Routine Infant Circumcision (as distinct from religious or medically necessary circumcision) became popular in Britain during the 19th century. It was thought that circumcision would prevent, or at least curb, the practice of masturbation. Masturbation was believed to be responsible for moral degeneration and a range of physical and mental disorders.
RIC spread from Britain across the English-speaking world, and became most popular in the United States, where at one time more than 90% of newborn male infants were routinely circumcised. In Britain, the practice was most prevalent among the middle and upper classes, where it became part of the complex British way of determining "social standing". A recent survey by the London Rubber Company (Durex!) gives an indication of current circumcision percentages on both sides of the Atlantic. From those who responded the ratio was about 85% circumcised/ 15% uncircumcised in the USA, and 17% circumcised/ 83% uncircumcised in the UK.
Now that masturbation is no longer generally perceived as a great evil, and it is doubtful if circumcision discourages it anyway, the focus has shifted to other arguments for and against RIC. The main arguments can be summarised as follows:
Have you reached a decision yet? If not, try these links - one opposed, the other in favour.
If you do decide that circumcision is the right thing for you or your children, you may have difficulty (in the UK at least) finding anyone who will perform it for you. Since the founding of the National Health Service in 1947, surgical procedures which are deemed to be medically unnecessary are not undertaken by GPs or hospitals. This has led to problems for some religious and ethnic minority groups, who have been driven to seek assistance from "back street circumcisers". In order to combat the increasing number of complications arising from such operations, some NHS hospitals have taken the view that it is better to agree to parents' requests than to have hundreds of emergency cases to deal with each year. In Sheffield, for example, a nominal charge of $120 (equiv.) is made by the local health service for elective circumcisions.
Perhaps your local GP or hospital does not take the same view.... A safer and less stressful alternative is to find a doctor who is prepared to perform the operation on religious or non-religious grounds, and is experienced in the procedure. Try this site for more information.