Circumcision in Diaspora

Having a baby in the diaspora has become something of a paramount importance for a lot of people living in developing countries. And I do not blame them. If you can afford it, go for it. You expand your child's chances in life. You give him the privilege of dual citizenship. Plus a whole lot of other benefits, both long-term and short term.


If you live outside the shores of your homeland and you have a baby boy, about to have a baby boy/ desire to have a baby boy, and you are African or married to one who shares this belief, then this one is for you. I do not know how the US/UK works, but having lived here for a few, I should have an idea.

You plan ahead for the Circumcision, that is if you want it early, over and done with, which, by the way, is a whole lot easier. It is not easily obtainable, at least in my part of the world, like back home in the Motherland. Taking the wrong route sometimes becomes a police case 'on top your own pikin head'. Seek answers from those that actually know not those that think they know. Better still, ask the doctors once you determine the sex of your baby. And please, in the name of all that is holy, do not get some random midwife from your country to give you back door services for a fee. The risks are way too high. I have heard of cases, some lucky, some not so. So please...

I hear some Kenyan parents in the USA consider it a big deal. A mega project; and not minding the cost, send their kids all the way home to get it done, and then proudly followed by some form of celebration ( how can you celebrate my own pain, my own pain? Y'all gotta take a chill pill, aiight?). And that some Nigerians seek the services of Israeli doctors. And some others do not loose sleep over it.

Whatever might be your case, if you must go through the process, do it once and please get it right. And of course, not everyone applauds you for holding on to your tradition. But as long as you are within the laws of your host country, applause shouldn't bother you.

Thankfully, some Paediatricians have come to understand that it is an age long tradition making no efforts whatsoever, of leaving.

But, should it even be a big deal? I wonder....

xoxo