90MinutesAfrica Fathers' Day Special: The Role of Fathers in today's modern family

In 2005, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd sparked debate with her bestselling book Are Men Necessary? When Sexes Collide. Two decades later, what was once a provocative question has, in some circles, become an article of faith: men are no longer necessary. But is that really true? As societies change at breakneck speed, the role of men, and especially fathers, is being questioned, redefined, and, in some cases, diminished. Are men becoming obsolete in the modern world, or are they simply evolving into something different? Is the crisis of masculinity real, or is it a reaction to the collapse of an old order where men held unquestioned authority and women were expected to know their place? On this special Father's Day edition of 90MinutesAfrica, Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM Nigeria Time / 1:30 PM New York Time, we take a hard look at men, fatherhood, masculinity, and the future of gender relations in a rapidly changing world. Join us as we celebrate fathers, examine the challenges facing men today, and explore the vulnerabilities, anxieties, and possibilities that lie beneath the fire of today's cultural wars. Are men endangered, misunderstood, evolving, or simply being asked to become better versions of themselves? Who defines what a better version of men should be? Join the conversation.