Parents furious after South Australian high school students asked to debate the controversial ‘Trad Wife’ movement

Students are being asked to debate whether a controversial gender role movement is good for women with parents slamming the decision amid the Andrew Tate effect.

An Australian state’s peak body for school debating has come under fire after setting a controversial topic about the “Trad Wife” movement.

Debating SA sparked outrage online after it encouraged Year 9 students to debate both sides of the argument – “The ‘Trad Wife’ movement is good for women.”

Children from across the state will debate the topic next week as a part of the third round of the inter-school competition, which is open for students at government, catholic and independent schools.

Year 9 students are being asked to debate whether the “trad wife” movement is good for women. Source: Debating SA

The “Tradwife” movement refers to the resurgence of traditional gender roles within a marriage, where a woman embraces tasks such as housekeeping, raising children and cooking.

The polarising trend has gained traction on social media, with some influencers gaining millions of views for their portrayal of the stereotypical husband and wife relationship.

The movement has also been associated with anti-feminist ideologies, which have gained traction on social media from controversial UK influencer Andrew Tate.

Some parents fear the topic could perpetuate stereotypes being put forward by controversial influencer Andrew Tate. Picture: Daniel Mihailescu

Parents have been quick to slam the decision online, labelling it “misogynistic”, “horrific” and “tone deaf”.

“Fourteen and 15-year-olds girls and boys are being asked to argue that this is good for women, that women being subjugated is good,” the parent said.

“I do not understand how, in this day and age, this can be considered an appropriate topic for girls and boys to have to argue for.

“Schools are already struggling with dealing with Andrew Tate style messages and behaviour in schools.

“Now it’s being helped by an organisation that’s supposed to promote critical thinking.”

The not-for-profit organisation, which has been leading debates in SA for 30 years, defended the decision on social media.

Debating SA clarified to schools the topic would focus on “stay-at-home parents”.

“The ability to think, to question, to reason and to challenge ideas in a civilised, respectful and disciplined manner is needed more than ever, as our society is constantly re-evaluating its structures, its processes and sometimes even its own values.” the statement read.

“Debating SA is wholeheartedly committed to the development of critical and analytical thinking skills in students, encouraging free speech and the free exchange of ideas.

“Debating topics are intentionally crafted to challenge students to think critically, reason logically and engage with a wide range of perspectives on complex issues.”

Debating SA has closed comments on the social media post, but clarified to schools the topic would focus on “stay-at-home mothers” rather than women who are submissive to their partners.

Social media influencers Estee Williams and Nara Smith who have been labelled as “tradwives”. Picture: Estee Williams/TikTok (left), Nara Smith/Instagram

Chairwoman Sonja Lowen said Debating SA regularly set topics that were “challenging”, “interesting” and were not discussed at schools.

“It’s good for them to have a discussion about this topic – it’s as simple as that,” chairwoman Sonja Lowen said.

“We have never had any student stand up in 30 years and say anything inappropriate or rude.

“Our students seem to be able to analyse the topic better than some adults that have got upset.”

When asked which topics were off limits for children, she said “abortion” due to the fact catholic students regularly competed in the debates.

The Education Department has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Parents furious after South Australian high school students asked to debate the controversial ‘Trad Wife’ movement