How should Christians view the “traditional wife” trend?

Estee Williams, a 25-year-old traditional wife and TikTok star who inspires women on how to cook, clean and stay beautiful for their husbands, said, “A traditional wife is to obey her husband and serve her family. This concept does not demean him. , nor being viewed as less worthy than he is. This is more common among traditional Christians.” Many of her recent videos share how to find a manly man and serve as a guide for those who question and desire to know more about her High school girls who live an “old school” lifestyle offer advice.

@esteecwilliams What it means to be a Tradwife. #fyp #tradwife #homemaking #housewife #traditional #tradwifecontroversy #womenschoice ♬ Instrumental – Gerhard Siagian

While the concept continues to grow and gain momentum on nearly every social media platform, it is clear that younger generations of women are looking for men who can lead, provide, and protect them (Ephesians 5:25-33 ). However, the sport has not been without its share of controversy, even among faith circles.

How do we respond biblically to this traditional wife movement?

The traditional, simple, ancient way of life is nothing new. After all, it’s the cycle of life in which families pass on traditions to their children. Children often inherit some of these customs and then part ways with others, perhaps starting something new. This is where we see old-fashioned morality and new terms like “traditional wife” come into play.

However, these definitions of self-control do not equate to the biblical housewife described in Proverbs 31 or Titus 2. Traditional housewives focus on certain biblical perspectives and completely ignore others. While God’s Word identifies different gender roles, we are all called to submit first to Christ (James 4:7) and then to each other in marriage (Ephesians 5:21).

While traditional wives focus on appearance and the authority of their husbands, biblical women encourage marriages rooted in faith and glorifying God together. Marriage is a form of slavery, the husband is called to love his wife as Christ loved the church; the wife is called to submit to her husband so that he can lead with confidence. Love, respect, and honor one another (Ephesians 5:21-33).

The woman in Proverbs 31 seeks the heart of God (Mark 12:30), embraces her role as mother and wife, cares about her feminine beauty (1 Peter 3:3-4), and is a joyful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) ), serve with a kind heart, walk with purpose, and seek God’s will and the path of her life. This may mean working from home or outside.

Titus II is usually an older (wiser) woman who is portrayed as a role model and mentor to young ladies, training them to trust God and act obediently. They share the true meaning behind submission, which is walking with dignity and grace, honoring God’s design for marriage, and encouraging young wives to serve and love their husbands and families with compassion.

Like any cultural trend, we need to be careful not to be swept away by all its seductive and obsessive influences and choose to seek God’s will and the path of our lives by digging into His Word and seeking truth. The beauty of God’s Word is that it never changes (Psalm 119:89, Isaiah 40:8, Malachi 3:6). In an ever-evolving world, His Word remains consistent. We can count on it – it’s a promise!

Image source: ©Getty Images/Alexandra Girard
Video provided by: esteecwilliams via TikTok

Alicia Sayre is a devoted writer, blogger, and speaker who is passionate about pouring her heart out and leading women of all ages back to Jesus. She has a background in education and a master’s degree in literacy. Her favorite person calls her mom, which is why she spends most of her time cheering them on at softball games or dance classes. She’s married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blonde) who can make a terrible latte. She writes her heart out on paper while sipping her delicious treat, while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.