A “tradwife,” or traditional wife, embraces traditional gender roles, focusing on homemaking, child-rearing, and supporting a spouse. Rooted in mid-20th century ideals, this lifestyle sparks debate about gender equality and modern feminism. While critics see it as outdated, supporters view it as a personal choice reflecting traditional values. Interestingly, some Gen Z women are revisiting the tradwife concept, seeing it as a way to prioritize family and personal fulfillment over career ambitions, further fueling discussions on women’s evolving roles.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “wide-ranging” mean? “Their points of view on the “tradwife” phenomenon were wide-ranging”. Make your own sentence.
- What does “exaggerated” mean in this context, ”I believe that their way of life is greatly exaggerated when they put it on social media.”? Give at least 2 synonyms of this word and make a sentence for each.
- What does “disingenuous” mean? “Not only is it sending harmful and misogynistic messages about gender roles to young girls, but it’s disingenuous.” Give two (2) synonyms of this word.
Discussion Questions:
- What does the term “tradwife” mean to you, and how do you define it?
- How does the tradwife lifestyle differ from traditional gender roles in history?
- Do you think social media has influenced the resurgence of the tradwife concept?
- Why do you think some women choose the tradwife lifestyle today?