Is the Trad Wife Trend Setting Women Back—or Redefining Feminism? Episode 026
Scroll through TikTok or Instagram lately and you’ve probably seen it: women in flowing dresses baking bread from scratch, kids in matching outfits, husbands smiling proudly in the background. It’s called the Trad Wife trend—short for “traditional wife”—and it’s exploded across social media. Influencers like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm make domestic life look not only manageable but aspirational, serving up spotless homes and homemade meals with a 1950s-style polish.
But here’s the big question: does this glamorized version of homemaking give women back a sense of freedom—or quietly strip it away?
Why the Trad Wife Trend Took Off
The rise of tradwife content didn’t happen in a vacuum. During the COVID-19 pandemic, home life became the center of everything. People were baking bread, learning new skills, and spending more time online. That environment made “back to basics” content especially appealing. At the same time, many women were questioning the “girlboss” narrative. Years of pushing for career success without enough societal support—like paid family leave or affordable childcare—left some feeling burnt out. Tradwife content offered a different answer: step away from the grind and embrace family life.
The Problem with Nostalgia
Tradwife influencers often romanticize the 1950s as an era of simplicity and stability. But the reality of that time wasn’t so idyllic. Women then lacked many rights we now take for granted, from financial independence to reliable birth control. Divorce carried stigma, and many women were trapped in marriages without options. The image being sold today—a carefree suburban housewife with a perfect home—was accessible to only a small slice of society. Idealizing that past risks ignoring the limitations and inequalities women fought hard to overcome.
The Anti-Feminism Undercurrent
While some tradwife creators frame their lifestyle as a personal choice, others openly reject feminism. Their message is clear: a woman’s most fulfilling role is in the home, submitting to her husband. This perspective doesn’t just celebrate domestic life—it undermines the very progress that allowed women to have choices in the first place. Critics argue that this is where the movement moves from aesthetic to ideology, encouraging women to give up autonomy under the guise of empowerment.
Social Media vs. Reality
Part of the allure of the tradwife trend lies in its flawless presentation. Nara Smith, for example, has gone viral for her soothing videos making homemade pasta, candy bars, or cough drops for her family—often dressed like she’s stepped out of a fashion editorial. Hannah Neeleman films serene farm life scenes with eight children at her side. But behind the camera are resources and support systems most families don’t have. For the average woman, trying to replicate this level of perfection can lead to frustration and self-doubt. The “simple life” portrayed online is, in truth, a highly curated form of content creation.
What We Can Learn from the Trend
Here’s the real takeaway: the tradwife movement speaks to genuine desires—slowing down, valuing family, rejecting burnout. But the solution isn’t to retreat into rigid gender roles. Instead, it’s about choice. True empowerment means women can pursue careers, focus on homemaking, or design a blend of both, free from judgment or coercion. At the societal level, it means advocating for better systems—paid leave, childcare, flexible work—so families don’t feel trapped between extremes.
The Bottom Line
The Trad Wife trend isn’t just about sourdough starters or vintage aprons. It’s a reflection of cultural tension between nostalgia and progress, tradition and feminism. The lesson isn’t to reject it outright, but to question what it represents—and to push for a world where every woman can define success on her own terms.