I’m raising my sons to respect women, fight toxic masculinity – Chimamanda Adichie

Acclaimed author Chimamanda 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 Wednesday via YouTube, Adichie addressed concerns about toxic masculinity and the role parents play 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,” Adichie stated.

She emphasised the need for boys to have positive role models, lamenting that while young girls today have strong female figures to look up to, boys often lack the same.

“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, believes masculinity should 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 said.

Beyond masculinity, the celebrated writer also reflected on the impact of motherhood on her life and creativity. She admitted that becoming a mother influenced her writing process and, at one point, led to 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 said.

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