Chris! WOW you deliver every time. I was laughing and loving the details you drop so casually on the way. The "polka-dot oven mitts, the kitten flip-flops and .. chihuahua named Deuteronomy!"
Well my tired mind didn't pick up on this. But I guess we think differently. And maybe that's part of the problem. Toying with trans people is so commonplace, that I guess I have blind spots. And that's all I see is the hurt and the damage. And so maybe that's my fault.
But I made room for the bearded man in a floral dress that likes to bake cakes. Because if that's what works for someone and it's not hurting anybody else, then they can go and do that.
Here is a little tidbit:
When I was a teenager I joined a class for cake decorating. It was at a department store that sold fancy clothes and was usually frequented by white women of good or upper income. It was an official Wilton cake decorating class.(And later when I was an adult, I was the assistant manager of that store's restaurant and bakery).
And so I went to the courses. Because I wanted to learn. Because I began baking with my mother when I was very young. But the women were not welcoming. They didn't want a teenage boy in their little club. Including the instructor. So after three or four visits I stopped going.
And that is why I make room for people. And that is why this country is not on the right track. And that is why the gender policing, and the sex roles, and the whole damn package is a turnoff right now.
And I'm not transgender cuz I like to bake cakes, wear perfume, or that fuchsia lipstick (which is my favorite shade by the way). It's not reduced to any of this.
Don't take this as a scolding. Don't take this as anything except a response that is genuine.
Be careful. Just with the Trans part. Yes it's in good fun. But the messaging can still be damaging somehow. And I'm not going to go into free fall here.
Otherwise I'm happy for you both. If that's what works for your hubby then so be it. I did worry about whether it mocks the actual homemaker, who is usually hardworking and someone I respect--and do not diminish or belittle that easily. Trad wife has become a catch-all for disrespecting women or those who do any housework and taking care of a family. As though these things are just going to magically get done somehow without homemakers. No matter who they are.
Yes there's the glitzy conservative fantasy of the trad wife. And then there's the rest of the women in America and in the history I know. All too well.
Ultimately people work out the chores and the responsibilities around the home. And I don't think we should assign gender or gender roles to these tasks. Whatever works for people. And sure, I understand that for many women and families it doesn't work. It's one-sided and lopsided.
But this is my wheelhouse. This is where I belong, and what I'm good at. I'm jealous. And so if your hubby likes this arrangement and the trappings of housewifery, then so be it.
I don't do cooking in frilly dresses and I never will. Housework is work. And when it's done I then take a shower. And I put the clothes on that I want to Lounge in.
Interesting though.
Great writing and story. And I hope he/she gets all the fancy spatulas, cake wheel, spring pans, pyrex, and whatever he/she needs. My dad always said: the right tool for the job at hand. You owe your dutiful spouse that much. She seems like a lovely woman.😄
Love your thoughtful commentary, Kenzie. Just making sure you know these are fictional characters, and this is satire targeting MAGA culture, not homemakers, of any kind. And if anything else… appropriating the supposed evangelical right concept of a tradwife and handing it on a properly polished silver platter to a cross dressing man who loves his wife and family and wants to look and act the part of homemaker. That is the goal. “Dan”transforms his hardcore MAGA wife in the process of taking good care of her. Will send links to other stories. Thanks for reading 🌝
Chris! WOW you deliver every time. I was laughing and loving the details you drop so casually on the way. The "polka-dot oven mitts, the kitten flip-flops and .. chihuahua named Deuteronomy!"
Dan and Belinda both got what they wanted all along. So happy for them both. The details and imagery here - perfect!
Well my tired mind didn't pick up on this. But I guess we think differently. And maybe that's part of the problem. Toying with trans people is so commonplace, that I guess I have blind spots. And that's all I see is the hurt and the damage. And so maybe that's my fault.
But I made room for the bearded man in a floral dress that likes to bake cakes. Because if that's what works for someone and it's not hurting anybody else, then they can go and do that.
Here is a little tidbit:
When I was a teenager I joined a class for cake decorating. It was at a department store that sold fancy clothes and was usually frequented by white women of good or upper income. It was an official Wilton cake decorating class.(And later when I was an adult, I was the assistant manager of that store's restaurant and bakery).
And so I went to the courses. Because I wanted to learn. Because I began baking with my mother when I was very young. But the women were not welcoming. They didn't want a teenage boy in their little club. Including the instructor. So after three or four visits I stopped going.
And that is why I make room for people. And that is why this country is not on the right track. And that is why the gender policing, and the sex roles, and the whole damn package is a turnoff right now.
And I'm not transgender cuz I like to bake cakes, wear perfume, or that fuchsia lipstick (which is my favorite shade by the way). It's not reduced to any of this.
Don't take this as a scolding. Don't take this as anything except a response that is genuine.
And that's all I'm going to say.
Thank you
I so appreciate your sharing this story and your thoughts. And I love that you make room for people and fuchsia lipstick. 🌝
Be careful. Just with the Trans part. Yes it's in good fun. But the messaging can still be damaging somehow. And I'm not going to go into free fall here.
Otherwise I'm happy for you both. If that's what works for your hubby then so be it. I did worry about whether it mocks the actual homemaker, who is usually hardworking and someone I respect--and do not diminish or belittle that easily. Trad wife has become a catch-all for disrespecting women or those who do any housework and taking care of a family. As though these things are just going to magically get done somehow without homemakers. No matter who they are.
Yes there's the glitzy conservative fantasy of the trad wife. And then there's the rest of the women in America and in the history I know. All too well.
Ultimately people work out the chores and the responsibilities around the home. And I don't think we should assign gender or gender roles to these tasks. Whatever works for people. And sure, I understand that for many women and families it doesn't work. It's one-sided and lopsided.
But this is my wheelhouse. This is where I belong, and what I'm good at. I'm jealous. And so if your hubby likes this arrangement and the trappings of housewifery, then so be it.
I don't do cooking in frilly dresses and I never will. Housework is work. And when it's done I then take a shower. And I put the clothes on that I want to Lounge in.
Interesting though.
Great writing and story. And I hope he/she gets all the fancy spatulas, cake wheel, spring pans, pyrex, and whatever he/she needs. My dad always said: the right tool for the job at hand. You owe your dutiful spouse that much. She seems like a lovely woman.😄
Love your thoughtful commentary, Kenzie. Just making sure you know these are fictional characters, and this is satire targeting MAGA culture, not homemakers, of any kind. And if anything else… appropriating the supposed evangelical right concept of a tradwife and handing it on a properly polished silver platter to a cross dressing man who loves his wife and family and wants to look and act the part of homemaker. That is the goal. “Dan”transforms his hardcore MAGA wife in the process of taking good care of her. Will send links to other stories. Thanks for reading 🌝