Murder of Crones

E16 Tradwives: Feminist Freedom or Step Backward?


Listen Later

What happens when traditional gender roles meet modern feminism? In this episode of Murder of Crones, Kori, Jen, and Zab unpack the rise of the Tradwife movement—looking beyond the aesthetic to question power, choice, and control. Is it genuine empowerment, or a return to limiting roles shaped by religion and politics? Are Tradwives anti-feminist… or feminism in action? Listen in and decide.

 

Show Notes

Takeaways:

  • The traditional wife model: roles, aesthetics, and cultural significance
  • Power dynamics and submission within Tradwife relationships
  • The ideological underpinnings: religion, politics, and white nationalism
  • Social media's role in glamorizing and monetizing Tradwife culture
  • Feminism’s perspective: choice, autonomy, and societal implications
  • The intersection of Tradwives with conservative policies and social agendas
  • The economic realities and risks for women adopting this lifestyle
  • Critique of hustle culture and capitalism within the Tradwife aesthetic
  • Future challenges: legislation, social acceptance, and diversity of choice
  • Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction: the rise and cultural aesthetic of Tradwives

    02:00 - Social media's influence on Tradwife culture

    03:13 - Initial reactions: admiration, confusion, alarm

    03:38 - Tradwives as a step backward for feminism

    04:01 - Wealth and visibility in Tradwife portrayals

    05:03 - Traditional model: roles, submission, and gender dynamics

    06:49 - Visual aesthetics and curated femininity

    07:46 - Morphed and adapted social media presence

    08:38 - Gender differences and role delineation

    09:04 - Trust and decision-making in Tradwife relationships

    10:11 - The importance of partnership vs hierarchy

    11:00 - Vulnerabilities: losing skills, economic insecurity

    12:06 - Historical context: 1950s family ideals

    13:16 - Religious and conservative political influences

    14:37 - Social media promotion and the glamorization of domestic skills

    16:12 - Economic autonomy and potential risks for women

    17:18 - The appeal amid burnout and social chaos

    18:29 - Declining marriage rates and social trends

    19:25 - The racial and nationalist undertones of procreation drives

    21:17 - Impact on children and religious influences on gender roles

    22:39 - Religious and conservative currents in the Tradwife movement

    25:41 - The intersection with politics, legislation, and social policy

    28:49 - Submission, obedience, and power structures in relationships

    36:32 - The branding and monetization of Tradwife influencers

    44:51 - Social media as a marketing platform and industry for Tradwives

    55:21 - The dangerous undercurrents: white nationalism, religious fundamentalism

    60:27 - Feminism and choice: navigating autonomy vs societal pressures

    62:41 - The importance of political engagement and education

    64:29 - The role of legislation and the need for social vigilance

    66:01 - The importance of critical thinking and empathy in education

    66:39 - Closing thoughts and acknowledgments

     

    This episode provides a nuanced perspective on a controversial social phenomenon—balancing respect for individual choice with a critique of underlying societal and political currents. Whether you see the Tradwife lifestyle as empowerment or regression, understanding its complexities is essential.

     

    Reference:                                                                                                                           Bilezikian, G. (1985). Beyond sex roles: What the Bible says about a woman’s place in church and family. Baker Academic.

    Butler, J. (1990). Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity. Routledge.

    Hochschild, A. R., & Machung, A. (2012). The second shift: Working families and the revolution at home (Revised ed.). Penguin Books. (Original work published 1989)

    Nock, S. L. (1998). Marriage in men’s lives. Oxford University Press.

    Pateman, C. (1988). The sexual contract. Stanford University Press.

    Perel, E. (2006). Mating in captivity: Unlocking erotic intelligence. HarperCollins.

    Rubin, G. (1975). The traffic in women: Notes on the “political economy” of sex. In R. Reiter (Ed.), Toward an anthropology of women (pp. 157–210). Monthly Review Press.

    Schwartz, P. (1994). Peer marriage: How love between equals really works. Free Press.

    Contact Information: Find Murder of Crones on You Tube, Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. 


    Special Thanks to www.dinnissindesign.com for Zabrina’s use of their show room for recording. Check them out for all your interior design needs. Dinnissen Design is located in Vancouver and Castlegar BC.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Murder of CronesBy MofCrones