We Women Are Over Being Patronised…

So I don’t know if you caught this one today in the news?

An 83 year old (male) academic, Joseph Epstein, decided to write an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal deriding Jill Biden because she chooses to refer to herself as Dr. Jill Biden.

His issue? That she is an academic doctor (not one who has “delivered a baby”).

He also patronisingly addresses her as “kiddo”.

You can read his article, “Is There a Doctor in The White House? Not if You Need an MD” here.

The issues with this (for me, at least) are multi-layered…

Firstly, she is a Doctor… she worked for it. She earned it.

Secondly, Jill Biden is a woman, an intelligent woman, a teacher and a mother (amongst many other valuable things)… and she deserves respect; you don’t address her as “kiddo”.

Thirdly, she is the wife of the soon to be President of the USA and you don’t address her (or any adult for that matter) as “kiddo”.

Fourthly, how sad that in the 21st century we women are still being treated in this way… can you imagine a man being told to renounce his title?

Fifthly, why the Editor of the WSJ thought it appropriate to print this drivel is beyond me… perhaps (and I am being optimistic here) he wanted to spur the debate? Well, it’s worked.

Sixthly, women are fed up to their back teeth of being shouted down by archaic bullies like Joseph Epstein who seem to feel it’s their right to bully, spout hate and try to belittle women.

Lastly… I hope nonsense opinion like this encourages more women, who might have been questioning up til now whether or not to add their (legitimate) titles to their names, to now do so in their millions… on their linkedin profiles, in their CVs, in their speaker biographies, on the covers of the books they’ve written…

And own their authority to show cowards like Joseph Epstein that they have none.

Rebecca

BIO: Rebecca Allen has coached hundreds of female managers over the last decade to help them realise their true potential and become their brilliance. Our virtual courses are designed to empower you to take control of your career, pave the way to your success and to get ahead – not just professionally but personally too.

© Rebecca Allen, Illuminate Personal Growth. All rights reserved. To replicate part or all of this article please seek written permission first.