I’m raising men who respect women, says Chimamanda Adichie

Celebrated author Chimamanda Adichie has reaffirmed her commitment to raising her sons with values that promote gender equality and respect for women.

In a recent interview with BBC’s Emma Barnett, Adichie emphasised the importance of shaping future generations and combating toxic masculinity.

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

Adichie stressed the need for boys to have positive role models, highlighting the disparity between the availability of strong female figures for young girls and the lack for boys.

She expressed her desire for good men to stand up and serve as role models.

“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.

The acclaimed author, known for her feminist advocacy through works like “We Should All Be Feminists,” believes that masculinity can 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.

Adichie also reflected on the impact of motherhood on her life and creativity, admitting that becoming a mother influenced her writing process and 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 over a decade, tackling themes such as gender, race, and health with “radical honesty.”