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In males, '''circumcision''' is the surgical removal of the foreskin which covers the head of the male reproductive organ (penis). This operation is usually performed early in a child's life. Circumcision is common in the [[United States]] and the [[Middle East]].  It is largely unknown outside of Western culture and is not practiced in most of Europe.  Ritual circumcision is common in the [[Jewish]] and [[Islam]]ic faiths, but uncommon altogether in [[Asia]], [[South America|South]] and [[Central America]], and most of [[Europe]].<ref>AMA report on Neonatal Circumcision[http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13585.html]</ref>  Circumcision was an outward sign of the covenent between God and the Jewish people as told in the [[Bible]] in the book of [[Genesis]].  

In males, '''circumcision''' is the surgical removal of the foreskin which covers the head of the male reproductive organ. This operation is usually performed early in a child's life. Circumcision is common in the [[United States]] and the [[Middle East]].  It is largely unknown outside of Western culture and is not practiced in most of Europe.  Ritual circumcision is common in the [[Jewish]] and [[Islam]]ic faiths, but uncommon altogether in [[Asia]], [[South America|South]] and [[Central America]], and most of [[Europe]].<ref>AMA report on Neonatal Circumcision[http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13585.html]</ref>  Circumcision was an outward sign of the covenent between God and the Jewish people as told in the [[Bible]] in the book of [[Genesis]].  

Circumcision rates in the US have been declining since 1965, due in part to statements from the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]]<ref> AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS - Task Force on Circumcision - Circumcision Policy Statement [http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/aap1999/]</ref><ref>AAP Press Release - NEW AAP CIRCUMCISION POLICY RELEASED[http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/marcircum.htm]</ref><ref>PEDIATRICS Vol. 103 No. 3 March 1999, pp. 686-693 - AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS:  Circumcision Policy Statement [http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;103/3/686]"A statement of reaffirmation for this policy was published on September 1, 2005."</ref> and the [[American Medical Association]] <ref>AMA report on Neonatal Circumcision[http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13585.html]</ref> discouraging the practice.  While it varies regionally, in 2004 about 57% of newborn boys in the US were circumcised.  <ref>United States Circumcision Incidence[http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/]</ref>

Circumcision rates in the US have been declining since 1965, due in part to statements from the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]]<ref> AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS - Task Force on Circumcision - Circumcision Policy Statement [http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/aap1999/]</ref><ref>AAP Press Release - NEW AAP CIRCUMCISION POLICY RELEASED[http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/marcircum.htm]</ref><ref>PEDIATRICS Vol. 103 No. 3 March 1999, pp. 686-693 - AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS:  Circumcision Policy Statement [http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;103/3/686]"A statement of reaffirmation for this policy was published on September 1, 2005."</ref> and the [[American Medical Association]] <ref>AMA report on Neonatal Circumcision[http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13585.html]</ref> discouraging the practice.  While it varies regionally, in 2004 about 57% of newborn boys in the US were circumcised.  <ref>United States Circumcision Incidence[http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/]</ref>