When Emma was ten years old, her father died of cancer. A loss like that often leaves not only a deep emotional void but can also trigger a financial crisis—especially if the family relies too heavily on the husband’s income. But as we scroll through our feeds on Instagram and TikTok, we encounter more and more “soft life” vibes and “tradwife” content. How does this content influence our view of our independence? And do these trends romanticize women’s financial dependence, blurring the line between everyday life and aesthetics?

As part of the TINCON program.