Thanks for taking some time to call out the tradwives! This trend bothers me to no end. It’s becoming particularly mainstreamed in the US alongside the Republican Party and the Republicans are making a point of centering this aspect of their culture with the upcoming election this fall. They know they are in trouble with women because they have absolutely decimated women’s rights and so they’re trying to reclaim feminism as this traditional housewife thing and it’s just 🤮. I too am choosing to stay mostly at home with my kids but what is important time is that I get to make that choice. And it’s been harrowing to make that choice because I don’t want to be seen as a tradwife 😂
Thanks for your comment, Ashley! When I stumbled across this whole trend, I didn't realise the more extreme ideologies behind some of the movement. But yes, I can see how it must be worrying right now with an election imminent. I totally get your difficulties around staying home with kids! I have been there too. It always amazes me that we feel we need to "justify" our choices as women. Keep on doing what's right for you and your family 💕
I read this when you first posted and realized I only read it in the email. But anyway, I wanted to say that I think you did a fantastic job with this piece. I honestly think you nailed it with this. The Red Pill society or whatever scares me. They're very intense, and only growing more intense. Honestly, I just worry for these women. There's so much to say on this topic! I want to say, "you do you" to people, but it's just not that simple.
Thank you so much, Luka. Yes, I really tried to take an objective look, and whilst I do feel that people should be free to choose their own ways of living, I think extremes can become problematic when they're shared on social media.
Fascinating piece! I love the links you’ve made between figures like Schlafly and Laura Brown, and the recent trend of tradwives. As a feminist, I think women should be able to choose now they live their life… But as you’ve mentioned, this trend brings up a lot of problematic issues concerning gender, race and class. It doesn’t sit right with me! Thank you for sharing :)
Thank you, Victoria! Yes, the book is really good, the way it interweaves the three women's stories together is a remarkable achievement. The film is one of the best book adaptations I have come across though. I have just ordered Cunningham's new book from the library, which apparently interweaves three narrator's stories as well.
Great article! I loved The Hours as well, both the book and film. I consider myself a feminist, and I do see the point these trad wives are making, that it is a life of their choice, and that is what we want for folks of all genders, to freely choose the life they want. But…choosing financial dependence on another person is just so risky. Even the ones who are profiting from their marriage via social media, that income is fragile because it’s based on portraying a life that could fall apart any time. I hope at least one of these wives is secretly socking her money influencer money away for her eventual escape to Canada and a quiet life as a librarian 😂
So beyond fascinating, it was so interesting to see a lot of the articles were from around the time my first child was born in early 2020. I have since stayed at home but NOT in a tradwife way (!) and I am continually unpicking the layers and the differences between the patriarchal construct of motherhood and the act of mothering in its most raw form. It’s a wild ride and something I am figuring out whilst writing and creating in all the pockets of time I get! Thank you for this brilliant post and a reminder to re-watch The Hours! xx
Thank you, Lyndsay! You have it exactly right: a wild ride indeed!! I, too, have had stints where I have been at home full-time when my kids were younger and often felt the judgement of others on my choices. It's something that both endlessly fascinates and annoys me; the ways in which our society attempts to pigeon-hole us as mothers (and feminists). I'm glad that you are continuing to write and create! You can achieve great things in those tiny pockets of time 😀
Julianne Moore's section was always my favorite in The hours, and I loved Mrs America so much! I find the concept and rise of the tradwife trend fascinating and I'm one of those who think there's definitely a class and racial component to it. Excellent post!
Thank you, Ani! I'm glad you enjoyed reading. Yes...quite bizarrely fascinating, isn't it? Mrs America was such a great series! I watched it with my daughter during the pandemic and I thought Cate Blanchett did an amazing job with it.
Thanks for taking some time to call out the tradwives! This trend bothers me to no end. It’s becoming particularly mainstreamed in the US alongside the Republican Party and the Republicans are making a point of centering this aspect of their culture with the upcoming election this fall. They know they are in trouble with women because they have absolutely decimated women’s rights and so they’re trying to reclaim feminism as this traditional housewife thing and it’s just 🤮. I too am choosing to stay mostly at home with my kids but what is important time is that I get to make that choice. And it’s been harrowing to make that choice because I don’t want to be seen as a tradwife 😂
Thanks for your comment, Ashley! When I stumbled across this whole trend, I didn't realise the more extreme ideologies behind some of the movement. But yes, I can see how it must be worrying right now with an election imminent. I totally get your difficulties around staying home with kids! I have been there too. It always amazes me that we feel we need to "justify" our choices as women. Keep on doing what's right for you and your family 💕
I read this when you first posted and realized I only read it in the email. But anyway, I wanted to say that I think you did a fantastic job with this piece. I honestly think you nailed it with this. The Red Pill society or whatever scares me. They're very intense, and only growing more intense. Honestly, I just worry for these women. There's so much to say on this topic! I want to say, "you do you" to people, but it's just not that simple.
Thank you so much, Luka. Yes, I really tried to take an objective look, and whilst I do feel that people should be free to choose their own ways of living, I think extremes can become problematic when they're shared on social media.
Fascinating piece! I love the links you’ve made between figures like Schlafly and Laura Brown, and the recent trend of tradwives. As a feminist, I think women should be able to choose now they live their life… But as you’ve mentioned, this trend brings up a lot of problematic issues concerning gender, race and class. It doesn’t sit right with me! Thank you for sharing :)
Thank you! 😊 Yes...it's a tricky one, and I agree that feminism is all about equality and the right to autonomy over our own lives.
I’ll get it bought. I think it’s probably time to watch the film again as well. I’ve seen it a couple of times, but not for a few years now.
Thanks, Kate. Really interesting. I loved The Hours, but I’ve not read the book. I need to put that right!
Thank you, Victoria! Yes, the book is really good, the way it interweaves the three women's stories together is a remarkable achievement. The film is one of the best book adaptations I have come across though. I have just ordered Cunningham's new book from the library, which apparently interweaves three narrator's stories as well.
Great article! I loved The Hours as well, both the book and film. I consider myself a feminist, and I do see the point these trad wives are making, that it is a life of their choice, and that is what we want for folks of all genders, to freely choose the life they want. But…choosing financial dependence on another person is just so risky. Even the ones who are profiting from their marriage via social media, that income is fragile because it’s based on portraying a life that could fall apart any time. I hope at least one of these wives is secretly socking her money influencer money away for her eventual escape to Canada and a quiet life as a librarian 😂
Haha, me too! 😀 What an idyllic idea...
You raise good points though about dependence. Thank you for reading, Rosalynn!
So interesting! Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed reading 😀
So beyond fascinating, it was so interesting to see a lot of the articles were from around the time my first child was born in early 2020. I have since stayed at home but NOT in a tradwife way (!) and I am continually unpicking the layers and the differences between the patriarchal construct of motherhood and the act of mothering in its most raw form. It’s a wild ride and something I am figuring out whilst writing and creating in all the pockets of time I get! Thank you for this brilliant post and a reminder to re-watch The Hours! xx
Thank you, Lyndsay! You have it exactly right: a wild ride indeed!! I, too, have had stints where I have been at home full-time when my kids were younger and often felt the judgement of others on my choices. It's something that both endlessly fascinates and annoys me; the ways in which our society attempts to pigeon-hole us as mothers (and feminists). I'm glad that you are continuing to write and create! You can achieve great things in those tiny pockets of time 😀
Yes to all of this Kate. And thank you for your reassuring words, trusting in the process! xx
Julianne Moore's section was always my favorite in The hours, and I loved Mrs America so much! I find the concept and rise of the tradwife trend fascinating and I'm one of those who think there's definitely a class and racial component to it. Excellent post!
Thank you, Ani! I'm glad you enjoyed reading. Yes...quite bizarrely fascinating, isn't it? Mrs America was such a great series! I watched it with my daughter during the pandemic and I thought Cate Blanchett did an amazing job with it.