The Examined: Trad Wife Phenomenon – A Deep Dive into Social Media’s Latest Trend
In the ever-evolving social media landscape, a new trend has caught the attention of millions: the “traditional wife.” Short for traditional wife, this term has sparked both fascination and debate across digital platforms. But what exactly does it mean to be a traditional wife, and how do popular influencers like Hannah Neman of Ballerina Farm and Nara Smith fit into this narrative?
The traditional wife movement returns to conventional gender roles within marriage and family life. Women who embrace this lifestyle often prioritize homemaking and child-rearing over professional pursuits. They typically support their husbands as the primary breadwinners, cultivate a traditionally feminine appearance, and adhere to behaviors usually associated with conservative religious values. Essentially, the traditional wife phenomenon promotes a lifestyle reminiscent of pre-feminist movement ideals.
One of the most prominent figures in this space is Hannah Neman, the face behind the wildly popular Ballerina Farm accounts. With an impressive following of over 18 million across various platforms, Neman has captivated audiences with her portrayal of a traditional lifestyle. Her content showcases the art of homemaking, from scratch cooking, and raising a large family on a sprawling 328-acre Utah farm.
Neman’s lifestyle aligns with many aspects of the traditional wife archetype. She strongly emphasizes homemaking and caring for her eight children, often demonstrating traditional skills like baking bread from scratch. Her modest, feminine appearance is in keeping with Mormon religious values, further cementing her position within the conventional wife narrative.
However, it’s worth noting that Neman’s story could be more complex. While she embodies many traditional wife ideals, she has also transformed her lifestyle into a lucrative business venture. Additionally, her participation in beauty pageants stands at odds with typical traditional wife expectations, adding a layer of complexity to her public persona.
Another influencer often associated with the traditional wife movement is Nara Smith, a 22-year-old South African and German descent model based in Los Angeles. Smith has amassed a significant following, with 6.9 million TikTok followers listening to her elaborate recipe videos. Known for her commitment to making everything from scratch, often while impeccably dressed, Smith’s content has resonated with a broad audience.
Yet, labeling Smith as a traditional wife oversimplifies her narrative. While she exhibits some characteristics associated with the movement – such as focusing on home cooking and domestic life, marrying young, and having three children under three – her story is more nuanced. Smith maintains an active modeling career outside the home and has not explicitly promoted traditional wife ideology. Moreover, she has expressed uncertainty about her faith, indicating a less rigid adherence to the religious conservatism often associated with the conventional wife movement.
Interestingly, despite promoting traditional roles, accounts like Ballerina Farm and Nara Smith’s represent modern business ventures. These influencers have turned their lifestyle choices into profitable content creation careers, with estimates suggesting significant income potential for top trad wife content creators.
However, the rise of these influencers has been subject to controversy. Critics argue that their content promotes unrealistic standards and regressive gender roles. The popularity of Neman, Smith, and similar content creators has ignited debates about feminism, personal choice, and the glorification of traditional roles on social media platforms.
In essence, the phenomenon of Ballerina Farm, Nara Smith, and other traditional wife-adjacent influencers reflects a complex discourse surrounding gender roles, social media, and individual choice in contemporary society. While they may share specific characteristics with the conventional wife movement, their stories demonstrate that such labels often fail to capture the intricate realities of women’s lives and choices in the digital age.
As social media continues to evolve, so too will the conversation surrounding these influencers and the lifestyles they represent. Whether viewed as a return to tradition or a new form of digital entrepreneurship, the trad wife phenomenon and its most visible proponents continue to captivate audiences and spark meaningful discussions about the intersection of gender, technology, and personal identity in the modern world.
The rise of Ballerina Farm, Nara Smith, and similar influencers underscores a complex dialogue about gender roles, social media, and personal choice in our modern era. While they may share some traits with the traditional wife movement, their narratives highlight that labels often oversimplify the intricate realities of women’s lives and choices in today’s digital landscape.
