Barack Obama Says Raising A Son Would’ve Been Tough: ‘I Didn’t Have A Dad...’

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Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 18:45 IST

Barack Obama reflected on the challenges of raising a son compared to daughters Sasha and Malia.

Former US President Barack Obama

Former US President Barack Obama

Former US President Barack Obama reflected candidly on the complexities he might have faced raising a son, admitting that it would have been more difficult for him than raising his two daughters, Sasha and Malia. Speaking on an episode of The Light Podcast hosted by former US First Lady Michelle Obama, Barack Obama said, “I think we did a pretty good job of raising our girls, but I’ve said often that I think I would have had more difficulty raising a son."

Michelle agreed, responding simply, “I agree." Barack Obama elaborated on the challenges he believes he would have faced in a father-son relationship, particularly given his own upbringing without a consistent paternal figure. He said, “I think I might’ve been more judgmental, harder… father-son relationships, for me- particularly if I don’t have a dad around to show it to me- might’ve been more difficult."

Barack Obama was raised by his mother and grandparents in Hawaii after his parents divorced when he was two and his father was largely absent from his life. In the episode, the former US President also touched on the broader implications of how boys are raised, arguing that neglecting their development can have ripple effects across society.

“If you’re not thinking about what’s happening to boys and how are they being raised, then that can actually hurt women," he said while acknowledging progress in supporting girls’ opportunities. He noted, “We haven’t been as willing… to be intentional about investing in the boys, and that’s been a mistake."

This isn’t the first time the Obamas talked about raising a son. In a previous podcast episode last month, Michelle Obama expressed relief that the couple had daughters. When asked by guest Angie Martinez why they never tried for a boy, Michelle Obama joked, “Because he would’ve been a Barack Obama!" She added that she would have “felt for him," knowing the pressure a son named Barack Obama III might have faced.

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