Questions About Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, please sign up.

Answered Questions (6)

I loved this, but it does seem very centred on raising girls. Does anyone have any recommendations on raising feminist boys? Not everything is transferable.

Ana What is being suggested for raising girls can be used for raising boys. Encouraging boys to express themselves, and not silencing them if for example …moreWhat is being suggested for raising girls can be used for raising boys. Encouraging boys to express themselves, and not silencing them if for example they cry or say they are scared. Its about teaching them that all human beings have strengths and weaknesses, and clarifying that it does not have to do with their sex. Be the example in your son's life. If your son is hurt let him cry, scared express his fear, sad his sadness. Teach your child that there are different emotions and emotions are normal, there are some we like to feel others not ao much or not at all. When expressing anger, how to do it constructively and not destructively for example talk about it, noone should be harmed including him. Don't discourage him if he wants to wear pink, play with dolls, or play with an eazy bake oven. Most important, teach him to love and respect himself, and others. To respect everything, property, pets, plants, all.(less)

flag

Excellent choice for new mommies. Though I wonder why she's directing it to girls only? As I think her 15 suggestions apply to both gender equally. The only explanation I have is Adichie's interest in feminism.

Teresa I think it was directed to girls because the letter was written for someone who has a daughter but you are right that all the advice could be used for…moreI think it was directed to girls because the letter was written for someone who has a daughter but you are right that all the advice could be used for any gender (less)

flag

Adichie's Manifesto repeats the same feminist mantras of the 60's and 70's! Is there anything 'new' worth reading here?

Mona Alebrahim Well, the fact that she's differentiating between gender equality and women's right is quite modernist and worth considering.…moreWell, the fact that she's differentiating between gender equality and women's right is quite modernist and worth considering.(less)

flag

Does she still exclude transgender women? Any discussion on this in the book?

Anne It's quite cis- and hetero-centred.…moreIt's quite cis- and hetero-centred.(less)

flag

“Teach her to question language. Language is the repository of our prejudices, our beliefs, our assumptions.” English usually defaults to a generic male reference. If you don't know, assume the masculine. Other languages -French, German, etc.- have gendered aspects, including nouns, adjectives, and articles. Do these languages lend themselves to more equality of language and possibly culture?

Anne I think what she means is that all languages that belong to patriarchal societies reflect sexist beliefs and assumptions. I don't know anything about …moreI think what she means is that all languages that belong to patriarchal societies reflect sexist beliefs and assumptions. I don't know anything about matriarchal societies and/or gender-equal societies and language - perhaps those languages reflect equality.

I only know a tiny bit about French and German, but an example of how French also has default male references is the third person plural: ''ils'' for a group of men, ''elles'' for a group of women. However, if it is a mixed group, you can only use ''ils'', not ''elles''. Moreover, the words for ''mankind'' and ''human'' are linked to ''man'' and not ''woman'' in French and German, just like in many, many other languages. (less)

flag

Load 1 more question

Unanswered Questions (1)

Is this from a video like We Should All Be Feminists?

Answer

Flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more