In the vast sea of social media, a curious phenomenon has emerged — the resurgence of “trad-wives” on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
This trend glorifies a traditional lifestyle, urging women to embrace domesticity, submission, and conservative values. Yet, beneath the veil of homemaking lies a troubling narrative of manipulation and dubious intentions.
This unsavoury trend draws followers into a carefully curated world imitating domestic life, where women display traditional virtues: cooking, cleaning, and catering to their husbands’ every need. They often tie this lifestyle to religious teachings and moral judgments, proposing the traditional life that they portray as superior to others.
However, lurking beneath the surface are hidden intentions, often steeped in misogyny and regressive ideologies as influencers create a false aesthetic, portraying a life far from the one they really live.
Creators promoting the “trad-wife” lifestyle often propagate harmful stereotypes, reducing women to objects of subservience. They romanticize outdated gender roles, dismissing the work made towards gender equality. Furthermore, the emphasis on traditionalism perpetuates a narrow definition of femininity, alienating those who deviate from the prescribed norm.
What’s particularly insidious about this trend is the hypocrisy that fills so much of its content. While many of these women post videos showcasing their homemaking skills, their roles as social media influencers already set them apart from the traditional lifestyle they promote.
While these women advocate for total reliance on their husbands and complete dedication to homemaking, oftentimes, their content creates a substantial amount of income, separating them from the lifestyle they claim. The ability to cook elaborate meals three times a day in extravagant gowns is simply not a luxury afforded to most women taking on this domestic role.
Moreover, the “trad-wife” trend not only reinforces harmful gender norms but also perpetuates a culture of judgment. Women who don’t conform to traditional roles are often ostracized or deemed unworthy, feeding into a cycle of shame and insecurity.