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I think people do this in other cultures because it is probably easier than having to HANDWASH a dozen diapers every day. The faster your baby is toilet trained, the better, if you have no washing machine. And odds are, if you live in a third world country, you can't afford disposable diapers, or afford a washing machine either. Who wants to do all that laundry? I sure wouldn't.
But this is America and we have both washing machines (for those who choose cloth diapers) AND the option of disposable diapers to make parenting just a little easier.[/b]
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Nothing perpetuates the stereotype of American cultural arrogance like, you know, American cultural arrogance.
Just because something is new to Americans, or different, doesn't make it bad. A lot of things that are now considered to be a cultural norm in America were once outside of the comfort zone of Americans. For example, toilet paper. When toilet paper was first mass produced many people found it odd or weird. It was such a sensitive subject among most Americans that the Scott company refused to package it with their company name on it. It was a long time before toilet paper became commonly used by most Americans. Before that time, people would use old cloth (my grandmother remember they used bits of flour sack hemmed up) or would simply wash themselves with water.
Having something new be outside your comfort zone is one thing. Arrogantly believing it's because "our" way is the "best" or "right" way and assuming that other cultures would do it like we do if they only had the same resources that we do is just not cool.