Yes it is Caran. In the US it was done by default unless the parents intervened. These days, I think it might be different.
It is still practised by jews, muslims and certain tribal cultures by default as far as I know. Either way, I call it "forced genital mutilation". It should be illegal everywhere unless medically necessary IMO.
//It’s estimated approximately 8.5% of men in the UK are circumcised. Over the past few decades the rate of circumcision for baby boys in the UK has significantly decreased. It’s estimated that post-neonatal therapeutic circumcision remains constant at a rate of about 3%.//
I can vaguely remember my little brother being done.
He is five years younger than me. I can visualise him standing in front of the doctor with his pants around his ankles. He certainly let out a yell!
"A national survey on sexual attitudes in 2000 found that 15.8% of men or boys in the United Kingdom (ages 16–44) were circumcised by their parents' choosing. 11.7% of 16- to 19-year-olds, and 19.6% of 40- to 44-year-olds said they had been circumcised".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevalence_of_circumcision#Europe
As a recruit to Hendon Police Training School in the 60's I was kindly reminded that I was a result of a 6' pile of foreskins donated by the North London Rabbis. :-)
No, it isn't automatic and is only done with a "reason" now. I don't know whether religion does count as a reason though (it shouldn't, it should only be for medical need). But certainly, people generally don't seem to see it as a "normal" thing to do any more.
I'd have thought the numbers in the UK would be higher than those quoted. Think I had it done in hospital straight after being born - can't remember if I consented or not!