E16 Tradwives: Feminist Freedom or Step Backward?

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.  Email : [email protected] 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.