The term "tradwife" is making a name for itself in social networks, but it should not be confused with the concept of a housewife. If you're thinking of a throwback to the 50s, where the wife took care of the house while the husband supported the whole family financially, you've caught the gist of this trend. But why is there so much talk about this concept and why is it so contradictory?

What is a "tradwife"?

A "Tradwife" (short for "traditional wife") adheres to traditional gender roles, where the woman focuses on managing the home, caring for the children, and supporting her husband as the head of the household. In short, she sees herself as a "housewife" in the full sense of the word.

According to parenting expert Meg Tibayan, "This lifestyle is inspired by mid-20th century ideas and romanticizes domestic duties as essential to a woman's personal fulfillment." But while some see this as a return to family values, others feel that this trend limits women's rights and restores old gender stereotypes.

How is "tradwife" presented on social networks?

On social media, the tradwife looks like a picture-perfect scene: women in long dresses, cooking healthy meals, taking care of children outdoors, and keeping sparkling homes. Influencer like @esteecwilliams explains this lifestyle as a choice to be “submissive to the man and to serve him.”

But there is a big contradiction here: although they pretend not to work, these women often spend hours creating, editing and managing their content on social networks. Many of them even earn money from the large number of followers they have.

Why is this trend so popular?

One of the catalysts behind the popularity of this trend is Hannah Neeleman, known as @ballerinafarm on Instagram. A former Julliard-trained ballerina, she left her career to devote herself to family life. Today, she has eight children and manages a farm in Utah, sharing moments from her "perfect life" with over 10 million followers.

But behind the scenes of her content, there is a different truth: her husband comes from an extremely wealthy family, making their lifestyle unattainable for most women who try to follow this style.

Tradwife is not the same as being a housewife

The main difference between a tradwife and a stay-at-home mother lies in the purpose and commitment to gender roles. While stay-at-home mothers often choose to stay at home for practical reasons, such as high childcare costs, tradwives embrace traditional roles as a personal conviction and life philosophy.

Expert Rachel Goldberg adds that: “Tradwife tries to elevate a time when women existed to support their husbands. This concept often ignores the significant progress women have made on the road to gender equality.”

Why is this trend so contradictory?

Many people criticize "tradwife" as this trend suggests that women are financially dependent on their husbands. This reality may seem okay if you have an ideal husband and sufficient financial resources, but not all women have this luxury.

In an analysis of tradwife posts, Moore, a relationship expert, notes:
“None of the viral videos talk about what happens when the husband is not supportive or when the family is struggling financially. This lifestyle only works if the man is good and has enough money to support the family.”

Ultimately, tradwife is not simply a throwback in time, but a debate that raises questions about personal choices, gender roles, and the sustainability of such a lifestyle in the modern world. Eternal or temporary? The majority decides.