Chimamanda Adichie vows to raise sons to respect women, shun toxic masculinity

Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has expressed her commitment to raising her sons with values that promote gender equality and respect for women.

Speaking in an interview with BBC’s Emma Barnett, published on YouTube on Wednesday, Adichie addressed concerns about toxic masculinity and the vital role parents play in shaping the next generation.

“I’m determined to raise good men. I’m thinking about how to make them never feel entitled to women’s bodies,” she stated.

The award-winning writer highlighted the need for boys to have positive role models, pointing out that while young girls today have strong female figures to admire, boys often lack similar figures.

“In general, little girls now have women in public life they can admire. But I don’t think boys have that in the same way. That space is instead occupied by noxious characters and ideas. I wish the good men would stand up,” she said.

Adichie, known for her feminist advocacy through works such as We Should All Be Feminists, stressed that masculinity must evolve to align with equality.

“Culture doesn’t make us, we make culture. We can remake masculinity in a way that is compatible with equality. It can be done,” she asserted.

Beyond discussions on masculinity, Adichie reflected on the impact of motherhood on her writing. She revealed that becoming a mother once caused a creative block.

“I don’t like to use the expression ‘writer’s block’ because I’m superstitious, but it happened when I became pregnant. Something changed, and I don’t think it was just physiological,” she admitted.

Her latest novel, Dream Count, marks her return to fiction after more than a decade. The book explores women’s lives and experiences, tackling themes of gender, race, and health with what she calls “radical honesty.”