The Politics of Today’s Traditional Womanhood: Empowerment or Oppression?

Researcher(s)

  • Gem Sobet, Political Science, University of Delaware

Faculty Mentor(s)

  • Alicia Fontnette, Africana Studies, University of Delaware

Abstract

The term “tradwife” rose to popularity in 2020, it would often be portrayed as a woman’s personal choice, or aesthetic online. During this time the U.S. was also facing many different social movements, racial injustice, and the presidential election which all played a huge part in the delivery of the terms use on social media. The timing of all of these movements and the rise of the tradwife trend on social media was not coincidental. Instead it was a reflection of the backlash and negative responses to the various progressive changes happening. The term is deeply connected to different conservative, white supremacist, and anti-feminist traditions. This research explores how women have historically reinforced these power structures. From similarities in organizations like the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage and the Women of the Ku Klux Klan. White women have long used the idea of domestic work and gender roles to protect their racial and class privileges while resisting more progressive and broader gender equality, trans rights, and reproductive rights. Using an intersectional feminist lens, we see how people of color have historically been excluded from this idea of femininity, revealing that traditional womanhood is not only about race, but also class. They have long been part of the labor force, while still maintaining their roles as mothers. This research will argue that these visions of “traditional” womanhood appear as a social movement to support and liberate women from oppressive societies. However, it is actually weaponized to resist progressive strategies and maintain these oppressive systems of power disguised as feminism.