Jim Iyke Stoke Controversy Over Single Mothers Raising Male Children

Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has ignited controversy after asserting that single mothers cannot raise boys into “proper men” without the involvement of a male figure.

The actor made the remarks during a recent interview with Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Ghana, where he argued that women, by nature, are not “built” to raise men independently.

According to him, the absence of male influence in the upbringing of a boy leaves gaps in discipline and resilience.

“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 said. “You need a male influence, go get your brother that’s doing well or your father or even any man that you trust. There has to be a male presence in it.”

He explained that while women are naturally nurturing, this quality alone does not equip boys with the toughness needed to face life’s challenges.

“Because women are naturally built to nurture, to love. And then what you’re going to raise is a very weak man. He is going to be everything like the men that left you,” he added.

To illustrate his point, Iyke recounted a personal experience with his four-year-old son during a family holiday in the south of France.

According to him, his son was bullied by his peers while playing football on the beach. The boy, who was outplayed, attempted to leave with his own ball but was stopped by other children.

Iyke said his son ran back to him crying, but he deliberately refused to intervene, even discouraging his wife from stepping in. “That is the natural propensity of a woman to go aid him. And I told her, Don’t you dare come near him. This is a conversation between two men,” he said.

The actor narrated that his son eventually returned, confronted the other children, fought them off, and reclaimed his ball. “I’ve never been more proud of him then, but that was the spoken understanding between us,” Iyke remarked.

For the actor, the incident reinforced his conviction that boys need male guidance to develop into strong men. “I’m not here to help you. I’m here to guide you. I’m here to protect you. I’m here to provide for you. The rest, you figure it out by yourself. And that’s what makes tough kids. That’s my idea of leadership,” he said.

His comments, now widely circulated on social media, have sparked heated debate, with many criticizing his views as dismissive of single mothers’ efforts, while others agree that male figures play a vital role in shaping young boys.