Review of 'We Should All Be Feminists' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
The Finnish translation of this book will be given to every Finnish pupil finishing their primary education this spring. One of the columnists for the Finnish National Broadcasting Company yesterday made some sweeping comments on how ideology is being pushed to children, and complained how this book doesn't really reflect the reality of Finland in 2000s.
So, I decided I need to read it.
And, to a degree, she's right. That is to say, when it comes to Finnish dating culture, people aren't probably as focused in getting married as Adichie describes the Nigerian culture in her essay.
Apart from that, there are plenty of issues that are very much present in the Finnish culture as well as in the Nigerian and American cultures Adichie explores. Gender stereotypes on use of money, professions, role in the family are still alive and kicking. There are still far too few successful business women to act as role models. Kids are still raised to certain, gender specific expectations, and all too often they end up being miserable about it. Victim blaming is rampant in social media and, still, even in official comments about rape cases.
Adichie tells all this using anecdotes and lively language. It's easy to read, fast paced, relatable - and just foreign enough so that there are both recognizable features and differences to make perfect conversation starters. It expands the horizon from Finland to the US to Nigeria.
So, I completely disagree with the columnist. This is exactly the thing that should be given to children in primary school. To help them learn. To make them think.
"All of us, women and men, must do better."