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What is a tradwife?

A tradwife is just short for "traditional wife," meaning that a woman falls into the more stereotypical or traditional roles for women in society — think cooking, cleaning, domestication, or homemaking. None of these acts are inherently negative or punitive for a tradwife, but simply the way they live their lives and lean into those traditional roles.

Is this attainable for most women?

Dr. Charlynn Ruan, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the founder of Thrive Psychology Group, explains that it's not harmful for a woman to choose to be a homemaker "as long as she is in an arrangement that protects her financially and otherwise." For most women, however, this lifestyle is solely dependent on your partner. You cannot work a full-time job, raise your children, be a wife, and cook completely from scratch every single day. Even the recent Sunday Times article featuring Ballerina Farm suggests that she would lay in bed for weeks from exhaustion trying to keep with this lifestyle.

Given how dependent this lifestyle ultimately is, Dr. Charlynn recommends that you have an arrangement in place that protects you from solely relying on your partner to take care of you financially. She says that her concern is that women aren't seeing the long term consequences of the “tradwife” role and are instead inextricably linking one’s financial stability and wellbeing with one’s relationship. This has, historically, not often worked out well for women.

Can the tradwife lifestyle be harmful?

While the tradwife trend may seem fun to consume, it could potentially have longterm mental health effects that we have yet to see. I talked to licensed mental health professional, Natalie Rosado, to ask what implications this may have and she said it affects these spheres of womanhood:

• Autonomy: These women are portraying a deflection of self, instead focusing on the servitude of their family. Which can be an incredible gift, and joy for many, but the content is primarily focused on the servitude of others, thus communicating the message that autonomy/independence as a woman doesn't matter.
• Unrealistic Expectations: Rosado says that this new fad is enchanting to look at but is subconsciously romanticizing an unrealistic expectation of motherhood and family roles. She said that this could be detrimental to mental health because it can create immense pressure on women to live up to these standards, leading to feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and low self-esteem when they inevitably fall short.
• Mental Health Risks: Women have increasingly high expectations put on them by so many people: society, their families, their husbands, their kids, other women. So this is just creating another layer of expectations for them to meet, which, however unrealistic, will make women guilty that they are not meeting these standards.
• Perpetuation of Gender Stereotypes: Rosado says that this aesthetic reinforces outdated gender stereotypes, which can hinder any progress we may have made toward gender equality. She says that this perpetuation suggests a woman's primary value lies in only her domestic abilities. This way of thinking can be incredibly damaging to her sense of worth and potential.

Who is Nara Smith?

Nara Smith was essentially deemed the mom of the tradwife trend, based on her Tiktok claim to fame for creating outlandishly fresh, "from scratch" meals in full glam and a gown at six in the morning. Smith is only 23 years old, but is already a mom to three children, stepmom to another child, wife, model, content creator, and homemaker. Her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, is also a Tumblr "It Boy" turned model. They married each other quite young, and immediately started having children to start a family. The two now live in Texas, but previously lived in L.A. and Germany (where Nara's family is from).

Smith started off with rather simple recipes like easy Mediterranean dishes, but the more followers she gained, the progressively more difficult she made her dinners and the more elaborate gowns she wore. It became clear that she was going to play into this "tradwife" culture as much as possible.

Why does she live this lifestyle?

While I've come to enjoy this content, it can definitely be bit jarring when it's noon on a Sunday and I still haven't cooked breakfast — and definitely not from scratch. And although Smith may have multiple nannies or family members watching her kids while she films all of this, her content becomes much more relatable when you realize that it stems from her having debilitating eczema that is caused by what she eats so she cooks from scratch to prevent that. So although Smith's recipes have gotten more and more elaborate and untouchable, it takes a sweeter tone when you realize that she's cooking from scratch in order to give her and her family a healthy lifestyle that doesn't cause her skin to flair up.

I know from experience, having eczema myself, some of the products in America can be particularly unhealthy and modified so it makes complete sense that she would want to protect herself — and her skin — from that. Especially since, her parents are from South Africa and Germany, where the food is a bit more healthy and less processed.

Is there a positive impact when it comes to tradwives?

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While this trend has its implications, there are many who say that — like any fad on social media — it has to be taken with a grain of salt. You have to view it as fiction, because that's partly what it is. There aren't many average people who have the ability and resources to wake up before a 9-5 to make three meals from scratch in a full face of makeup and dress — it's simply unrealistic.

So, if you take tradwife videos as fiction — like most reality shows — then you're able to take a step back and enjoy it for what it is: content and inspiration. In the case of Smith, she's a stunningly gorgeous woman with a sweet family and a penchant for recreating complicated and elaborate meals. You can either ignore it, or enjoy it! I can definitely say that I decided to make a few of Smith's recipes myself...they were failures, but I still tried!

The point is, this content can be fun! And as someone who's watched far more videos than I'd like to admit, I've definitely seen a ton of moments that are so outlandish and entertaining that I have to wonder if Smith is trolling us. So, I present to you five moments where Nara Smith went so tradwife that I'm not sure what's real and what's fake.

Nara Smith Makes Her Own Cheese

@naraazizasmith absolute perfection 🫶🏽 #easyrecipe#homemade#baking#toddlersoftiktok#grilledcheese#fypシ♬ Me Cry - NGOTUAN NGUYX

One of the first times I came across Nara Smith was when she made grilled cheese. I remember thinking, "Oh that's great that she makes her own bread — how cute." Then she began to curdle and cook her own cheese, and I was fascinated immediately. This isn't your average home-cooked meal, this is a tradwife home-cooked meal. With fresh baked bread and cheese for her toddlers upon request.

Nara Cooks A Mediterranean Meal In A Gown

@naraazizasmith family dinners 🥺 #easyrecipe#homecooking#fypツ#mediterranean#dinnerideas♬ Just Give Me One More Day - Alej

This next video came on my FYP, and I realized that she has to be playing into this narrative that people have created of her: the picture perfect "tradwife." And it's smart! In fact, it's a genius marketing tactic. People are already talking about how crazy she is for getting glammed up to cook from scratch, so why not make it even crazier? Honestly, I love it. The more unattainable it is, the less guilty I feel for not being able to cook at all most days. The more the lore intertwines with reality, the more digestible it becomes.

Nara Smith Cooks Crepe In Chanel

@naraazizasmith Oh my… what do you like on your crepes or pancakes?🫶🏽 #easyrecipe#homecooking#dessert#fypツ#crepes#marriage♬ La vie en rose (Cover Edith Piaf) - 田东昱

Only Nara Smith could make home-made Nutella and crepes in a full Chanel Ready-To-Wear outfit that costs upwards of $20,000. In this video, she makes her own home-made Nutella with hazelnuts that she roasted and cooked herself. Then she proceeds to make the crepe from scratch as well. Let's hope she didn't leave a scratch on her Chanel outfit, because that's an expensive mistake. But then again, with her over 9 million followers, she can probably afford it!

Nara Smith Makes Home-Made Bubblegum

@naraazizasmith this was fun! What’s your favorite roadtrip snack? #easyrecipes#homecooking#fypツ#candy#bubblegum♬ Just Give Me One More Day - Alej

In typical Nara Smith fashion, she makes her own bubblegum! I didn't even know this was possible (a phrase I constantly utter when watching her videos), but it's fun to think about doing. It seems relatively easy, and I'd imagine it's quite yummy! This is an unhinged moment that people have been loving to recreate! BRB, adding the ingredients to my cart right now...

Lucky Smith Makes Sunscreen

@naraazizasmith 🤍 #fypツ#easyrecipe#sun#fromscratch#skincare#marriage♬ Just Give Me One More Day - Alej

In this incredibly unhinged moment, Nara has her husband make sunscreen from scratch... that's right. Sunscreen. While this may be fun to watch, dermatologists have come out to say how very dangerous and irresponsible this is to do yourself. This video has to be one of her most unhinged and controversial videos, which occurred after she made her own toothpaste in a separate video. Let's keep to the FDA approved ones for now, folks!

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

Easy mixed drinks should be as quick as they are, well, easy. This grapefruit margarita has a spicy twist thanks to cayenne pepper, but all it takes is just a pinch! The last thing you want to do is burn your tastebuds as you're sipping this cool summer drink! (Via The Edgy Veg)

Blackberry Tequila Lemon Cooler

According to Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest, this cocktail is "...the easiest to mix up." It's pretty to look at and it's taste will leave you wanting more. You'll need blackberries, thyme leaves, silver tequila, Florida's Natural Brand Lemonade, and sparkling water as a topper!

The best part is that it only takes 5 minutes to make! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Pineapple Cucumber Gin

Sipping gin doesn't have to be boring or colorless. Actually, we like to think it makes for the perfect companion to one of the backyard barbecues you'll no doubt be invited to. The pineapple and cucumber flavors will offset each other, making it one of the easy mixed drinks you don't mind making all summer. (Via Mixop)

Malibu Sunset Cocktail

Dreaming of spending time watching the sun set in Malibu? Taste the next best thing with this summer cocktail! In just 2 minutes you'll be sipping on pineapple-orange juice, Malibu coconut rum, and drizzled grenadine. (Via Averie Cooks)

Empress Gin French 75 Cocktail

You've never seen the French 75 Cocktail like this before! This pretty drink is made of Empress 1908 Gin, lemon juice, simply syrup, and prosecco.

In case you're curious, the Empress 1908 gin is what makes this French 75 Cocktail the pastel lilac drink we'll gladly share on Instagram! (Via Barley and Sage)

Cranberry-Orange Gin Smash

Cranberries are known for being a little on the tart side, but their flavor will be balanced by the sweet, citrusy taste of oranges! Add in Grand Marnier, simple syrup, and rosemary leaves, and you've got yourself a lovely gin smash that even your parents won't be able to get enough of. (Via Vanilla And Bean)

Blue Mojito

We know a classic mojito when we see one, but this blue curaçao version will remind you of the tropical vacation you'll be going on soon. It takes around 7 minutes to blend to perfection, but it's worth every ounce of prep work! (Via Crowded Kitchen)

Lemon Lime Margarita

Easy mixed drinks can look as complicated as they want or simple like this juicy lemon lime margarita! It reminds us of the an adult lemonade, which makes summer get togethers even more fun. (Via Cozy Cravings)

Honeydew Tequila Sour

Make honeydew tequila sour cocktails for the sleepover you plan to host with your closest friends! You'll need a honeydew melon, blanco tequila, melon liqueur, fresh lime juice, agave, honeydew puree, and a large egg white to make this pretty lime drink. (Via Butternut Bakery Blog)

Watermelon Agua Fresca

No doubt someone in your circle has a thing for watermelon so make them this aqua fresca cocktail. Featuring Tito's Handmake Vokda, lime juice, watermelon agua fresca, and mint for garnish, you'll enjoy tasting this smooth drink. (Via Watermelon Agua Fresca)

Pimm's Recipe

Make this cool summer cocktail when you want to taste something that reminds you of something our ladies on Bridgerton would gladly sip. It's hailed as a nod to British summers and is made up Pimm's No 1, lemonade, elderflower liqueur, strawberries, and more! (Via Vikalinka)

Tangerine Sorbet Champagne Floats

Celebrating your best friend's birthday? Make these festive tangerine sorbet champagne floats! All you need is fresh tangerine juice, sparkling wine, granulated sugar, and sparking wine to top everything off! It's one of the easy mixed drinks that doesn't require a lot, but still tastes amazing. (Via Completely Delicious)

Grapefruit Ginger Beer Mocktail

If you're planning to stay away from alcohol this summer, you can make this easy grapefruit ginger beer mocktail! It's equally sweet and tart, making it the perfect drink to toss back in the morning. (Via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Summer Orange Spritz

Still craving an adult citrus drink? Make this tasty summer orange spritz! You'll need a Meyer lemon, Navel orange, maple syrup, kosher salt, and club soda to make this healthy mocktail. (Via Munching with Mariyah)

Keiko Agena has a complicated relationship with 'Gilmore Girls' character Lane Kim.

“I think what [the role] was for people was different than what it was for me,” she tells Juliet Litman on an episode of the Dear Felicity rewatch podcast (via People). “In a weird way, I feel like I want to honor the experience that people had from the show, and what it meant to them, especially young Asian people, because I get that comment a lot, about what it was like for them to see someone like that on screen.”

And it's no surprise that as much as Gilmore Girls viewers love Lane, Keiko "[loves] her too. I can tell, when I meet someone who knows Gilmore Girls or who loves Lane, it's like, I recognize that love. I see that you love that person."

But it's possible to hold two conflicting emotions at the same time, and although Lane Kim was an incredibly special role at the time, there are some things Keiko would do differently today. “The best thing is to have a Korean American writer [and a] Korean American actor,” she says. “I don't think that that role, cast that way, would happen today. But at that time, in 2000, it was such a different time that I definitely know I wouldn't have said no or pulled myself out of that situation at that time...Now it's just a mix of just having gratitude for having gone through that experience and having that experience.”

Keiko Agena also keeps in touch with two very special 'Gilmore Girls' costars!

And one aspect of Gilmore Girls that Keiko Agena is thankful for is her relationship with the Gilmore Girls cast! And there are two costars in particular she frequently keeps in contact with: John Cabrera (who played Brian) and Sean Gunn (who starred as Kirk).

“There is this kind of lovely nostalgia for that time, and yet also we have years since then,” she says. “I [have] gone to both of their weddings. Our friendship is part Gilmore Girls and appreciation for that crazy time, and then part just like a million other things that are just like friends.”

I was totally surprised to learn she keeps in contact with John and Sean (supposedly) more regularly than Alexis Bledel, but it makes sense when you remember Keiko, John, and Sean are all around the same age — and Alexis is 7 years younger. Hopefully we get another Gilmore Girls reunion to see our favorite television BFF's reunite!