RENOWNED author Chimamanda Adichie has reaffirmed her commitment to raising her sons with values that promote gender equality and challenge toxic masculinity.
Speaking in an interview with BBC’s Emma Barnett, Adichie addressed concerns about societal attitudes toward masculinity and the responsibility of parents in shaping future generations.
“I’m determined to raise good men. I’m thinking about how to make them never feel entitled to women’s bodies,” she stated.
She emphasized the importance of positive role models for boys, noting that while young girls today have strong female figures to admire, boys often lack similar influences.
“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 the need to redefine masculinity in a way that aligns with gender 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 stated.
Beyond masculinity, the award-winning writer reflected on how motherhood has influenced her creativity, admitting that pregnancy once caused her to struggle with writing.
“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 said.
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 describes as “radical honesty.”