The Trad Wife Movement. The Return To Family And Tradition

   At The Cultural Skeptic we celebrate Faith, Family, Freedom and Money  because each one is important for the way they turn an existence into a LIFE! 

   Each category is invaluable and makes the others more important, building on each other in a positive spiral. 

Faith, Family, Freedom and Money

    Money has value and the need for it skyrockets in a growing family. 

   Faith in God gives us hope and perspective in a family crisis, or during a time of lack of money.

   Freedom is the fuel to drive us through difficulties and discouragements to continue fighting for the other three. 

   Family is why we keep having faith, earning money and defending freedom. They are worth it, even when it feels like an uphill battle.

   These things were held in higher esteem a few generations ago. Foundational tenets are easily lost in modern society.

A Return To The Old Ways

   But some are showing the world the value of the old ways and what they look like. 

What Is A Trad Wife?

  Trad Wives is a phenomenon gaining attention. (Trad being short for Tradition) They are women who advocate for a more traditional way of life and share their daily routines with the world in videos and social media. Trad wives usually choose not to work outside the home. They want to be with their children, cook meals and create a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere and cherish the moments. 

“We were so focused on giving our children what we never had that we forgot to give them what we did have.”   -Author Unknown

   These brave souls embrace the conventional roles of husband and wife, where the man earns the dollars; the woman cares for little ones and keeps the home fires burning. They believe the kids benefit from a lot of quality time with a parent as opposed to delegating to a daycare professional. It’s a stable routine so they can thrive in creativity and development.

   They were once called housewives before the word became a pejorative.

Why Is This So Controversial?

   Doing something boldly out of the mainstream is controversial to those who don’t like it. But that is built into American DNA. 

   And some people fear a return to a lifestyle that reveals the deficiency of our choices today. Critics accuse the movement of returning women to the dark ages, staying barefoot and pregnant. 

Is Freedom Only For Approved Choices?

   The disparaging remarks overlook the detail of people making personal choices and deciding what aligns best with their values. The criticism implies ignorance or indentured servitude. Neither is fair or accurate. 

   These intelligent, informed and free people make decisions that run against the grain of society at large. 

   Maybe these moms want to build children’s character and shape the next generation instead of career advancement, or make memories and family bonds as opposed to a promotion and a 401k match. It’s their individual decision, but are frequently attacked for their choice. 

  Opponents of Trad wives usually love the freedom to choose. 

  But this particular choice is met with only disapproval and criticism. 

   Why?

    Because it’s not their choice. 

      If we aspire to a democracy, big tent idea where every voice counts, they shouldn’t be shouted down or shamed for deviating from the norm. 

   Perhaps, everyone else deviated from the norm at some point.

   Most Trads see themselves as tethered to the ideal while trying to pull back society from the drift of time and avoid the rocks.   

   By the way, the people choosing a return to the old ways never condemn others who choose differently. They showcase their lifestyle along with challenges and benefits of the experience. It’s a ‘Live and Let Live’ vibe.

   With even a casual observation, one may decide they have a point. The two job working family, juggling schedules and kids’ activities may be a hamster wheel to step away from. 

   I alluded to this in an earlier post, which you can see here: https://www.theculturalskeptic.com/slow-living-the-forgotten-art-of-enjoying-life/

Did The Modern Promise Deliver?

 This trend shows up at a time when many women have publicly questioned whether the career-first message delivered the fulfillment and happiness they expected. 

   The career that was so exciting in their twenties has left them unfulfilled and feeling betrayed. 

   Critics will often bash a phenomenon because it highlights the failures of their own philosophy. 

Lifestyles For Stronger Families

   Maybe today’s children aren’t as happy, secure and well adjusted as a generation ago. Shouldn’t this be a problem we try to solve? 

    A nation of free people is a large laboratory, with each trying their own experiments to see which works best. 

   Can you imagine a scientist shouting at another because he hates the experiment being tried? It’s a ridiculous visual.

   Could critics be so invested in a narrative that they fear outcomes that would expose flaws in their beliefs? 

   If an idea or philosophy is truly a good and workable one, it will stand up under any scrutiny.  

   Congratulations to the Trad movement. The boldness, sacrifice and resistance to criticism is inspiring.