From Proud Trad Wife to ‘Dead Inside’: One Woman’s Journey Through Traditional Living

Cali, a 20-year-old influencer from Tennessee, is passionate about a lifestyle called “tradwife.” This term refers to women who embrace traditional roles, focusing on homemaking, faith, and family. For Cali, this means daily tasks like gathering eggs and cooking. She believes that by following this lifestyle, she can prepare herself for motherhood, hoping to have 10 to 15 children one day.

Recently, a trend known as “fertility-maxxing” has gained attention on social media. It involves consuming certain foods, like raw liver and milk, with the belief that they boost fertility. Despite its popularity, experts warn that this approach can be dangerous and lacks scientific backing. According to a study from the Journal of Women’s Health, consuming raw animal products can pose health risks, including exposure to harmful bacteria and parasites.

Cali’s perspective reflects a broader movement among influencers who advocate for traditional lifestyles. They often share images of domestic life, sometimes donning vintage dresses and discussing gender roles in a 1950s context. Critics, however, argue that the tradwife movement can be linked to alt-right ideologies, where traditional roles can inadvertently reinforce misogyny and racism. A significant number of social media accounts apparently promote harmful stereotypes and divisive views.

Interestingly, the rise of the tradwife concept parallels the political climate in the U.S. Since Donald Trump’s election in 2016, there has been a noticeable uptick in this kind of content. On platforms like TikTok, there are over 60,000 posts tagged with “tradwife,” showcasing how many are engaged with this lifestyle online.

For those involved, like Cali, it’s about finding comfort in traditional values that emphasize family. But not everyone shares her enthusiasm. Enitza Templeton, a former tradwife, spent over a decade dedicated to domestic roles. She describes her experience as ultimately detrimental, feeling “dead inside” by focusing solely on homemaking. Enitza warns young women about the potential risks associated with the tradwife ideology, arguing it can lead to relationships where control and submission take precedence.

Empirical data support her views. A survey by the Pew Research Center reveals that a significant number of women today feel pressured to embody traditional roles, which can limit their personal growth and autonomy. In contrast, Enitza now advocates against the tradwife lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of individual identity and well-being.

The dynamics of the tradwife movement reveal a divide. For some, it offers a nostalgic return to perceived simpler times. For others, it raises red flags about underlying control and conformity. It’s essential for young women, especially those drawn into online communities, to critically evaluate the messages they encounter and consider how these ideals align with their own aspirations.



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