A woman who posted a viral TikTok video about the “traditional wife” lifestyle is sparking a debate online about gender roles, feminism and equality.
Estee Williams, 26, started posting videos to her account in March 2022 and has amassed millions of views and approximately 170,000 followers on TikTok. She also publishes many clips on her YouTube where she discusses the benefits of being a housewife by trade.
Tradwife, a newly coined term meaning traditional wife, is a subculture of housewives who believe in clear gender roles, the importance of housework, and patriarchal marriage, according to many women who identify as tradwives.
According to the British website Darling Academy, a tradwife is a woman who respects femininity, takes care of her husband, children, and family, and values the state of the home more than a paycheck, but is not submissive. It is said that it is a thing.
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Estee Williams, 26, a proud trade wife from Richmond, Virginia, is taking her love of weight-focused bodybuilding and form-fitting activewear to her wedding in January 2023 and beyond. , she switched to less strenuous training and flowing dresses. (Estee Williams/TikTok/Screenshot)
In one video, which has been viewed 1.2 million times, Williams offered tips on how to be a traditional wife and told her followers to adopt “super traditional gender roles.”
“God designed the two genders for different purposes,” she said in the clip. “This is what I believe is the only box you have to fit into when becoming a traditional wife.”
“I serve my husband,” she said in another video.
She also said that women looking to embrace this lifestyle need to marry a faith-centered man who is healthy, protective, masculine, and understands the gender divide. Unfortunately, marrying the wrong man could lead to “abuse” of this blessing, she said.
Williams urged women to consider only those they seriously want to date and marry. Otherwise, they will waste their time and embrace the “awakened spirit”.
Another video says, “Why is Tradwife content suddenly exploding?” Williams said the trend is gaining popularity because modern culture is gradually trying to “blur” the distinction between men and women. She added that having two financiers in the household is becoming more common, and that an entire generation of women are experiencing “burnout” in their careers.
She also said that processed foods are causing women to seek out “from-scratch” recipes, and that basic housekeeping skills being taught to young girls has leapfrogged by a generation. Therefore, women are “hungry” to learn these skills.
Her videos have been met with both praise and condemnation from people on social media.
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Estee Williams is one of the many women who have embraced the tradwife lifestyle on and off social media. (Estee Williams/TikTok/Screenshot)
“I would love to not have to go out to work and be able to stay home and take care of my family. Sadly, in today's economy, that is not possible,” one user wrote.
Another account said that they fully support people choosing a traditional lifestyle if they wish, unless their partner allows them to take advantage of it.
“Both she and her husband seem to be happy with their relationship, so it's good for both of them,” said Christina Pushau, an aide to Gov. Ron DeSantis. I wrote a reply In one of Williams' videos.
“I don't think it's in any way 'traditional' to be an influencer and post videos online discussing your relationship for the world to see. I think so. I'm not saying it's bad, it's just not traditional,” she added.
Some suggested that the women were promoting their “fetishes” and creating fantasies to make a profit and promote their content. Some people said that housework should be shared between husband and wife.
“My husband and I equally share the role of providing a home and caring for each other. We make decisions together and share responsibilities. I never rely on Williams,” one user wrote. said in response to one of his videos.
Williams told Fox News Digital in 2023 that she was “mainly inspired by the way I was raised and wanted to be the opposite of what I grew up in.” She described her childhood and her upbringing as “hectic” due to her family's frequent moves.
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Estee Williams (left) and Hannalee Yoder (center) are two women who create TikTok video content in their spare time. Madison Dastrup (right) used to call herself a tradwife content creator, but she's now distanced herself from that term. (Estee Williams/Hannalee Yoder/Madison Dastrup)
Williams said her early desire to become a stay-at-home mom likely came from watching her mother struggle to balance work and childcare after her divorce.
“The short time I met my mom, it really hit home for me,” Williams said. “I just remember thinking, I don’t want this life.”
Before getting engaged to her husband Connor Williams, she dropped out of college and started nannying. She realized that they both longed for a traditional lifestyle.
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The couple currently lives in a three-bedroom, three-bathroom home in the suburbs. She makes videos about her life and daily routine, mostly about cooking and baking meals from scratch, cleaning and gardening, etc.
When she's not at home doing household chores, Williams can be found working out, figure skating, or putting on makeup. Her videos often evoke retro themes reminiscent of the 1950s.
“Honestly, I love this lifestyle. And I feel like I've always wanted it,” she said.
Williams did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
FOX News' Courtney D. Moore contributed to this report.
