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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not understand why young girls are told to aspire to be like michelle obama

187 replies

HRHShoesytwoesy · 26/05/2011 08:16

have I missed something? if so what?

OP posts:
HRHShoesytwoesy · 26/05/2011 11:36

wtf has happened to mn, you can't post and ask a simple question without this happening.
I watched a news report and I am pretty sure it never mention that she was a lawyer. so I asked. if we have to google everything mn would be empty. also it is interesting to read the good posts who have said some things I hadn't thought of.

OP posts:
MonstaMunch · 26/05/2011 11:39

i liked her until this was posted

she gets up every day at 4am to do a work-out!

lol

I did admire her last time she came though when she told the school kids that it was cool to be smart. Very good advice. She seems nice enough

PinotGrigiosKittens · 26/05/2011 11:40

Poor you Shoesy, another unnecessary flaming on MN. Hope you're OK.
Women are just great at supporting each other eh?

AlpinePony · 26/05/2011 11:45

fanjo Why does it make someone a cunt to suggest that OP is probably more au fait with day-time TV? Twunt is very 2001, non?

HRHShoesytwoesy · 26/05/2011 11:46

AlpinePony well seeing as I have never watched the mentioned programme, that falls flat.
now know which list you should be on.

OP posts:
AlpinePony · 26/05/2011 11:55

I have no idea which programme you're talking about, but I'm very lucky because I have access to the internet and MO first came to my attention in ~2007 so I was able to read about her. Apparently you can do something called "reading" - either online, or in newspapers - or, are you actually admitting that you require your informatino spoon-fed via the television?

Laquitar · 26/05/2011 11:56

I love her.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 26/05/2011 11:56

AlpinePony, twunt is very 2011 where I come from actually..and very apt in this case

nijinsky · 26/05/2011 11:57

I just can't help thinking when I see Barack and Michelle Obama together at state functions, compared to the others generally their with their spouses, that they are like some kind of physically and intellectually more advanced version of humans. And one in the eye for all the race haters.

I don't agree that Oxbridge is closed off to people from a poor background. There are plenty there from state schools but it requires a certain attitude and flexibility of mind. And its very easy to get into as a postgraduate.

Although I'd admire her more if she was President and her husband consort.

Blu · 26/05/2011 11:57

She is a better role model than a purveyor of posh handbags, for example.

ghosteditor · 26/05/2011 12:00

My DD was very gifted at science, when she started to pick her boyfriend over her studies i was devastated, until i read about how useless a science degree is for the majority of people from the UK combined with a working class background

Did you read that in the DM? I couldn't disagree more with your comments.

Law at Harvard and other Ivy League universities in America can cost upwards of $150,000 per year. Even pre-law is $46,000 per year just in tuition fees . For all but a select few on full scholarships, either parents need to pay or the student needs to take out enormous loans - probably in the region of half a million dollars over the course of their education. It's worth it because law is well paid in both practicing and academic professions in America. How is that more accessible than Oxbridge?

I went to Cambridge from a working class northern background with a school that had almost no history of Oxbridge applications. I was lucky to get in, of course, but so is everyone who applies, since there are so many well qualified applicants with the right extra curricular profile. My parents helped out as much as they could but the rest I took on as fairly low-interest student loans, which I'm still paying off, and worked as much as I could in the holidays. I'm by no means the only Oxbridge grad I know from that kind of background. I think you're misinformed. A science degree is invaluable from a good university and is often well-regarded by prospective employers across a range of industries. Science degrees are often perceived as tougher than arts degrees in many circumstances, so they are well received at interview.

I actually can't believe I just read that.

HRHShoesytwoesy · 26/05/2011 12:01

AlpinePony have Biscuit dear

OP posts:
ghosteditor · 26/05/2011 12:02

Sorry for the thread-hijack, by the way. Michelle Obama = awesomeness.

Fennel · 26/05/2011 12:06

I quite like all the contrasting possible role models we're being offered on this thread. X factor singers, page 3 models, handbag shoppers. But really, I didn't have those in mind as role models for my dds either. It is, admittedly, true that MO is more inspiring than Cheryl Cole or Jordan or Katie Middleton.

I was thinking more, in my idea of good female role models, of women politicians, lawyers, political activists, the sort of women who set up charities, sail round the world, challenge the system. Not reality tv types.

oohlaalaa · 26/05/2011 12:09

I think Michelle Obama is wonderful, and very inspirational. She is my number one girl crush.

She does not come from an educated family, but through sheer determination, has put herself through Princetown and Harvard Law School. She also had a terrifically succesful career before being First Lady. She was the main breadwinner, when Barack was trying to get into politics.

expatinscotland · 26/05/2011 13:12

Maybe she enjoys her marriage and family the same way she's enjoyed her job. What's so 'but' or bad about that?

I think she's a terrific role model. We need more of her and less of sleb 'culture', IMO.

porcamiseria · 26/05/2011 13:20

so who should they aspire to be like? I am curious as to what you think

sb6699 · 26/05/2011 13:36

I really admire Michelle Obama. She may be married to the worlds most powerful man but she certainly doesnt live life in his shadow.

She is a strong, educated, charismatic woman. I dont think she is particularly beautiful but gives an aura of confidence and charm which is attractive in itself.

I would be very proud of my children for aspiring to be like her. My 6yo has already shocked an elderly gentleman who suggested she might want to be a balerina or pop star by telling him she's actually going to be the Prime Minister Grin

Virgowoo · 26/05/2011 13:49

I'm sure US MNers can probably furnish this with more detail, but isn't the US First Lady expected to take a more 'front line' role than our PMs wife? The candidate's wives take a much more active role in campaigning and have a higher media profile there.

I can think of several prominent First Ladies post war who were active in public life and would get much media coverage for it. For whoever said that she wouldnt be here in the UK right now if it wasnt for who she was married to - the president & first lady have to come as a pair for a state visit - and she should damn well make the most of the opportunity to get her profile out there. Would you rather that she simpered around like SamCam? There's a lady with her mouth firmly under lock and key by the cabinet office.

We should be expecting a British First Lady for the 21st century with the clout to get women and childrens charities, causes and issues a higher profile.

wordfactory · 26/05/2011 13:54

I completely agree...being one half of the first couple of the US requires a lot of fearlessness, whichever half you are.

LDNmummy · 26/05/2011 14:13

Birds I very much agree with your point about Cherie. I only recently paid a little attention to her as an individual and was very impressed. Another role model IMO.

But your first point about the UK being more closed off I disagree with. Education costs an incredible amount more in the US than the UK and is far more elitist in my view.

LDNmummy · 26/05/2011 14:15

And OP, you are issing a lot of points here, it is not that she is A LAWYER that counts, there is far more to her than that.

LDNmummy · 26/05/2011 14:15

missing, not issing.

Piffle · 26/05/2011 14:18

Hillary Clinton also very well qualified in her own right and successful outside being married to le Pres

MonstaMunch · 26/05/2011 14:24

surely that should be Hillary Clinton is very successful DESPITE being married to Billy Boy lol

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