A cultural shift towards more traditional values is evident in the West, particularly among conservative circles in the United States, according to commentator Annabel Fenwick Elliott. This trend is reflected in the popularity of "trad wife" influencers, such as Hannah Neeleman of the Instagram account Ballerina Farm, who has amassed over ten million followers and has eight children. Elliott suggests that the "Passport Bro" movement, where men reportedly reject "overbearing" Western women in favor of seeking traditional wives in Asia, is part of this broader societal re-evaluation.
Elliott, who identifies as a "trad wife" despite her past as a journalist, contends that the feminist agenda she was raised with—emphasizing career above all else and discouraging reliance on men—did not lead to a fulfilled life for many women. She describes her own early adulthood as characterized by a pursuit of a "liberated" existence involving extensive travel, relationships, and a career in journalism, which ultimately left her feeling nihilistic and with a drinking problem.
She recounts a personal turning point after meeting her husband in her mid-thirties and subsequently having children. Elliott states that she chose to build a life that allowed her to avoid early childhood nurseries, opting for freelance work from home and living in less expensive countries. While acknowledging her reliance on her husband for financial support, she distinguishes her current life from subservience.
Elliott posits that the concept of feminism itself has become ambiguous, with different interpretations among individuals. She believes women should have equal opportunities if they desire them but argues against the assumption that all women prefer careers over homemaking and raising children. She notes that many mothers she knows would rather be home with their young children than work, citing statistics from Gallup's annual Global Workplace Survey, which indicate low employee engagement across genders.
Elliott links the decline in birth rates across the Western world to these societal changes, suggesting it is a consequence of couples being forced into dual-income households and relying on external childcare. She observes online debates where "trad wives" are questioned about their financial security, with some "trad wives" retorting by highlighting the precariousness of women's employment.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Elliott expresses a preference for her current lifestyle over her previous one and hopes her daughter will choose a similar path. She indicates this shift by discarding most of her former wardrobe in favor of more traditional attire.
