Trad wife controversy explained: Dark side of the conservative TikTok ‘fantasy’ lifestyle

The peculiar social happening that is the rise of the ‘trad wife’ has led to huge debate online and in public. At its core, it is a retrofitted throwback to a simpler time, where wholesome family values and old-school gender roles ruled the roost. Why are women signing up to this divisive lifestyle trend? And how has this culture shock found itself entwined in right-wing politics? Ellen Coyne is joined by Aoife Barry, author of ‘Social Capital: Life Online in the Shadow of Ireland’s Tech Boom’, as they put the trad wife phenomenon under the microscope.

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