An internet trend known as “tradwife” has recently sparked both discourse and conversations about misogyny.

“Tradwife,” otherwise known as a traditional housewife, is a woman who takes on traditional household roles such as cooking and cleaning. They have also seen a resurgence in social media content through the form of fashion influence and cooking videos. 

“The ‘tradwife’ movement really is coming out of the political movement we’re seeing from our culture moving towards conservatism and focusing more on the woman as someone who should be subservient or submissive,” said Lauren Copeland, a fashion professor. 

The trend focuses on the ideas of moving back into the ‘50s and includes current maximalist trends of frilly dresses and bows, Copeland said. 

“What we’re seeing is this trickle across where the outside culture is influencing this movement, and its garnering more traction because of what’s happening in our political climate,” she said.

Abbigail Blackford, a fashion design major, sometimes watches videos breaking down ‘tradwife’ fashion and believes these trends aren’t here to stay. 

“They’re interesting to look at, but I don’t think they’ll continue as a real trend, if that makes sense,” Blackford said. “I just think their outfits don’t cater to a lot of people most of the time, and they don’t cater to what people are interested in.”

Blackford believes that while the outfits are often fun to look at, it’s unrealistic for the average person to replicate. 

The rise in “tradwife” content was not very surprising because historically there is usually a counter movement when progress is made for women, said Suzanne Holt, professor and coordinator of women’s studies. 

“By definition, the status quo can’t be a movement,” Holt said. “The status quo can maybe lose power when there’s a movement against it, and it can regain power when it defends itself and reestablishes its fortresses as it were.” 

“Tradwives” are also tied in historically with the idea of a traditional family, which is the perfect wife and husband. Traditional values can also exist alongside religion, where following a series of set rules elevates a person into a “saint like status,” Holt said. 

Keira Douglas, a senior criminal justice criminology and justice studies major, believes people shouldn’t worry about what others have to think so long as everyone is happy. 

“I mean, I don’t see anything wrong with it,” Douglas said. “If that’s what you want to do, then that’s what you want to do, like, if your husband is fine with it, then why are you worried about what other people think?”

Blackford also thinks more women need to be in support of the traditional wives because it can be hard work. 

“I think there can be feminism with being a stay-at-home mom because, like, that’s a really hard thing to do, staying home and raising kids, just taking care of them,” Blackford said. “So, I feel like women need to be more supportive of them.”