Tradwife Trend Sparks Debate on Modern Feminism and Gender Roles

AUSTIN, Texas — Last year, a new cultural phenomenon emerged on social media: the “tradwife.” Women like Nara Smith, a former model turned influencer, have gained millions of followers by showcasing their lives as stay-at-home mothers and homemakers. With names like Ballerina Farm and platforms like Evie Magazine, these women promote a return to traditional gender roles, sparking both admiration and criticism.

Nara Smith, who lives in Texas, epitomizes the tradwife aesthetic. Her meticulously curated videos show her kneading dough, making cheese, and caring for her children, all while dressed in vintage-inspired attire. Yet, her lifestyle is far from simple. As a GQ profile revealed, preparing and filming a single sandwich can take up to seven hours, a full-time job in itself for someone with 8 million followers. Meanwhile, her children often eat simpler meals like porridge.

The tradwife movement has ignited a debate about modern feminism. While some see it as a celebration of domesticity, others view it as a regression to outdated gender norms. “These women are modern entrepreneurs,” said one cultural observer. “They earn significant income from their content, blending traditional roles with contemporary entrepreneurship.”

Evie Magazine, a platform targeting Gen Z women, exemplifies this duality. It promotes wellness apps and retro fashion while featuring articles like “How to Give a Lap Dance: A Step-by-Step Guide for Wives.” This mix of empowerment and traditionalism has left many questioning the movement’s true message.

For some women, the tradwife lifestyle offers an escape from the pressures of modern careers. Decades of feminist advocacy for workplace equality have not necessarily led to greater happiness. A 2019 Pew survey found that young, progressive women are among the most pessimistic about gender equality in the U.S., with higher rates of anxiety and depression.

However, the tradwife trend also reflects broader societal shifts. Twentieth-century feminism achieved significant milestones in education, employment, and political representation. Yet, it also disrupted traditional social contracts between men and women. Today, gender relations are increasingly polarized, with many men and women opting out of marriage and relationships altogether.

A 2019 Pew survey found that 61% of single men and 38% of single women were not interested in dating. Men, in particular, feel alienated by cultural narratives that critique traditional masculinity. “It feels like the instructions for how to live a good life don’t apply anymore,” said one 38-year-old unmarried man in Brooklyn. “Nobody has updated them.”

In response, some men are turning to alternative lifestyles, such as wellness fads or religious practices. The Telegraph recently reported that young, single men are flocking to Orthodox Christianity, drawn by its emphasis on structure and physical discipline. Others are choosing solitude, with the American Time Use Survey showing men spending more time alone than any other group.

Meanwhile, the tradwife movement continues to thrive online, offering a comforting, if fictional, vision of domestic bliss. Yet, as cultural observers note, it cannot mask the deeper issues of gender polarization and societal fragmentation. “We’re moving toward a world where men and women live in separate spheres,” said one analyst. “It’s cultural suicide.”