Circumcision. Does the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend it? Why do you think so many newborn boys are circumcised in the US?

The AAP positively recommends infant circumcision because of the proven health benefits for the rest of the male's life. Please see http://www.circinfo.com/health_benefits/health_ben... for some of those benefits.

American parents want the best for their sons and are prepared to pay reasonably for it. The private health system in the USA doesn't place restrictions on parental choice in the way so many government funded health systems (such as the UK's NHS) do to restrict costs.

Because it's the best way to go. Circumcision is a very beneficial thing.

The AAP does recommend it because doctors make money from it, not because it is a good thing. Don't trust what the AAP says about circumcision.

AAP does recommend it. Their recommendation, which isn't a strong one but just a preponderance of medical evidence, is based upon the slight reduction in risk of UTI during infancy and the evidence that HIV transmission is reduced, based upon studies of MSM in sub-saharan Africa.

Mostly, it's common in the US due to habit/tradition stemming from the strong advocacy for the practice by Dr. Kellog as a way to prevent masturbation. Most don't know the history and just do it because that's what they're used to seeing.