Final answer:
In the US, there are more conservative attitudes toward sexuality and a higher prevalence of circumcision, often influenced by cultural and religious norms. In Canada, circumcision is less common, and attitudes towards it were influenced by cases like David Reimer's that raised issues of medical ethics and gender identity. Both nations' perspectives on circumcision also reflect their broader cultural attitudes toward sex and sexual openness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The views around circumcision in Canada versus the US can be understood in the context of these countries' general attitudes toward sexuality and cultural practices. The United States has traditionally had higher rates of circumcision due to medical and cultural reasons, and its attitudes about sex and sexuality are generally more conservative compared to some other industrialized nations. Though circumcision is common in both countries, Canada's public health systems do not universally recommend circumcision for all male infants, making it less prevalent there compared to the US.
In Canada, the case of David Reimer brought attention to issues of gender identity, sexual health, and medical ethics around circumcision, after a failed circumcision led to significant personal and psychological challenges. This case underscores the complexities involved in medical decisions surrounding circumcision. Meanwhile, views on sexual openness and cultural practices also factor into the perspectives on circumcision in these countries, as more permissive sexual attitudes found in some European countries correlate with less cultural emphasis on the practice of male circumcision.
While the US has a more consistent practice of circumcision, often tied to religious or cultural norms, the practice can be subject to differing opinions based on a variety of factors, including individual beliefs about health benefits, body integrity, and personal choice.