This month let's explore the trad wife influencer phenomenon, ponder what came before American Evangelicalism, and question how we use our imagination.
"Most likely we think we are looking for simpler times, but my gut tells me that we are actually longing for Eden."
You've hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately many so-called christians believe that the world began in the 1950s. What many don't realize is that nothing is new under the sun and every generation has lived in the cycle of brokenness. And this vision of the trad-wife is nothing but TV-generated fantasy.
My mother lived the rural traditional life decades before social media. She used to sew little pioneer-type outfits (late 70s style!) for her children. Her 'traditional' activities such as sewing, canning, baking, gardening, and keeping goats and chickens for eggs and milk were to help supplement a low income. Apparently, when we were very small, acquaintances from the city would come out to visit to see our 'traditional' lifestyle and gush over how cute it was. Audience nostalgia over that non-existent past is no doubt a driving factor for the current social media trend.
For sure, and I love your point about the two being mutually exclusive in real life. I want people to be free to live whatever lifestyle they want, but I’m quite concerned about the creation of a fantasy “good old days” that never existed. You nailed it when you said we are starved for meaning and beauty. 😭
I haven’t read it but it sounds terrible. 😬 It kind of reminds me of “Stepping Heavenward” a terrible Victorian evangelical novel that should never have been republished but was and was celebrated among my cult women. It basically was a story of domestic abuse and a long suffering Christian woman who continued to submit to it even when her health failed and she finally died. It was awful!! And yet also presented as ideal Christian womanhood. 😭
I remember Stepping Heavenward. Could never finish it, it was so dreary. Bleak House on the other hand is a favourite, it is such a complex novel with so many characters and themes. Esther Summerson is quite a complex character and you are by no means sure that you are meant to approve of her sweet submissiveness.
Well that’s good. Stepping Heavenward is a terrible book. 😬 But right? Crazy how our imagination and fascination with all things Victorian has influenced our marriage advice in the 21st century!
"Most likely we think we are looking for simpler times, but my gut tells me that we are actually longing for Eden."
You've hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately many so-called christians believe that the world began in the 1950s. What many don't realize is that nothing is new under the sun and every generation has lived in the cycle of brokenness. And this vision of the trad-wife is nothing but TV-generated fantasy.
This is so true.
My mother lived the rural traditional life decades before social media. She used to sew little pioneer-type outfits (late 70s style!) for her children. Her 'traditional' activities such as sewing, canning, baking, gardening, and keeping goats and chickens for eggs and milk were to help supplement a low income. Apparently, when we were very small, acquaintances from the city would come out to visit to see our 'traditional' lifestyle and gush over how cute it was. Audience nostalgia over that non-existent past is no doubt a driving factor for the current social media trend.
Interesting…so fascinating to see how a fascination with a fantasy past has been around for a while!
For sure, and I love your point about the two being mutually exclusive in real life. I want people to be free to live whatever lifestyle they want, but I’m quite concerned about the creation of a fantasy “good old days” that never existed. You nailed it when you said we are starved for meaning and beauty. 😭
I haven’t read it but it sounds terrible. 😬 It kind of reminds me of “Stepping Heavenward” a terrible Victorian evangelical novel that should never have been republished but was and was celebrated among my cult women. It basically was a story of domestic abuse and a long suffering Christian woman who continued to submit to it even when her health failed and she finally died. It was awful!! And yet also presented as ideal Christian womanhood. 😭
I remember Stepping Heavenward. Could never finish it, it was so dreary. Bleak House on the other hand is a favourite, it is such a complex novel with so many characters and themes. Esther Summerson is quite a complex character and you are by no means sure that you are meant to approve of her sweet submissiveness.
Love hearing your thoughts on Bleak House. I’ll have to try it.
Well that’s good. Stepping Heavenward is a terrible book. 😬 But right? Crazy how our imagination and fascination with all things Victorian has influenced our marriage advice in the 21st century!