How to Raise a Feminist Son

Motherhood, Masculinity, and the Making of My Family

By: Sonora Jha

Narrated by: Sonora Jha

A compelling story that will resonate with feminists who hope to change the world, one kind boy at a time

This book is a true love letter, not only to Jha's own son but also to all of our sons and to the parents - especially mothers - who raise them.” (Ijeoma Oluo, author of So You Want to Talk About Race and Mediocre)

A beautifully written and deeply personal story of struggling, failing, and eventually succeeding at raising a feminist son, this empowering book offers much-needed insight and actionable advice. From teaching consent to counteracting problematic messages from the media, well-meaning family, and the culture at large, we have big work to do when it comes to our boys.

Informed by the author's work as a professor of journalism specializing in social justice movements and social media, as well as by conversations with psychologists, experts, and other parents and boys, this book follows one mother's journey to raise a feminist son as a single immigrant woman of color in America. Through stories from her own life and wide-ranging research, Sonora Jha shows us all how to be better feminists and better teachers of the next generation of men in this electrifying tour de force.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF of the Resources section of the book.

"A beautiful hybrid of memoir, manifesto, instruction manual, and rumination on the power of story and possibilities of family." (Rebecca Solnit, author of The Mother of All Questions)

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Sonora Jha (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In How to Raise a Feminist Son, Jha weaves her own fascinating, sometimes heartbreaking, and always beautiful story of raising her own feminist son with careful research, insightful interviews, and helpful advice. There were countless times in reading this book where I found myself reevaluating things I had told my own sons and setting new goals for things I would teach them in the future. True love sees you for who you are, and true love holds you to account when you fall short of who you can be, because true love knows what you are capable of. This book is a true love letter, not only to Jha's own son but also to all of our sons and to the parents - especially mothers - who raise them.” (Ijeoma Oluo, author of So You Want to Talk About Race and Mediocre)

“You can’t punish your way to a more feminist world, I’ve long believed; you have to create, encourage, invent that world, especially in how you raise kids, but that’s only one reason Sonora Jha’s book is exhilarating and inspiring. It’s a beautiful hybrid of memoir, manifesto, instruction manual, and rumination on the power of story and possibilities of family. I can’t wait to put it in the hands of everyone raising kids or thinking about how we do it and how it could be different.” (Rebecca Solnit, author of The Mother of All Questions)

“Essential reading for any parent, loved one, or teacher seeking to raise feminist boys in these times. A strong case for how teaching our boys to show vulnerability, empathy, and remorse can be the path to freedom. Sonora Jha asks, ‘Can boys be feminists?’ The answer is a resounding YES.” (V, formerly Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues and The Apology)

important

Jha tells a compelling story and provides some great resources along the way. One of the best aspects of this book is how current it is.

A book for the times!

This was an easy read for me, but I was delighted to hear it in Sonora's voice! She delivers a poignant message with humor and charm. By the end of the book, it is certain that we should all be feminists and how we can guide everyone to be such.

Beautiful and inspiring!

Feminism is about love. Learning to respect and love the other half of the population allows boys to dismantle toxic masculinity and lead more for lives with honesty and compassion. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to be an ally, or teach children to be allies, of women. I have loved hearing the author’s words in her own voice —definitely glad I decided to listen to the audiobook.

Pregnant with a boy

After growing up & realizing I had been being used, abused, groomed and belittled by almost every man I had loved, trusted and respected, I was distraught to find out I was going to be raising a white boy in yet another heteronormative, nuclear family. I cried at night more times than I would like to admit. While this will be no easy task, this book provided a lot of hope that I can do this, and not only that but the realization of just how important this opportunity really is.

For anyone raising sons!

Sonora Jha's book is poignant, funny and makes you think on a really deep level. Her approach to motherhood and her raw vulnerability make this book a must read for anyone involved in shaping the lives of young men and boys. This book is timely, and incredibly well written. I highly, highly recommend it.

Audible was excellent!

Really enjoyed this we researched and ask very heart warming book.

With so many examples of how to raise a feminist son, and also help them in this world, navigate being a boy and a man. Wish I had this as a resource book when I was raising my son. Highly recommend.