TRAD TRAP
I grew up with strict parents then became a trad wife at 19 – now I’m trying to date but I’m like a child myself
Watch the video to see Alice explain how difficult the transition has been
A YOUNG WOMAN who became a trad wife after finishing school has revealed how her life has left her with no real experience.
Alice, now 25, took to social media revealing how her strict upbringing and trad wife lifestyle meant she knew nothing about the world now.
2
2
Alice became a wife at the tender age of 19 and soon gave birth to her oldest son Fern.
A few years later she gave birth to her second son, but her marriage fell apart and she ended up leaving.
Now the single mum-of-two was left learning about life again - form how to date in the modern world to financially supporting her children.
The term 'trad wife' is short for traditional wife - meaning the practice of patriarchal sex roles within marriages.
READ MORE REAL LIFE STORIES
Mimicking relationships in the past, the husband acts as the main breadwinner in the family, whilst the wife stays at home to look after the children, clean and make the family's meals.
The lifestyle has been glamorised in recent months on Instagram and TikTok, as influencers share their lives as 'trad wives' with their followers, but, until now not many women from this community have shared the realities of what happens when things don't turn out as expected.
Alice, who share's two kids with her ex-husband, made a joke about her circumstances.
She wrote: "Me trying to distract him from the fact I have the life experience of an infant," as she danced in her kitchen.
Most read in Fabulous
"Wasn’t allowed to leave the house for anything other than school when I lived with my parents, then moved out to be a trad wife," she captioned the clip.
In another video, the mum revealed her lifestyle had meant she had no work experience to find a job for herself now she had separated from her partner and wasn't reliant on his income.
Breaking Free: A Trad Wife's Journey
Taking to social media, she said: "How to make up for six years of no job experience or education due to being a trad wife at 19."
Asked why she wasn't a fan of the lifestyle anymore, Alice says it makes it it difficult to get out of a bad relationship.
We are soo proud of you
TikTok User
Having zero financial independence from her spouse, Alice learned the tough reality of what happens to women in situations such as this, leaving her and their children vulnerable.
While she may not have traditional work experience, Alice has gained over 600k followers on social media.
What is a trad wife?
A trad wife (short for traditional wife) is a woman who chooses to take on an ultra traditional role in marriage, meaning she makes dinner and looks pretty whilst her husband goes to work.
The trend takes inspiration from the idea of a 1950s housewife.
Many 'trad wives' choose to dress in the style of clothing popular in this period (think floral dresses and frumpy cardigans).
Additionally, the values considered important to trad wives are similar to strict Christian values.
Trad wives believed they were not forced into this way of life, and that it was their purpose to be homemakers.
The trend, which has garnered attention on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, glamorises a time gone by with little acknowledgement of the economic challenges facing families and mothers today.
The clip posted to her account @has since gone viral with over 500k views and 29k likes.
People were quick to remind Alice she had plenty to offer and had more life experience than she realised.
One person wrote: "It’s not your fault babes. You’ll learn and grown. It’s hard getting on our feet from terrible relationships and learning who we are but you’re doing great!"
Another commented: "Now is the time to LIVE!"
"What do u meannn!!! You are a MOTHER. That’s the most challenging thing ever omg your amazing I love u so much," penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: "And yet you're doing so well. We are soo proud of you."
"You are so gorgeous!! I’m so happy to see you absolutely thriving,” claimed a fifth.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Someone else added: “Lol same...it's rough ngl."
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: [email protected] and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.
Topics