The author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was described in “The Times Literary Supplement
as the most prominent of a procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors
which is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature." This
statement has proved to be true as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie continues to influence a
whole population of the youth through her teachings of feminism which are very important in
the progression of equality of the sexes in today’s world.
In this book, she makes suggestions for raising a headstrong young woman. While doing this,
she advises the parents to go against societal norms such as gender roles etc.
Here are some of the few suggestions she makes;
● To the mother, she tells her to be a full person and reject the idea of defining herself as
just merely a mother.
● To both the parents, She advises them to parent together. While saying this she says
that the parents must not say that, or think of the father “babysitting” when he is
looking after his own children as people like to say this a lot when it comes to fathers
spending time with their own children.
● She warns against the idea of gender roles and goes on to explain the dangers of
gender roles and also gives an example of the alarming way society pushes this idea
of gender roles from a very young age in children's lives.
● She sheds light to a phenomenon she calls ‘feminism lite’ and not only does she warn
against this phenomenon, she goes on to explain the dangers of this way of thinking
and how they can possibly impose on the progress of attaining gender equality.
● She emphasises the importance of reading in a child’s life and she makes it clear that
it is not about reading school books only but reading other books and reading material
outside his/her curriculum.
Although this book is meant for new parents or anyone looking into raising a child as a
feminist. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in feminism and would
like to gain insight into becoming a feminist (reparenting yourself) or if you are just looking
for a short read, this one is definitely for you.