21 Reasons Why Young Women Are Adopting the "Tradwife" Lifestyle, According to Gen Z, and Some of These Reasons Are Surprisingly Accurate

We recently surveyed Gen Z women to gather their perspectives on the trending "tradwife" movement and why it's gaining popularity among their peers, as supported by social justice research.

Their opinions on the "tradwife" trend varied widely; here are their insights:

1. "I was born in 2003, and I’m thrilled to see younger women finally embracing traditional values! Growing up, I was constantly told that the only path was to attend school, earn multiple degrees, and dive into a career. However, this never felt right to me, and I often faced criticism from peers whenever I expressed my desire to take a different route."

"I spent years chasing an education that left me unhappy until I met my boyfriend, whose stable career allows me to stay home. Now, I handle cleaning, laundry, dishes, cooking, and caring for our dog. I’ve never been happier and look forward to continuing this lifestyle into marriage and motherhood. I wish I had known sooner that this was a valid choice instead of being shamed for it."

—Anonymous 

2. "I believe the tradwife trend stems from a longing to return to the 'good old days.' As Gen Z, we’re a few generations removed from the wave of women entering the workforce. We’re now realizing how challenging it is to juggle a full-time career while being the kind of wife and mom who can cook homemade meals, maintain a spotless home, and manage everything else."

"We’ve seen our grandmothers and mothers struggle to 'do it all' and witnessed the toll it took on them. Personally, I worry about balancing a career with motherhood, especially if I want a large family. For some Gen Z women, reverting to the 1950s lifestyle—where their sole responsibilities were caring for the home and children—seems like a simpler solution. But that era wasn’t ideal either. Many women were financially dependent and controlled by their husbands, unable to even open a bank account. This was even worse for women of color. The 'good old days' are a myth, and romanticizing them ignores the harsh realities of the past."

—Anonymous 

3. "I strongly dislike the 'tradwife' trend. To me, it’s one of the most misguided ideas. While I understand the appeal of staying home with your kids and having financial support, it feels like a step backward, stripping away my independence and reducing me to a dependent role."

"Being a 'tradwife' seems to mean your entire existence revolves around your husband and children, but I believe I’m capable of so much more. I could never see myself living that way, and the concept doesn’t sit well with me. Life has so much more to offer beyond just being a parent and spouse, and I want to explore all of it."

—Anonymous

4. "There’s something oddly comforting about it, though. I used to be a driven, workaholic journalist, but the constant exposure to despair, pain, and loss took a toll on my mental health. I have immense respect for those who can endure such hardships and share their stories. The 'tradwife' trend, in a way, reminds me to pause, appreciate the small joys, and reconnect with activities I love, like cooking, baking, gardening, and spending time with children."

5. "As a Gen Z woman, I think it’s crucial to recognize that 'tradwife' influencers are, at their core, still influencers. Their portrayal of this lifestyle is likely highly exaggerated for social media."

"That said, if someone genuinely wants to live as a traditional wife, there’s nothing wrong with that. I fully support women in whatever path they choose, whether it’s a career, homemaking, or motherhood. More power to them!"

6. "The 'tradwife' movement feels like a counterbalance to the 'Girl Boss' culture. The pandemic made many of us slow down and appreciate the value of a simpler life, focusing more on home and family rather than work."

"While there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, blindly adopting the aesthetic and lifestyle without critically considering the broader world can lead to isolation and make one vulnerable to conservative ideologies."

—Anonymous 

7. "As one of the oldest Gen Z members (born in 1998), my take on the 'tradwife' movement is that younger women are rejecting a system that demands we work, pay taxes, and conform to unrealistic expectations. We’re saying, 'No more—I’m done trying to be everything to everyone.'"

"In my view, we’re dismantling the toxic notion that women must be superhuman. We recognize that our strengths differ from men’s, and we’re embracing those differences. Instead of envying men’s wealth and influence, we’ve realized our own power lies in being exceptional partners. We yearn for the traditional ways that sustained societies for millennia, which were disrupted by the counterculture movements. Now, we’re left dealing with the fallout of previous generations’ pursuit of power."

—Anonymous 

8. "To me, it feels like women are trying to revert to a time when we had no rights, just as we’re beginning to make significant progress."

"I don’t fully grasp this trend because we’ve always celebrated the freedom to choose careers, own homes, and more. Yet, many women are embracing the 'tradwife' lifestyle, which seems contradictory to me."

—Anonymous 

9. "My sister nearly embraced the traditional wife role, planning to be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool her kids while her husband worked. However, he turned out to be abusive and controlling. Now, she’s working two jobs, struggling to make ends meet, raising two kids—one of whom is autistic and requires significant resources—while her ex refuses to pay child support. This life isn’t about wearing pretty dresses and baking bread; it’s about stretching every dollar to feed five kids and keep the household afloat."

"It’s about facing a husband who’s angry you don’t look the same after pregnancy, divorcing you, and leaving you with no job history, education, or savings to afford a lawyer. Many don’t anticipate the risks, believing submission guarantees safety. But this lifestyle doesn’t grant equality—it’s a loss of rights wrapped in a deceptive, pretty package."

—Anonymous 

10. "I believe the 'tradwife' trend is the female counterpart to figures like Andrew Tate and Joe Rogan. It not only promotes harmful, misogynistic ideas about gender roles to young girls but is also deeply hypocritical."

"These women claim to be dedicated homemakers, suggesting ambition is for men, yet they likely earn more from their social media careers than their husbands. Historically, women were never just homemakers, even in the so-called 'good old days' tradwives idolize. Do we really want to return to a time when marital abuse and rape were legal, and women couldn’t open a bank account or get a credit card? You can enjoy baking bread in a cottagecore aesthetic without glorifying outdated values or telling women their worth is tied to serving a husband."

—Anonymous 

11. "I’m 22 with a journalism degree, and while 90% of me wants to pursue a career in journalism, I can’t ignore the allure of a traditional lifestyle."

12. "There’s nothing inherently wrong with staying home to raise kids or baking sourdough bread, but idealizing this lifestyle can be damaging, especially for younger audiences."

"Women already shoulder a disproportionate amount of unpaid labor, and the 'tradwife' trend risks promoting a radicalized mindset that normalizes unequal workloads in relationships, suggesting this is what women desire and are meant to do. Having independent income is essential, not just in cases of domestic violence but also for financial security in the event of divorce. Those who dive into the 'tradwife' lifestyle without careful consideration may find themselves trapped in difficult situations."

—Anonymous

13. "The 'tradwife' trend is a sign of societal regression. In elementary school, I learned about female astronauts and doctors, and it felt like there were no limits to what I could achieve."

"Now, in my early 20s, I’m being told homeownership is out of reach, and my only options are to be a wife and mother. While there’s nothing wrong with being a homemaker, it’s not the life I aspire to."

—Anonymous 

14. "'Tradwife' content is inherently hypocritical because these women promote the idea of being a stay-at-home mom dependent on their husbands while often profiting from it, which contradicts the very essence of being a 'tradwife.'"

"These women are essentially entrepreneurs marketing a lifestyle they don’t fully live. While it’s great they’re earning money, they should be honest about it; otherwise, it’s misleading."

—Anonymous

15. "I genuinely appreciate the 'tradwife' trend. Growing up, I felt immense pressure to become a 'girl boss,' and my desire to be a stay-at-home mom seemed to alienate me, even causing friction with friends who were adamant about feminist career-driven ideals."

"I hope that one day I can raise my children the way I envision, being present and the best mother possible. While some may exploit the trend for attention, I’m glad it’s gaining acceptance."

—Anonymous 

16. "I think it’s wonderful to see women pursuing what they truly want. If being a homemaker is their choice, that’s fantastic. However, it’s troubling when they criticize other women in the comments for choosing different paths."

"Personally, I aspire to be the primary earner in my family, and my husband fully backs this decision. When I browse the comments on these videos, I see women criticizing others on both sides. If you want to embrace the tradwife lifestyle, go ahead. If being a stay-at-home mom is your goal, do it. If you want to pursue your career passions, that’s great too! The shaming is particularly harmful because many people can’t afford this lifestyle and rely on dual incomes to survive."

—Anonymous

17. "As a Gen Z woman, I believe women should be able to define their roles in marriage or long-term partnerships in ways that suit them. However, I struggle to see how anyone can financially sustain the 'tradwife' lifestyle or support a partner who chooses it."

"I’ve been with my partner for six years, married for three, and we’ve always juggled three to five jobs between us just to get by. The idea of being a stay-at-home parent, whether mom or dad, is a luxury few can afford in today’s economy. While I support personal choices, it’s important to recognize the privilege behind such decisions."

—Anonymous 

18. "I appreciate seeing women who find empowerment in their family roles through social media. However, I take issue with the 'tradwife' concept when it becomes arrogant, elitist, or glorifies the mainstream tradwife culture of the 1950s and 1960s."

19. "As a Gen Z woman, I once aspired to be a 'tradwife.' While I can’t speak for everyone, this desire stemmed from an idealized view of the past and frustration with how women are treated in work and education."

"I frequently see young women on social media expressing dissatisfaction with school or work, often wishing for the return of the tradwife lifestyle. It reminds me of my former self. I now understand that being a 'tradwife' is far from the social media portrayal, and I hope more women in my generation realize this sooner rather than later."

20. "I think many of these women have simply discovered a new way to monetize their presence on social media."

And finally...

21. "I see this as a unique dating trend for this generation. Many women are frustrated with modern men. Dating often begins on Snapchat, followed by a prolonged 'talking stage' or 'situationship' that lasts months before any commitment. Women are tired of the lack of romance—no flowers, no grand gestures—which is why they’re drawn to the idea of being a 'tradwife' with a provider husband."

"They crave appreciation and the kind of old Hollywood romance with grand gestures, but many men today don’t offer that. This has led women to retreat into the fantasy of a traditional wife role. It’s not necessarily about being a homemaker; it’s about finding security and stability. While not all men are like this, many Gen Z men fall into this pattern."

—Anonymous