Today the rite is not often done but Jewish and Moslem people still perform circumcision as a religious practice. Some parents had it done for their religious reasons. For most people it was a traditional choice passed from father to son. Today, most newborn baby boys in the U.S. are circumcised. There is no medical reason for this surgery.
Circumcision is much less widespread in England, Canada, and Australia.
It is rarely done in Asia, Northern Europe, and Central and South America. The choice of circumcision is left up to the parents. They need to think about it carefully and discuss it with their doctor. Some doctors want the baby to be circumcised. They believe that it is cleaner and can prevent cancer.