Acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is on a mission to reshape the future by raising her sons to embrace gender equality and respect for women. In a recent interview with BBC’s Emma Barnett, Adichie shared her commitment to fighting toxic masculinity and cultivating values that promote mutual respect between genders.
Adichie, known for her powerful feminist writings like We Should All Be Feminists, emphasized the importance of shaping the next generation of men. “I’m determined to raise good men,” she explained, stressing the need for her sons to grow up understanding that no one is entitled to women’s bodies.
One of the key points she raised was the lack of positive male role models in today’s society. While young girls now have strong women to look up to in public life, Adichie noted that boys are often influenced by damaging characters and ideas. “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,” she observed.
Adichie believes that the cultural framework of masculinity is outdated and can be reimagined. “Culture doesn’t make us, we make culture,” she asserted. “We can remake masculinity in a way that is compatible with equality. It can be done.”
The celebrated author also opened up about how motherhood has shaped her own life and creative journey. While discussing her writing process, she revealed that pregnancy had a profound impact on her creativity, leading to a temporary creative block. “Something changed, and I don’t think it was just physiological,” she shared, admitting that becoming a mother altered her approach to writing.
Adichie’s latest novel, Dream Count, marks her return to fiction after a decade-long hiatus. The book explores women’s lives, tackling themes such as gender, race, and health with a unique perspective and “radical honesty.”
Chimamanda Adichie continues to inspire readers and the public with her unwavering commitment to gender equality, and her message is clear: it’s time to raise a generation that redefines masculinity with respect, empathy, and equality.
