Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has sparked heated debate with his recent comments on parenting, asserting that a single mother cannot raise a boy into a “proper man” without the involvement of a male figure.
Speaking during an interview on Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Ghana, Iyke emphasized the importance of male influence in shaping boys into responsible and disciplined men, while acknowledging the critical nurturing role women play in child-rearing.
“A woman can’t raise a man. You can’t, you’re not built for it. A single mother cannot raise a man properly,” Iyke declared. He added that the presence of a trusted male figure—whether a brother, father, or mentor—is essential. “There has to be a male presence in it [raising a boy child],” he insisted.
According to Iyke, women are naturally inclined to nurture and love, but he argued that this alone is insufficient for instilling discipline and resilience in boys.
“What you’re going to raise is a very weak man. He is going to be everything like the men that left you. You need somebody who would discipline him, tell him ‘No’ as often as possible, and put him in the grind,” he explained.
To illustrate his point, Iyke shared a personal anecdote about his four-year-old son during a family holiday in the south of France.
When his son was bullied by other kids during a football game, Iyke deliberately refused to intervene, instructing his wife to step back as well.
He described the moment as a “conversation between two men,” explaining that the experience taught his son resilience.
“He went back, fought for his ball, and came out stronger. I’ve never been more proud of him,” Iyke recounted, adding that this underscored his belief in the value of a father figure in a boy’s development.
Iyke’s comments have since gone viral, igniting passionate discussions across social media. While some agree with his perspective on the importance of male influence, others have criticized his stance, emphasizing the strength and success many single mothers have demonstrated in raising well-rounded men.