In a recent interview with Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Ghana, Nollywood actor Jim Iyke sparked controversy by stating that single mothers are unable to raise boys into proper men without a male presence in their lives.
He emphasized that women are not inherently equipped to raise boys alone and need male role models to help in their upbringing.
“A woman can’t raise a man. You can’t, you’re not built for it. A single mother cannot raise a man properly,” he asserted.
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Iyke suggested that single mothers should seek out positive male influences, whether it be a brother, father, or another trusted man, to provide guidance.
He acknowledged that while women have a natural nurturing instinct, this alone is not enough to instill the necessary discipline and resilience in boys.
“Because women are naturally built to nurture and love. And then what you’re going to raise is a very weak man?” he questioned, adding that boys need someone to set boundaries and challenge them.
To illustrate his point, Iyke shared a story about his four-year-old son during a family vacation at a beach in southern France.
The boy was bullied by other children, who refused to let him take his football after they outplayed him.
Iyke described how his son, who he humorously noted was not a skilled footballer, attempted to reclaim the ball after being teased.
Despite his son’s distress, Iyke chose not to intervene, even as his wife was ready to step in.
“I didn’t even act like I knew him. I told her don’t you dare go near him. This is a conversation between two men. Go back to what you’re doing,’ he recounted.
Ultimately, Iyke’s son returned to confront the other kids, successfully reclaiming his ball after a brief scuffle.
“I’ve never been more proud of him than then, but that was the spoken understanding between us,” he reflected.
For Iyke, this experience reinforced his belief in the crucial role of a father figure in a boy’s development.
He concluded, “I’m not here to help you. I’m here to guide you. I’m here to protect you.”
