the incidence of UTI during infancy. The overall incidence of UTI in male infants appears to be 1% to 2%.
   
* The incidence rate of the complications of circumcision reported in published articles varies, but it is generally in the order of 0.2% to 2%. Most complications are minor, but occasionally serious complications occur. There is a need for good epidemiological data on the incidence of the surgical complications of circumcision, of the later complications of circumcision and of problems associated with lack of circumcision.
   
* Evaluation of alternative methods of preventing UTI in infancy is required.
   
* More information on the effect of simple hygienic interventions is needed.
   
* Information is required on the incidence of circumcision that is truly needed in later childhood.
   
* There is evidence that circumcision results in a reduction in the incidence of penile cancer and of HIV transmission. However, there is inadequate information to recommend circumcision as a public health measure to prevent these diseases.
   
* When circumcision is performed, appropriate attention needs to be paid to pain relief.
   
* The overall evidence of the benefits and harms of circumcision is so evenly balanced that it does not support recommending circumcision as a routine procedure for newborns. There is therefore no indication that the position taken by the CPS in 1982 should be changed.
   
* When parents are making a decision about circumcision, they should be advised of the present state of medical knowledge about its benefits and harms. Their decision may ultimately be based on personal, religious or cultural factors."