Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia has sparked fresh conversation with a bold statement pinning the rise of violent and troubled individuals in society on the failures of previous generations of parents.
In a social media post that quickly gained attention, the actress declared that most mothers and fathers form the foundational cause of the “monsters” seen today.
“Most mothers (and fathers) are the foundational/root cause of the monsters we have in the society today. Our mothers accepted and ‘managed’ with being beaten. They also didn’t train their sons against it because they accepted it as ‘normal.’ Parents also beat their children for every little thing, making the children feel that that is the only way to be corrected hence passing that same culture of violence/aggression to their own homes,” she wrote.
Etinosa made it clear she does not advocate for gentle parenting. Instead, she highlighted the lasting damage caused by extreme physical punishment.
“Hear me, I do not support gentle parenting but there are some extreme beatings that are unnecessary, trauma inducing and damaging to a child’s future. This is a wake up call to the new generation of mothers (and fathers) we can do better. By God’s grace,” she added.
The actress argued that by enduring domestic violence and normalising it, many mothers of the past unintentionally taught their sons that aggression toward women is acceptable. She also pointed to the habit of resorting to harsh beatings for minor offences as a cycle that children later carry into their own families.
Her post serves as a direct challenge to current and future parents to break away from those patterns and raise children differently. The message has drawn mixed reactions online, with some praising her for confronting uncomfortable truths about generational trauma while others debate the balance between discipline and harm.
Etinosa’s comments continue a broader discussion in the Nigerian society about how home environments shape adult behaviour and the responsibility parents hold in shaping the next generation.