Social media influencers like Nara Smith and Ballerina Farms reflect traditional domestic practices and aesthetics
By JENEVAH HARRISON — features@theaggie.org
The modern tradwife narrative has become popularized on social media platforms, showcasing women practicing traditional roles of mothers and homemakers. Popular influencers such as Nara Smith and Ballerina Farms are examples of this tradition and have inspired a generation of women to crave the simplicity of a lifestyle which celebrates traditional gender roles, according to some students.
Violet Ichel, a second-year design major, described what she has seen on social media.
“I’ve seen a lot of Instagram Reels of women cooking for their husbands, which seems normal; however, certain creators such as Nara Smith exaggerate this practice,” Ichel said. “Her appearance is sort of uncanny, in that it is almost too perfect.”
Some say this resurgence of a 1950s-style vision of womanhood represents a personal embrace of femininity, simplicity or family life. For others, it’s a troubling return to outdated norms. This romanticized view of traditional gender roles has stirred mixed reactions, particularly among younger feminists who see it as a pushback against hard-won strides toward gender equality.
One feminist-identifying student Melissa Caltacci, a second-year nutrition science major, said that it is extremely harmful to young girls who may not fully understand the implications of this narrative.
“When influencers like Nara Smith promote homemaking as the ultimate path for women, it subtly implies that other lifestyles are less fulfilling,” Caltacci said. “Young girls might start to think they’re less valuable if they don’t fit into this hyper-traditional mold. It’s not about homemaking being wrong; it’s about the pressure to conform to a single vision of what womanhood should be.”
The tradwife movement appeals to some as a refuge from the stress and burnout associated with modern life. Influencers like Ballerina Farms depict a serene, family-centered life in an idyllic rural setting away from the hustle of cities and careers.
“I understand why it’s alluring,” Anna Petruzzi, a second-year psychology major, said. “Everyone’s exhausted by societal pressures to succeed, so this alternative looks peaceful. But I wonder if it’s romanticizing a time when women didn’t have a choice but to stay home.”
Critics such as Petruzzi argue that the movement’s glorification of domesticity risks setting back decades of progress in gender equality. In their view, these images often ignore the harsh reality of the 1950s, when women faced limited choices, financial dependence and a lack of career opportunities.
For many critics, the tradwife trend reveals a deeper issue with how social media shapes identity and aspirations. By presenting a highly curated and aesthetically pleasing portrayal of domestic life, influencers like Smith and Ballerina Farms may be setting unrealistic standards. Rather than simply reflecting a lifestyle, the movement often promotes an idealized, filtered version of it that hides the mundane or difficult aspects.
“We see images of perfect, magazine-worthy homes, but the reality of domestic life isn’t always that pretty or fulfilling,” Caltacci said.
It’s also worth noting the economic reality behind many of these “tradwife” influencers, who have substantial means. They often exceed the average person’s financial means, portraying unrealistic and unattainable lifestyles.
Despite the criticism, some supporters argue that the tradwife movement isn’t about pushing all women to stay home but instead about giving women the option to choose homemaking without stigma.
For many women, returning to a simpler lifestyle is empowering in a world that often equates worth with career achievements. They argue that modern feminism should allow space for all women to make choices about their lives — whether that means pursuing a career, becoming a stay-at-home mother or finding a balance between the two.
Yet, the tradwife trend reveals how complex and divisive these issues remain. The choice to embrace traditional roles may feel liberating to some, but it’s also laden with implications and expectations that can shape younger generations’ perceptions of womanhood.
The tradwife movement underscores the diversity of the feminist conversation in modern society. While some find peace in a return to traditional gender roles, others feel it risks reviving outdated practices.
As social media continues to shape lifestyles and ideals, the debate over the tradwife narrative serves as a reminder of the power — and responsibility — influencers wield over their audiences. Whether for or against, there’s no denying that the movement has sparked meaningful conversations about gender, choice and the evolving definitions of freedom and femininity in the 21st century.
Written by: Jenevah Harrison — features@theaggie.org
