No substitute for marriage
October 2, 2024
The coronavirus killed the girlboss. Long live … the stay-at-home girlfriend?
Tradwives, stay-at-home moms, and aspirations of a “very mindful, very demure” lifestyle have risen to the cultural forefront again. “Athleisure” and an appreciation for the little things of life—baking bread, hosting friends, and self-care—now challenge rigid pantsuits and demanding corporate careers. But Generation Z (born 1997–2012) has also introduced another trend that isn’t nearly as promising: the stay-at-home girlfriend. It may imitate a certain tradition, but it undermines the most universal institution—marriage.
The traditional stay-at-home wife is increasingly seen as an unattainable luxury suited only for the upper class. By combining cohabitation with leisure, the stay-at-home girlfriend is a cheap parody of that perceived luxury. As a recent Wall Street Journal article describes it, a typical SAHG begins her day “at 8 a.m., [when] she makes the bed and cooks pancakes for her boyfriend before he goes to work. After a green juice, it’s time for self care: a private Pilates reformer session and microcurrent facial.” The remainder of her day includes cute outings with friends, long walks, podcasts, and, of course, “time to get ready for date night.” For someone like me, who will soon have two girls 2 and under, the SAHG’s daily life sounds like a dream vacation.
