Trad Wife Era

Have you heard the term 'Trad Wife' short for Traditional Wife? Well the term has been floating all over social media and my friends and I laugh when the term comes up because let's be real; this term is a modern fancy way to just describe our parents and grandparents and beyond and how those women lived their lives.

It sounds glamorous but really just a stay at home mom slaving away to cook, clean and be a mom. Ok not really, but a little :). Trad wife in these modern times is actually more of a modern take on the traditional housewife. Women that are making their own money while married whether the main bread winner, equal bread winner or making less; they're making money have somewhat of a modern lifestyle but also taking the time to make sourdough bread, bake, do arts and crafts, write down recipes etc. They're also trying to take on a more traditional wife role, tap into their feminine side and traditional gender role.

The kicker is they're all documenting their work. Vlogging, social media, videos are being shared with the world glamorizing the trend 'Trad Wife'.

How did this come to be? Well in the last five to ten years it's been rearing it's head trying to make a comeback due to the Christian Influencers fighting back against the modern 'feminism movement' as well as the heated climate regarding feminism, gender and family and what that should look like. I'd go as far to say that society went to far one way with the 'independent woman' and women became frustrated, tired and wanted to go back to the other side somewhat even if not the whole way it used to be.

The rise of social media platforms has assisted in many movements including the Trad Wife movement. Instagram, Youtube and Tik Tok has made it really easy to get your vibe and stance out there, share your projects and make your lifestyle lucrative; having the best of both worlds (making money, being independent and having a loving home life with a partner). This movement also tied into other trends like minimalism, cottagecore, and the rise of "self-care" and "slow living" movements.

Where is this trend going?

The trend will likely remain a niche but definitely is here to stay for a long time. Not all women or families find the traditional gender roles appealing or practical. However, it will likely continue to grow within certain communities, those who advocate for conservative or religious values or just enjoy it and prefer to have a balance between independence and family life. While the "trad wife" concept often aligns with conservative values, some people have reinterpreted it in modern, non-traditional ways. It could also persist among groups focused on sustainable living where homemaking and creating a domestic sanctuary are part of a broader lifestyle.

The trend will likely continue to thrive in online spaces as well. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube will remain places for influencers to share their "trad wife" lifestyles even if it’s just an aesthetic or part of a broader personal choice.

We've seen the Martha Stewart documentary, lifestyle brands such as Gwyneth Paltrow's 'Goop' and Kourtney Kardashian's 'Poosh', as well as Tik Tok sensations 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives', many many blogs, Ballerina Farms controversy and glow up of her brand and lifestyle, and most recently Megan Markle's new Netflix show 'With Love' coming Jan 15th which is all about her recipes and lifestyle tips.

I, myself, have been leaning into my trad wife sense by baking more, making most of my meals at home, learning how to sew and putting a little more effort into holiday home decor.

Happy Trad Wife'ing

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