Demographic Differences in Circumcision Satisfactionamong U.S. Males

Male circumcision involves the partial or total removal of the prepuce (foreskin) from the penis,and it is the most common surgical procedure performed on infants in the USA. According to social conventiontheory, in demographic populations where male circumcision is more socially accepted, we would predict thatcircumcised men would be more likely to report satisfaction with their circumcision status. This exploratorystudy investigated the ways in which particular demographic sub-groups have differing attitudes and levels ofsatisfaction based on their circumcision status.

The participant data used in theseanalyses are from a study conducted to explore the effects of false beliefs concerning circumcision and intactpenises on circumcision satisfaction. After participant exclusion based on additional criteria, 902 male partici-pants from the United States, ranging in age from 18-75 (M = 34.0, SD = 10.0), remained. A series of demographicinformation by circumcision status between participants Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) were conducted on cir-cumcision status satisfaction.

Results indicated that circumcision status satisfaction varied as a func-tion of race/ethnicity, religion, relationship status, and sexual orientation. Statistically significant differencesin circumcision status satisfaction were found for all of the demographic variables.

Using socialconvention theory, these data suggest that circumcision satisfaction is related to endorsement of the dominantculture and its norms surrounding the masculine body. Further investigation is warranted regarding causal im-plications of how one’s demographic characteristics may affect one’s satisfaction with their circumcision status