Circumcision pre-dates recorded history. Egyptian mummies and wall carvings record the practice of circumcision over 4000 years ago. Along with Columbus's discovery of North America he noted that many of the natives there were circumcised. In fact, as mentioned earlier, circumcision is seen in diverse people all over the world, ranging from African, Middle Eastern, groupings of Asian, Australian aboriginal, Pacific Islander and native American, both North and South.
Worldwide, approx 25% of males are circumcised with large variations between countries and ethnic groups. Higher socio-economic-educational ranking is associated with higher rates of circumcision. In two western countries where circumcision is common, rates today for men are 85% (US-born) and 69% (Australian-born). For newborns, rates there decreased in the 1970’s-80’s, then rose again in line with medical research findings that attested to the benefits.
