“Tradwife” life is gaining popularity, a way of life some women follow that embraces “traditional” gender roles in family and life. You’ll typically see tradwives on social media doing the equivalent of what women were expected to do back in the 1950s — cook, clean, and raise the kids. One wife in Washington is proudly owning the title of being a “tradwife” on social media despite outrage from followers. Whatever makes you happy, right?
Maria West (@mariahelenexo on Instagram) calls herself a stay-at-home tradwife and songwriter. She’s got two kids and 20 acres of farm to roam. She sees her way of life as different by today’s standards. While her real estate working husband goes to work every day, Maria stays at home with the children and works around the house. Ultimately, she sees her way of life as different by today’s standards.
While Maria is tending to the home, she does so while wearing makeup and pretty clothing. Her reasoning? “I don’t want to look like one of the boys. Even in the chaos of motherhood, I want to feel soft, beautiful and grounded.” Even though others have called her ‘vain’ or questioned why she wants to live this way, Maria said she just likes to look and feel good while she’s caring for her family.
Maria believes women like her are unique. She said, “Culture tells women to fear getting left behind, to hustle, to choose independence over intimacy. My rebellion is building something with my husband and showing my children that motherhood is powerful, not passive.” Maria’s take is definitely not wrong, even if commenters have tried to drag her for her lifestyle.
It’s odd to frame the life of a tradwife as rebellion, but if raising kids is what you want, and your partner’s cool with that, then more power to you! What matters is you had the choice. People should be able to live by their own standards and how they see fit without judgment. If you like the daily hustle and want to balance motherhood, there’s success in that, too.
As one commenter said on a recent video of Maria’s, “Nothing wrong with either, happy for you but I also am happy with my partnership where we are equals and work together to provide a life for our family.” Any way that works for a family should be celebrated in its own way!
