A Friend Of Mine Is Circumcised. What Are The Odds That He Is Jewish ?

Many non-Jewish males are circumcised, especially in countries such as the United States where the majority of male babies--regardless of their religious or cultural background-- are automatically circumcised in hospitals. For example, according to a study released in 1980, 89% of white males born in the North-central states between 1963 and 1965 were circumcised. In the northeastern states this figure stood at 83%, while in the south and in the west the total figure was 74%.

Interestingly, the circumcision rate among African Americans during this same period was considerably lower. In the southern states, only 31% of back males were circumcised.

Throughout the 1990s, the circumcision rate has declined and now stands at 56% of all male births. Nevertheless, this means that a majority of American males are still being circumcised.

In the United Kingdom, the percentage of circumcisions has always been much lower than that found in the US. In the UK, only about 6% of males born after 1975 were circumcised, though back in 1948 this figure stood at 20%.

Add Comment

Report