BTN News: In recent times, social media platforms have been flooded with portrayals of young women who brand themselves as “tradwives,” a term that signifies “traditional wives.” These influencers, predominantly from Generation Z and late Millennials, present themselves as women who stay at home, supported by their partners, and dedicate their time to cooking, cleaning, and other household chores. However, the reality behind these glossy images is far from the truth. These online personas are meticulously crafted and managed by agencies, transforming what appears to be domestic bliss into a lucrative career. One such figure in Spain is Roro, a 22-year-old who has amassed millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram by showcasing her supposedly traditional lifestyle. But beneath the surface, her perfectly curated content reveals the industrial machinery of modern influencer culture.
The real-life women who genuinely embody the role of stay-at-home wives and mothers do not have the luxury of time or resources to document and share their daily lives on Instagram or TikTok. They do not cook in immaculately clean kitchens, adorned with makeup and jewelry, nor do they make homemade butter and stock from scratch. These tasks are often impractical given the demands of their daily responsibilities. Instead, they opt for practical solutions like pre-packaged stock and manage their households without the glamorization seen online. In contrast, the tradwives seen on social media, like Roro, are part of a carefully orchestrated illusion designed to captivate and monetize an audience.
Roro’s rise to fame in Spain, managed by the agency Okiko Creatives, highlights the fabricated nature of these online personas. Her content, characterized by a childlike voice and a meticulously maintained aesthetic, is a product of extensive planning and production. Each video takes days to script, shoot, and edit, debunking the myth that these influencers effortlessly maintain their homes. Roro herself has admitted in interviews that her work is a full-time job, involving a significant budget and a production team. The pristine kitchens and elaborate meals she showcases are far removed from the realities of everyday domestic life.
The phenomenon of tradwives on social media is not just a harmless trend; it carries significant implications. These influencers project a fantasy of traditional domesticity that is economically profitable and appealing to certain audiences, particularly young men. This projection can be misleading and harmful if taken at face value. The content created by Roro and her counterparts is a far cry from genuine household management. It is a carefully crafted narrative designed to appeal to algorithms and consumer desires, ultimately serving commercial interests rather than authentic representation.
Roro’s content, and that of similar influencers, often centers around cooking, a symbolic element of the traditional wife persona. However, the elaborate dishes and detailed cooking processes they display are not practical representations of daily cooking. Instead, they serve as engaging, visually appealing content designed to attract viewers and sponsors. The extensive preparation, filming, and editing involved in creating these videos underscore the performative nature of their so-called traditional lifestyles.
The allure of these influencers lies in their ability to tap into nostalgic fantasies and cultural ideals of femininity and domesticity. Yet, the reality is that their online personas are highly commercialized and far removed from genuine domestic life. These tradwives are not promoting a return to traditional values but rather capitalizing on a marketable trend. Their success hinges on the illusion of effortless domesticity, which, in reality, is a well-oiled business operation.
While Roro and her peers might claim to represent traditional domestic roles, their lifestyles are anything but traditional. They are savvy content creators who understand the mechanics of social media and leverage their personas for financial gain. The polished and idealized images they project are designed to attract sponsorships and advertising deals, rather than provide an accurate depiction of stay-at-home life.
Critically, it’s essential to recognize that these influencers are not promoting a sustainable or realistic model of domesticity. Instead, they are participating in a commercial enterprise that exploits traditional stereotypes for profit. Their content, while seemingly harmless, can perpetuate unrealistic expectations and ideals, particularly among young audiences who might be influenced by these portrayals.
In conclusion, the tradwife phenomenon on social media is a complex interplay of nostalgia, commercialism, and digital savvy. Figures like Roro epitomize this trend, blending elements of traditional domestic roles with the realities of modern influencer culture. It is crucial for viewers to approach this content with a critical eye, understanding that behind the curated images and videos lies a sophisticated business model. The fantasy of effortless domesticity they promote is a carefully crafted illusion, far removed from the realities of genuine household management.
