An obsession with traditional gender roles has been growing on TikTok. From slow-living homemakers to hyper-discipline gym guys, “trad wife” and “alpha male” influencers have taken over young people’s feeds. On one side, creators like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman (a.k.a. Ballerina Farm) share polished, dreamy content that romanticizes femininity, motherhood, and domestic life. On the other, male influencers—often podcasters like Joe Rogan, Logan Paul, and Theo Von—share content centered around dominance, strength, and traditional masculinity, sometimes doubling as self-help or confidence-building advice. These trends might seem like opposites, but both are rooted in idealized, old-school gender roles—with a modern twist, of course—and are, perhaps shockingly for those who have thought of Gen Z as gender fluid, influential. Young people aren’t just watching this content—they’re playing along. Whether following “bro wellness trends” or following a Martha Stewart-esque recipe, these trends are sparking conversations and imitations across social platforms. It may seem surprising, especially considering how it contrasts with previous trends in gender expression, which leaned far more towards...
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