politics

March 29, 2026

‘Serve, smile, procreate’: Yesteryear author Caro Claire Burke on the rise of the tradwife

As her dark debut about a tradwife who wakes up in the past is made into a film by Anne Hathaway, the novelist explores the sinister truth behind the barefoot influencers

‘Serve, smile, procreate’: Yesteryear author Caro Claire Burke on the rise of the tradwife

TL;DR

  • The term 'tradwife' originated in online incel forums, envisioning a wife who manages the home, bears children, and demands nothing in return.
  • Social media influencers like Hannah Neeleman and Nara Smith have popularized the 'tradwife' image, broadcasting seemingly idyllic home lives.
  • The author contrasts the 'tradwife' with 'The Handmaid's Tale,' arguing that while the Handmaid serves as a warning, the tradwife is a blueprint for oppression, designed for consent to submission.
  • The rise of the tradwife is linked to women leaving the workforce due to caregiving responsibilities, coinciding with stalled wage gaps and childcare crises.
  • The author posits that the tradwife is not a real person or trend, but an advertisement promoting service, silence, procreation, and purchasing.

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