The Tradwife epidemic - opinion

Tradwives, or traditional wives, as a concept, has become increasingly popular across social media, with many women sharing their journeys of embracing a more traditional lifestyle.

The subculture adheres to traditional values that women should stay at home and care for children, while men are the primary breadwinners. Those who follow it typically claim that they are "God-fearing Christians" or antifeminist, despite feminism being the reason they can choose to lead that lifestyle.

Many of those sharing their journey claim that this is the ideal life for women and that women are not made for jobs - instead, they are made to be housewives.

Tradwife cooking - Unsplash

But why does this ideology take hold so strongly in people, and why should it frighten you?

The traditional values they follow originated from a time when women had limited rights. And in the current political climate, this rhetoric is worrying.

With the US overturning their long-standing abortion laws, women's rights are being questioned, and people are becoming more conservative with their values.

The concept of tradwives has existed for a long time, but it is now gaining attention. So, is it becoming more popular, or is it propaganda? Would you be happier in a career, or would you be glad to stay at home to raise your children and look after your husband?

Realistically, you have the right to choose how you would like to live your life without judgement, but you have to remember why you can make a choice.

You can't be a tradwife and hate feminism. Without feminism, women would have been forced into that role rather than being able to choose that lifestyle.

Harrison Butker, an American football player, created controversy when he spoke at the graduation ceremony at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, a Catholic college.

He spoke against abortion and gender issues among Catholics. Still, most importantly, he claimed he was talking to the women graduating that day.

He said: "I think it is you, the women who have had the most diabolical lies told.

"Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and your children you will bring into this world"

To say this to a room full of women graduating, after they had just put in the work to gain their degree, has caused a lot of controversy across the internet, with many people wondering why this was allowed to happen.

Women's rights protest - Unsplash

Some took to the internet to compare his speech to something out of The Handmaid's Tale, a powerful book showing women being used as incubators for children for the wealthy who cannot reproduce.

The book's author, Margaret Atwood, has stated that she only wrote about events that have occurred in history, and many believe that history is repeating itself.

The rise in these conservative ideals really makes you wonder if what you're seeing is right-wing propaganda.

Tradwives have chosen that lifestyle. However, if this kind of rhetoric continues to spread, the right to choose may become a privilege that few will have access to.

Tradwives should scare you because that could be you, or someone you love, forced to give up their career to be nothing but a mother and homemaker.

Many tradwives do not follow right-wing ideals and are happy to do what they do and speak openly about the struggles and choices they make.

Being a tradwife isn't inherently conservative or alt-right, but it can be a slippery slope that quickly leads down that pipeline.

That is why it needs to be watched, as it may lead many young women down a damaging road.