The tradwife movement is gaining popularity and also criticism. Is it just the new retro housewife or is it something different? And what can we learn from it?
The idea of a housewife isn’t new. It has however seemed to be seeing a bit of a gain of popularity lately after decades of a decline in housewives.
It’s hard to find data of just housewives, most are focused on stay-at-home mothers but that demographic has been rising. It rose to 29% in 2012 after the modern-era low of 23% in 1999.
It’s not just being a stay-at-home mom or housewife that is gaining popularity again, there is now a movement that calls itself tradwives.
I’m not sure how new it really is. The name is new and it seems to be popular in England while other movements have been a bit more of an American thing but it’s very similar to traditional wives and time-warped wives, and all the other names that have been used for traditional housewives.
There is actually a British blogger, The Darling Academy, that keeps popping up in articles and videos about this movement. She blogs about this and promotes the lifestyle. She seems to be a pretty new blogger but you can find out more about this movement on her site.
So the question is…
Is Tradwife the New Retro Housewife?
The tradwife movement doesn’t seem to be focused on living a vintage lifestyle in the sense of fashion or decorating style. Some like both but the tradwife movement tend to be more about staying home and submitting to your husband.
By contrast, what you will find here on Retro Housewife Goes Green is a return to simple things and also a love of retro fashion and decor and you won’t find any push for anyone to live a different life than what they feel is best for their family.
All kinds of homemakers are welcome here, or even just people that don’t consider themselves a homemaker but need some help taking care of their home.
If you love the idea of tradwife you are welcome and if you have a career outside of the home you are welcome! This is not to say all in the tradwife movement are pushing their values on others but you will for sure never find that here.
The best thing you can do for your family and your home is figure out what makes you and your family thrive. For me, I love taking care of my home but I also love running this blog and the rest of my business as well. I’ve always liked mixing things up and never fitting into a box.
Important Note: There is some link between the tradwife movement and racist groups. I will not allow any racism or hate on this site or within my community. This is something to be aware of if you get involved in this movement.
What We Can All Learn from the Tradwife Movement
I’m a believer that we can learn things from just about everyone. The tradwife movement is helping bring back some old-fashion homemaking skills that we are losing that could be helpful for us creating a calming and happy home and even help the environment.
The Tradwife blogger I talked about earlier has shared some delicious old-fashion recipes like classic British scones. I think we could all use a bit of a return to old-fashion, from scratching cooking.
We are losing a lot of homemaking skills and I have personally seen people struggling to learn them when they start to need them. Knowing some basic cooking skills, how to sew on a button, how to properly wash your laundry, and so many other homemaking things that used to be common knowledge are being lost and it can make being an adult a struggle.
It’s great to bring back some of those things. And a lot of us are looking to live a more simple life to have a bit less stress.
And maybe you have felt a bit lost because you want to be a full-time homemaker but few in your life support that. As long as it is what works for your family you may find some of these tradwife blogs and social media accounts comforting.
As long as we don’t judge each other or force our way of life on others, and there is no abuse, let’s all just learn from each other and support each other’s choices.
I’d love to hear what you think about the tradwife movement. Share your thoughts in the comments below. Just remember to be kind.
Join the Retro Homemakers Club
Looking for a community of others that love retro homemaking? Join the Retro Homemakers Club! It’s like the homemaking clubs from the 1950s but virtual so everyone can join.
Each month we meet on Zoom, there are special guest experts, free products, a private Facebook group and so much more. It’s the perfect place for advice and community.
Read More About Being a Retro Housewife
I have a lot of posts on adding bits of the retro housewife lifestyle into your life. Enjoy these posts and see if any of these ideas will improve your life and home.
Melanie Riley
Interesting! I’d never heard this term, tradwife. I agree that we all have something to learn from one another regarding our homes and families, no matter if we are at home full-time or out in the work world full-time. Support is key, no matter what kind of lifestyle one chooses. I still get funny looks when I tell people I’m at home full-time.
Amber Boulton
I really think that everyone must do whatever works for them. I’m certainly not a traditional housewife because I’m married to a woman. I’m absolutely open to any source of information that can help me improve my homemaking skills. The bottom line is that we are all doing what we think is best for our families.
Deanna Piercy
I’m happy to see what appears to be more interest in and respect for homemakers. As you say, as long as no one is being abused I think we should all do what works best for our own families. I know some have wondered why I didn’t go back to work as a nurse after I was no longer raising children but we both agree that our lives are better with me at home. Fortunately, I’m happy in that role.
Lorna
Your blog is such a breath of fresh air! My fiancée has helped me out with housework in the past (although our definitions of “clean” are a little different sometimes), but since the pandemic started, I’ve been working from home and assuming the “traditional” role of a wife (i.e. doing the laundry and housework, cooking, caring for our dog, etc). I actually really like it; I feel more feminine and purposeful, and I like browsing Pinterest for ideas and tips. However, I’m a staunch feminist (so is my fiancée), and too many of housewife-related blogs literally think feminism is a tool of Satan and ladies (especially mothers) who work outside the home are fallen women contributing to the downfall of our society (I’m sure managing a blog like this you’ve bumped into The Transformed Wife by now; if you haven’t, clear your evening and grab the vino!)
While I fit well into the box of traditional Christian housewife, I can’t help but read these kinds of shaming blogs, remember my lesbian, trans, and non-binary friends and feel like I’m doing them a disservice just for buying into even some aspects of the traditional mindset that they’ve been unfairly shoehorned into since the beginning of time. It’s SO refreshing to read a blog that validates both a traditional AND less traditional way of living. Thanks for your work!
Lisa Sharp
Thank you for your kind words. For me, it’s all about choice. If you are happy with a traditional role and that works in your family, go for it! If not, that’s okay too. We all have to do what’s best for us and our families. Everyone is welcome here!
Kathy
Lol. I read the title too fast. I thought you said Tradewife. I thought, “Oh, that’s a homemaker at home with a job.” Too funny. I’m sure there’s a label for that too. Sad we think we need so many labels. We should just support each other and all our differences. I am always fascinated by people that live differently than me. ?
Anna
Tradwives are directly related to the nationalist movement. They’re not something I’d be wontonly promoting or encouraging; clearly you need to do more research into it instead of taking the “housewife” part of it at face value.
Lisa Sharp
I’m 100% not promoting the term or idea. I will be sure to make that even more clear. I have done some research and it seems mixed on how related it is. It is used by some racist and terrible groups but it doesn’t seem to have started there.
I do not consider myself a tradwife. I run a full-time business, I’m child-free by choice, a Choctaw woman, and my community is open to all kinds of homemakers.
KLM
How interesting! I for one totally agree with traditional gender roles of men earning the household income and the wife taking full responsibility for the home and any children! It’s amazing that someone can be offended that there are actually many, many, women that feel this way. What about “tolerance”, or it that only if someone thinks exactly like them??I even read a blog that stated that this way of living is akin to being a “white supremacist”. Wow- now that’s an incredible stretch! I guess they must be saying that there aren’t any black women that are traditional housewives! If a woman want to be a traditional housewife- go for it, if you want to be the total opposite- go for it. It’s your choice, but don’t shame another woman who thinks differently than you.
Lisa Sharp
The Tradwife movement does have some white supremacy involved. That’s not to say all that have a traditional home are white supremacists. Sadly that group has had some racist roots.
Renie
Trad wife? Not in my world. Trad homemaker maybe, as it doesn’t imply a gender. Knowing how to sew a button, fold the laundry, boil an egg, clean the refrigerator…I’m all for it. But teach these skills to anyone who is interested, don’t target a “wife”. That part of the 50’s need never return. For those of us who grew up watching our wonderfully talented 1950’s Moms stuck at home, reading women’s magazines and watching black and white t.v. shows shove “good wife/bad wife” propaganda down their throats (most of whom did not have June Cleaver pearls permanently clasped around said throats)…thank you, no. And implying that these vintage house dress wearing cis women crave a role that allows their husband to be the bread winner or head of household, good lord, what’s next, pointy bras and girdles?
Lisa Sharp
The gender thing is why my group is called homemakers and why that is the term I use for others, I am cis-female and a wife so I use housewife as a term for myself. I’m not pro this movement or any of that. I run a successful business and my husband and I are partners. This is simply to share. I firmly believe everyone should do what’s best for themselves and their family.