Recently, rapper and singer Kevin Gates shared his controversial philosophy on raising children in today’s world. The Louisiana-born artist, known for his raw honesty and spiritual journey, talked about this in a recent interview with Theo Von.
“Fighting solves everything,” Gates states matter-of-factly. “I teach my children that fighting solves everything.” This isn’t just tough talk from a hardened street veteran – it’s a deliberate parenting strategy rooted in his own experiences growing up in Baton Rouge.
Gates explains his approach with the conviction of someone who’s lived through the consequences of both action and inaction. “I tell my son, like if you go to school and if somebody say something to you, don’t worry about that. But if somebody put their hands on you, you punch them right in their nose and you don’t stop. You keep going.”
The rapper’s philosophy extends beyond just physical confrontation. He describes a scenario where he would publicly support his child’s decision to fight back, even if it meant dealing with school administrators.
“When I come to the school, I’m going to be like, ‘I can’t believe you did all this b**ch a** s**t.’ I’m going to make it look good when I get there. Then after that, I’m going to take you and buy you every toy in the store because fighting solves everything.”
This approach might seem a bit much to some parents, but Gates sees it as essential preparation for a world that doesn’t always play by civilized rules. His own childhood experiences of being sexually victimized and lacking a safe space to communicate have shaped his determination to raise children who can defend themselves physically and emotionally.
He then references the late Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach’s famous saying: “We don’t raise no p***ies.”
However, Gates’ approach isn’t solely about physical confrontation. He creates accountability systems in his household where his children have specific responsibilities and earn their privileges. He pays his son $250 a week for completing chores and maintaining standards, teaching them that respect and responsibility go hand in hand with strength.
Drawing from his prison experiences, he explains that “respect runs the compound” and that this principle applies to all aspects of life. In his mind, teaching children to fight isn’t about promoting violence, it’s about ensuring they command respect and refuse to be victims.
