Social media is home to many trends that we often see, whether they are left leaning or right. With the help of social media influencers, these trends gain popularity quickly, as does the pressure to adopt such trends. One trend that has gained much traction among conservative women is the “trad wife” trend. This is the idea that wives in conservative marriages ought to fully embrace the traditional role of a wife by leaving their careers to be a stay-at-home mom who cares for the home and the children while the husband is the sole provider.

There is nothing wrong with this way of living, and our current culture desperately needs the nuclear family. The problem is, how many conservative wives fit the description of a “trad wife”?

When we look at some of the top female influencers and politicians among the conservative movement, we see women such as Candace Owens, Kari Lake, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders. These women are not known as “trad wives,” but they are known for their booming careers and great accomplishments within their field of work. These women may be great mothers and wives, but we know they do not stay at home while their husbands are the sole providers of their home. These women more than likely also support a family’s decision to structure their family as the family sees fit. If the pressure to adopt the “trad wife” trend does not come from conservative influencers, where does it come from?

This pressure comes from social media, specifically mom groups. While the intent of mom groups is to embrace motherhood and offer support, mom groups on Facebook are known to be full of judgment, shaming, and bullying. Along with TikTok and Instagram, Facebook mom groups can at times make a conservative mother feel like a bad wife and mother if she has a career, sends her kids to public school, or chooses to hire a babysitter to help with childcare.

Being a stay-at-home mom or a “trad wife” is a blessing that often comes with sacrifices, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, a wife who chooses to manage the home and care for the children takes on a full-time job with no breaks, vacation days, or lucrative bonuses. The wives who choose to have a career or must have a career to make ends meet can still be good mothers and wives. Yes, it is hard to juggle a career and a family, and that is why these women should be respected.

Until our country takes on a pro-family stance, there will continue to be a mix of stay-at-home moms and career moms among our conservative spheres. Until then, it is important that conservative wives and mothers embrace each other and offer support rather than fall into trends that are not realistic for everyone. Trad wife or not, conservative wives still reject common culture because we chose marriage and chose life for our children.