The Know Daily - Tuesday 27 May 2025

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Ever wondered what policy might look like if animals had a say? A group called Animals in the Room is making it happen – giving nature legal protection and bringing in experts to speak up for everyone from wild boars to cows. It’s all about designing decisions with animals in mind, not just around them (no, there’s no squirrel with a seat in parliament… yet).

👒 Tradwives: why is this retro role making a viral comeback?

Once a relic of the 1950s, the “tradwife” is having a very online revival. But is this a problematic throwback or just girlbossing in disguise?

Hold up, what does “tradwife” even mean?
Short for “traditional wife,” the term refers to women who embrace a very specific ideal: staying at home, looking after the house, cooking meals from scratch, raising children, and (this bit’s important) submitting to their husbands. It’s domesticity dialled up – think vintage aprons, sourdough starters, and videos about folding laundry as a spiritual practice. The tradwife aesthetic overlaps with online trends like cottagecore, “soft girl” vibes, and ultra-femininity but leans heavily on old-school gender roles. 

Who’s been signing up for this?
The tradwife trend has flourished on TikTok, where creators share homemaking routines, modest fashion, and reflections on traditional roles in modern life. In the UK, Alena Kate Pettitt of The Darling Academy writes about finding purpose in domestic life, not loss of autonomy. Elsewhere, figures like Estee Williams post retro-inspired content about family and femininity, while ultra-aesthetic creators like Hannah Neeleman and Nara Smith have helped bring back a glossy, aspirational version of domesticity. 

So, could this actually be… empowering?
Here’s the twist: some see tradwifery as the ultimate power move. These women argue they’ve opted out of the rat race, not been excluded from it. They frame their domestic roles not as submission, but as control of their time, homes, and family life. Many create content, monetise their lifestyle, build personal brands, and manage entire online platforms from the kitchen table.

But couldn’t this still be kind of problematic?
It depends who you ask. Critics argue that the tradwife trend romanticises a version of the past that was unequal and exclusionary. It often glosses over the fact that not every woman could afford to stay home in the 1950s – and many still can’t now. There's also concern about how this lifestyle is sometimes linked to more overtly political movements. 

The bottom line.
The rise of the tradwife reflects a growing sense of burnout. For many women, modern life feels stretched thin between demanding jobs, rising childcare costs, and the ongoing pressure to do and be everything at once. In this context, the tradwife lifestyle offers something different: a slower, more defined way of living that promises clarity, purpose, and control within the home. To some, that feels like liberation. But the picture is complicated. How empowering it truly is depends on whether it’s a genuine choice – and who is left out of that ideal.

🇪🇺 Consumer protection: The EU has given fast-fashion platform Shein one month to address allegations of misleading sales tactics.

• The bigger story: The European Commission has identified several practices on Shein's platform that may violate EU consumer laws, including displaying fictitious price reductions, creating false urgency through countdown timers and providing deceptive sustainability claims. Shein has stated its commitment to cooperating with the investigation and ensuring compliance with EU regulations.

🤖 Rapid robots: Researchers have developed 3D-printed soft robots capable of walking, marking a significant step forward in robotics and manufacturing.

🇨🇦 Sovereignty spotlight: King Charles III's first visit to Canada has underscored the country’s constitutional ties to the monarchy amid recent discussions about national sovereignty and identity.

🏃‍♀️ Running renaissance: Gen Z is fuelling a new boom in running with over 1.1 million entries for the 2026 London Marathon ballot, double that of two years ago.

⚽️ Arsenal’s achievement: The team celebrated their UEFA Champions League victory with over 10k fans at the Emirates Stadium, highlighting a milestone in women's football.

🌶️ Spicy sips: TikTok's latest trend sees wine lovers adding jalapeños to their Sauvignon Blanc, creating a "spicy sauvy b" that's both refreshing and fiery. Pass the chilli peppers!

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: Navigating friendships as an adult, a ‘melting’ house at Clerkenwell Design Week and the UK’s youngest mayor.

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Trivia answer: B) Charli XCX was honoured at the Ivor Novello Awards in London.

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