Chimamanda Adichie, the acclaimed Nigerian author, has shared her commitment to raising her sons with values that promote gender equality and respect for women. In an interview with BBC’s Emma Barnett, Adichie emphasized the importance of instilling the right values in boys to combat toxic masculinity, stating that she is “determined to raise good men” who never feel entitled to women’s bodies.
She also expressed concern that while young girls today have strong female role models, boys often lack similar figures, with many being influenced by negative role models and harmful ideas. Adichie called on “good men” to stand up and fill this gap.
The author, known for her feminist work We Should All Be Feminists, believes that masculinity can evolve to align with equality, emphasizing that “culture doesn’t make us, we make culture.” She is optimistic that masculinity can be remade in a way that supports gender equality.
Adichie also reflected on how motherhood has impacted her writing. She admitted that her experience of becoming a mother influenced her creativity, even leading to a temporary creative block. Her latest novel, Dream Count, marks her return to fiction after more than ten years and delves into issues of gender, race, and health, approached with what she describes as “radical honesty.”
