Understanding the Soft Girl Lifestyle
In a nation known globally for its progressive gender policies, a surprising social media trend is gaining traction. Swedish women, particularly from the Gen Z demographic, are embracing the “soft girl” lifestyle — one that favors domesticity, leisure, and emotional wellness over traditional career ambitions. This has sparked intense debates about modern feminism, work culture, and gender equality in Sweden.
Vilma Larsson, a 25-year-old former grocery store and care home worker, quit her job to become a stay-at-home girlfriend. Living off her boyfriend’s salary, she now spends her days in the gym, cooking, or enjoying coffee breaks. Larsson documents her lifestyle on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where she’s gained over 11,000 followers using hashtags like “hemmaflickvän” and “hemmafru.”
Sweden’s Cultural Shift and Generational Reactions
The soft girl identity, which promotes a softer, more feminine way of living, appears to be a counter-reaction to the pressure of the “girl boss” ideal. Johanna Göransson of Ungdomsbarometern, Sweden’s youth research agency, says this trend reflects growing mental health struggles and burnout among young women. According to a recent report, 14% of Swedish girls aged 7–14 now identify with the soft girl label.
Göransson suggests the phenomenon aligns with global movements like “quiet quitting,” which encourages minimal effort at work to preserve personal well-being. In a country where most employees enjoy six weeks of annual vacation and less than 1% work over 50 hours per week, it’s ironic yet revealing that young women still feel overwhelmed and disillusioned by the prospect of full-time employment.
Political and Feminist Backlash
The soft girl trend has stirred sharp reactions across Sweden’s political spectrum. Feminist pioneer Gudrun Schyman has warned that relying on a partner financially is “dangerous” and could undo decades of gender equality progress. She argues young women are disconnected from the historical struggle for women’s rights and economic independence.
Conversely, Denice Westerberg from the youth wing of the Sweden Democrats supports the trend, emphasizing individual freedom and choice. “We still live in a country with all the opportunities to have a career… but we also have the right to live more traditionally,” she said.
Mental Health and Economic Implications
At the heart of the debate is a concern over mental health. According to Sweden’s Gender Equality Agency, many women experience burnout as they shoulder the bulk of domestic duties, even in dual-income households. While Sweden leads Europe in working mothers, government data shows women still perform more housework and take on 70% of state-funded parental leave.
Economist Shoka Åhrman, from pension fund SPP, warns that leaving the workforce — even temporarily — can severely impact a woman’s financial future, affecting savings, pensions, and long-term salary potential. She views the soft girl trend as a wake-up call to address lingering structural inequalities.
Is This a Rebellion or Regression?
For some, like Larsson, choosing a softer lifestyle is a form of personal empowerment. “I think a lot of women feel burned out from their work,” she said. “I just think of my mother and her mother, my grandma, and my sister, everyone. They’re always so stressed.”
Others see it as a troubling step backward that could erode the progress women have made in the workforce. While the trend may be small in scale, its symbolic power lies in the broader conversations it provokes — about freedom, identity, and the cost of modern achievement.
Category: Gender & Society, Culture & Trends, Work & Mental Health, Politics & Policy
Tags: soft girl, Sweden trends, gender equality, stay-at-home girlfriend, Gen Z lifestyle, feminism, Swedish culture, work-life balance, mental health, quiet quitting
