Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma has shared his thoughts on parenting, emphasizing the importance of understanding and empathy rather than physical punishment. During an interview on The Honest Bunch podcast, Bovi reflected on his personal experience as a father, discussing how he approaches discipline with his children.
Bovi shared that when his son was upset, he would sometimes throw things in anger, even breaking items like the family’s television. He made it clear that he does not support corporal punishment, explaining, “I don’t advocate for beating children. You should let children be. My son dey break television for the fun of it. If he vex, he go throw stuff and break it.” He further explained that while his child’s actions were a way of expressing frustration, he recognized the remorse in his son as he grew older. However, Bovi acknowledged that if he couldn’t afford to replace the TV, his approach to discipline might have been different. He encouraged parents to reflect on their actions, asking, “Are you really trying to correct them, or are you frustrated?”
Bovi also spoke about bullying in schools, criticizing the practice of giving older students authority over their younger peers. “No child should be given authority over another child in the name of ‘senior student.’ They are children,” he said. He explained that this hierarchical system often leads to abuse, as older students, sometimes as young as 16, are empowered to punish their classmates. Bovi believes this creates a toxic environment and fosters unhealthy power dynamics.
Additionally, Bovi discussed how a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting can be harmful. “You can’t raise four children the same way,” he said, emphasizing the need to recognize each child’s unique personality and needs. He pointed out that when children feel misunderstood, it can lead to differing relationships with their parents, as seen when some siblings express love while others feel resentment.