The podcast delves into the 'cult' of tradwives with guests Anne Helen Petersen and Reese Oliver. They discuss the disturbing trend of traditional wife culture blending biblical womanhood with social media aesthetics. The conversation explores the racist and sexist ideologies of tradwives in a modern context, dissecting the allure and dangers of this regressive movement.
The Tradwife lifestyle simplifies responsibilities by focusing on traditional gender roles and domestic duties for a structured life.
Different sects of Tradwives exist, from authentic traditionalists to extreme biblical adherents, catering to various preferences and beliefs.
Influencers adapt to the Tradwife trend online, resonating with audiences seeking traditional values and aesthetics in modern content.
Deep dives
The Allure of Being a Tradwife
The appeal of the Tradwife lifestyle lies in simplifying responsibilities by focusing on traditional gender roles and domestic duties. For many, juggling multiple jobs and responsibilities make the idea of solely managing household tasks attractive. The desire for a manageable and structured life in a world filled with complexities draws individuals to the comforting rules and roles of the Tradwife lifestyle.
Diverse Manifestations of Tradwives
Tradwives come in various denominations and sects, each with its own unique characteristics. Canonical Tradwives, like Ballerina Farm, follow an authentic traditional lifestyle without overtly claiming the Tradwife title. Others lean heavily into the Tradwife brand with focuses ranging from aesthetics and presentation to homeschooling and theological arguments. Extreme Tradwives, such as the Transformed Wife, espouse strict biblical femininity and passivity in-home roles.
The Influential Algorithm and Tradwife Evolution
The explosion of the Tradwife term on the internet, especially during the pandemic, can be attributed to influencers adapting to the algorithm for social media success. From TikTok to YouTube, individuals like Estee Williams tailor content to resonate with audiences seeking content aligning with traditional roles, even if not firmly rooted in the religious or ideological beliefs associated with Tradwives.
Neo-Liberal Tradwives and DIY Homesteader Influencers
Among the diverse Tradwife denominations, there exist neo-liberal and DIY homesteader influencers. These individuals embody traditional lifestyles in terms of aesthetics and self-sufficiency, often without overt religious connotations. While they may hold progressive political views, they may align with certain traditional values and aesthetics in their content, attracting followers seeking a return to self-sustainability and traditional living amidst modern complexities.
Exploring the Tradwife Lifestyle
The podcast delves into the phenomenon of 'Tradwives' who embrace traditional gender roles and domesticity. It discusses how some individuals, inspired by aspects of rural living and homesteading, voluntarily adopt a lifestyle reminiscent of the 1800s, focusing on self-sustainability and simplicity.
Cultish Elements in Tradwife Culture
The episode highlights concerning beliefs and rituals within the 'Tradwife' community, such as promoting biblical femininity and emphasizing submission to husbands. It touches on extreme practices like memorializing miscarriages and the potential cult-like aspects of glorifying traditional gender roles and restrictive ideologies.
First of all, we are downright GIDDY to share two iconic voices on this week’s episode—not only our expert guest, culture reporter (and personal hero of Amanda’s) Anne Helen Petersen, but also Sounds Like A Cult’s very own intern (actually recently promoted to coordinator 😎), Reese Oliver!!! Speaking of new voices, team SLAC has been cooking up additional cult leaders to add to the hosting rotation later this year, and Amanda is v excited not to have to converse all by herself 😂 In all seriousness, everyone at team SLAC has been feeling a lot of gratitude lately, and we want to thank you listeners for sticking around for this wacky roller coaster ride. NOW, onto introducing the “cult” of tradwives. Short for “traditional wife,” this disturbing cultural craze marries idealizations of biblical womanhood with romantic social media aesthetics to create a freaky wave of politically regressive influencers, who’ve rejected feminism in favor of oppression… but make it "cute?" In between churning their own butter and brushing their naturally birthed kids’ hair, tradwives evangelize a host of ideologies so racist and sexist, at first it seems like a bit… and then it’s not. SCARY!!!! Join Reese, Anne, and Amanda down the rabbit hole, as they attempt to puzzle out this confounding modern-day “cult.”
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