A woman dresses like a 1950s housewife and says being a traditional stay-at-home mom is the best job she’s ever had, but she’s still a feminist.
Lisa Pontius, 35, of Charleston, South Carolina, loves being a stay-at-home mom to her three young children and is heavily influenced by the style of the ’50s and ’60s.
Lisa and her husband, Matthew, 40, are business owners with traditional gender roles at home, and Lisa loves her full-time job as a homemaker.
But she will proudly express her feminist views around the world and insist that people stop belittling domestic work in the home.
After being criticized for looking ‘grandmother’ with her vintage looks, and being told she wears ‘too old’ clothes, Lisa ignores the comments and regularly posts fashion videos to her followers.
Lisa Pontius, 35, of Charleston, South Carolina, pictured with son Levi, loves being a stay-at-home mom to her three young children
Lisa put on her old fashion while doing her chores around the house. She insists that being a full-time mother is just as valuable as a job that gets hers
Lisa explained: ‘I think the way I dress sets me apart from other moms my age, which is sometimes a good thing but it can also be bad. There’s always a way moms tend to dress, and I don’t dress that way.
I think it makes it difficult for people to approach me and make friends with other moms. I made a lot of friends through social media.
I’ve found people who know me for who I am and go through that road and not off the street and in the stadium.
“I like to think of myself as a modern feminist homemaker, I love what I’m doing now. I also loved being an entrepreneur before I had my kids, so it took me a while to settle into that role. It’s harder than people think, it knocks your identity down.”
I think women should not be made at home, but it is a job with certain requirements and not everyone can do it. However, it is my favorite job ever.
Lisa, who loves to wear vintage fashion, said other mums find it hard to relate to her and that she finds it easier to make friends online.
After giving birth to her son, Levi, and her two other children, Lisa gave up her career as an entrepreneur
Lisa put on her old fashion. She describes herself as an “old soul” who is always drawn to antiques and vintage clothes
Lisa during her morning routine. She said being a housewife is a full time job
Lisa is relaxing after finishing her chores. She said she believes in traditional gender roles, and says her family is successful because her husband goes to work and she runs the house
I believe that traditional gender roles and their division contribute to the success of the family. There is a need for domestic labor such as raising children, running a household is the work to be done and it is a full time job.
“The reason my husband and I do so well is the way we treat each other.
“I chose to be a traditional housewife and home maker and I believe I made the right choices for me — I also understand that this is not for everyone and women can make that decision for themselves and that is modern feminism.”
It’s important to be able to go out and get a paycheck and support your family financially, as well as all the other things that need to be done around the house. If the woman is also a financial contributor, the home work should be 50/50. The job you do at home is just as important as going out and getting your paycheck.
Lisa put on her old fashion. She said people complain that she looks like a grandmother, but she doesn’t get upset because she knows she can’t please everyone
Lisa said she was told she would look better if she wore less makeup, but she is determined to keep doing things her way.
Since becoming a parent, it has changed my view of everything.
Lisa has gotten some comments online telling her that she wears very vintage clothes and looks like Grandma, but she likes to be called “vintage”.
She added, “I was told that I look like a grandmother, but women, no matter what they wear, are criticized for the way they dress. I’m told I wear very old clothes when I’m too young, I’m criticized for the way I do my hair and makeup because it’s getting old, and I’m told I look better with less makeup.
“I think you just wear what you want and be comfortable. I tend to be more covered up compared to the current Gen Z trends and so people will say I look old but I don’t mind being vintage and chic.”
Social media pressures women to dress and look a certain way – people have always felt entitled to comment on women’s bodies, their styles and how they exist, it’s the internet’s version of calling cats.
I’ve had a fair amount of hate, which can be overwhelming, so reading messages is mentally tough, but I also know hate comments will be forgotten after a few days.
I’ve always been an old soul indoors, I’ve always loved antiques, old homes, and vintage jewelry. My grandmother will be my inspiration.
