British boxer Anthony Joshua admitted that he was more strict with his niece because he’s rearing her to be a “good woman.” (Image courtesy of The Independent)
World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is under scrutiny this week over comments he made during a 2017 interview where he explained why he’s more “strict” with his niece compared to his son.
Speaking with British GQ, Joshua admitted he isn’t as tough on his son Joseph but is definitely more stringent when it comes to rearing his niece.
“I think it’s because she’s older, but also he’s a boy,” he told the magazine. “He’s going to be a man’s man, he’ll want to spread his wings, be a Jack-the-lad, build his character. But I’m sure there are things I’ll be strict about.”
“But with my niece, there’s none of that Jack-the-lad nonsense for her,” Joshua continued. “My view is, you have to be a good woman, respectful. One day you’ll be someone’s wife – you have to learn family morals [and] what it is to be a “good woman.”
The boxer’s comments drew swift criticism from many on social media, namely actress Kelechi Okafor, who blasted Joshua for denying his niece the right to build her own character.
“He’ll want to be a man’s man. Spread his wings. Build his character…”
So by that token should a woman not build her own character?
No?!
Character is just for men to have.
Women are cardboards.
— Kelechi (@kelechnekoff) March 3, 2018
“My view is that you have to be a good woman. Respectable. One day you’ll be someone’s wife…”
By that line of reasoning, your jack-the-lad son will also be somebody’s husband. Yet here you are doing nonsense.
— Kelechi Okafor (@kelechnekoff) March 3, 2018
“But with my niece, there will be none of that jack the lad nonsense for her…”
Oh so you know it’s nonsense?!
It’s truly wonderful how men enable the infantilisation of other men and place women in a position to endure and tolerate.
— Kelechi Okafor (@kelechnekoff) March 3, 2018
Society has spent centuries rearing women to be good wives yet failing to produce the good husbands who deserve them.
— Kelechi Okafor (@kelechnekoff) March 3, 2018
Others also chimed in on the matter.
How Anthony Joshua can look at his niece, not as a child but as someone who is going to be a "wife" is really bemusing. Girls are hardly ever allowed to be. This isn't just about him, it's about everyone who shares this shitty, reductive view of little girls.
— T. Rânkïn' (@AfroVII) March 2, 2018
Anthony Joshua letting us know his son is allowed to ‘build character’ whilst his niece must prepare to ‘be a wife’ Forget all the potential imbedded in her, forget her hopes and dreams because that’s all she must prepare for in life apparently🙄
— Makio (@TheFishTankUK) March 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/FionachMiller/status/969676510159364096
Damn AJ. We were rooting for you. We were all rooting for you.
I think this is the epitome of; "We raise our daughters and love our sons". It's as if some people forget that boys will also be husbands one day. They too need to be raised to be 'respectful' and 'good men'. https://t.co/I77RmG72eg
— TONI TONE (@t0nit0ne) March 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/Fourens_/status/969882200454975488
