I suspect that it was a common sense thing in ancient times when people couldn't clean themselves all that well, and the Jews made it a religious thing in order to encourage people to do it. I do know a fair number of Jewish parents now who are not doing it with their children, that they think it's closer to the Creator to actually leave things as they are and that underlying need is no longer there. If I had a male child I would definitely put the decision upon the father because I don't own the equipment and I have only been to one ceremony and it scared me for life. I would not want to do it, Jewish or not.