Did Michelle Obama say something to those girls in London along the lines of 'You too can be like me if you work hard' because if she did is she not saying that......

[moondog]

they too can marry a very important man?

I mean she's not there in her capacity as a lawyer, rather as a First Leady and surely that is not really a valid role to aspire to in itself????

She was a major part of the campaign, and I think they both are incredibly important role models as a very intelligent savvy and down to earth couple who did not come from privileged backgrounds (and most higher politicians and certainly presidents come from very privileged backgrounds - there are a lot of dynasties in US politics). That they have a functional happy family and clearly care for each other is also very important.

Plus anything that helps kids to think that being obviously smart is a good thing is a very good thing in a culture where "nerds" and "geeks" are insults and aspiring to be a WAG is apparently a career option.

She gives me the impression that they are part of a team! Something we have taught our son. We (no vomit emotion!) call our selves Team Bear. This includes my Mum as she is part of what makes this family work. I want my son to get the very best out of life and education will help him. Also the right woman. He has to play his part.

1. NOT get a girl pregnant unless he can support her and the child!
2. Respect her
3. Do his share of the housework and cooking.
4. Don't be a git!
5. You might have to love and leave if she treats you like shit! (or words to that effect)

My mother watched a programme this morning where they were interviewing some of the girls from that school.

The girls said that was the first time anybody had spoken to them like that about education and their future.

I have no doubt that she has inspired those girls just like she inspires me and countless of people from underprivileged backgrounds who do have the the luxury of rich connected parents to ease their way through life.

who do not have

"I never cut class. I loved getting A's, I liked being smart. ... I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world."

I loved that quote so much, I am going to copy and paste it again and again.

"I never cut class. I loved getting A's, I liked being smart. ... I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world."

"I never cut class. I loved getting A's, I liked being smart. ... I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world."

It's not something people say very often in this country.

Michelle Obama played a huge part in Barack's rise: she was the main breadwinner for years in order for him to concentrate on his writing and politics. The school she visited in London was deliberately selected because it has a very, very large proportion of girls from black and Asian backgrounds (more than 90%, iirc), probably quite a similar representation to the area of south Chicago she grew up and where, let's be honest, a lot of people would have expected her to be a single parent by 16. She was simply telling the girls that their lives aren't mapped out by their circumstances and it brought a lump to my throat. I think the woman is inspirational.

He wasn't 'very important' when she married him. He was a person she loves and married for such reasons.

I'm glad to see someone out there who will continue to tell girls that having dreams and goals of their own and controlling their own lives and living them as they please is a good thing.

I get so sick of all the schtick meted out to Michelle Obama.

Oh, so you prefer 'role models' like Jordan and Kerry Katona?

Thank goodness there is finally a popular, high profile woman who comes out with statements like that. It's such a nice change from/antidote to all the women who are in the public eye because they appeared on a TV show or shagged a footballer. It's desperate times when someone like Jordan is the closest thing girls have to a role model to aspire to (the whole: she's a brilliant business woman malarky).

It's a fair point that she was there as First Lady i.e. the person who happens to be married to the president, rather than in her own right, though. Sadly.

VERY disappointing looking at all those men at the G20. Stark reminder of the gender gap.

"I never cut class. I loved getting A's, I liked being smart. ... I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world." I love that quote too.
You know I cannot remember the last time I heard a politician or anybody come to that, say how cool it was to strive for grade A's. A positive message for youngsters to believe in education. Well said Michelle Obama. I'm a big fan of both of them and hope they can deliver on their dreams.

I think Michelle Obama is utterly wonderful. But do, at the same time, think that it's bloody sad that her role is as being part of a 'team'.

In that I don't agree with the idea that successful men have to be bolstered and supported by the love, attention and unpaid labour of their partners.

I don't do Teams, personally.

Gimme an "I", gimme an "N", gimme an "F"...

There's no "I" in "Team", people.

she has studied hard,worked hard.she doesn't need to justify her husband choice to anyone

Yay, Team Inferior!

I reckon we should change the spelling of Team just to shut up people who spout that appalling line. There is an I in grieve...

Oooh, like being told 'there's no such word as "can't"'.

I do think Michelle O is fabulous. But don't think that success should depend on having a fabulous partner.

This country is going to the dogs because it is commonly believed that being smart is uncool.
And children learn this at an early age.
How can you combat that?
Round of applause for Michelle Obama for that one line

yeah, I always want to smack a dictionary down on the desk and say 'why don't you look it up, dunderhead, I think you'll fine there IS'.

It's a dreadful role model. She should have continued work like Ms Booth when Blair was PM.

But she was right to say smart should be cool.

Oh, DR, it has always been thought that being smart is uncool. It's a deeply UK thing, this distrust of academia and learning. It's not a Recent Degeneration.

Being female and smart is of course even worse as it undermines your crucial Femininity and ability to giggle girlishly at some bloke who is actually talking @rse.

Actually, Xenia, faced with her situation I think she made the right decision. It is an utterly weird way to live, and I think her decision to focus on de-weirding the experience for her children was the best one.

Nowt wrong with doing things as a team I don't think ,whether it is a blood, familial,romantic or professional one.I'm part of an academic team and I love the cameraderie and shared purpose.

Don't see how raising my original point can be seen as slagging MO off either. She's great. Does thinking somoene is great mean you never question them or their purpose?? That's a rocky path to follow.

DarellRivers, you combat it by showing your children that smart is cool. My DTS are 5yo and we have been teaching them about the solar system. They can wax lyrical about the Grand Nebula, Olympus Mons and why we could never live on Venus. Whilst waiting in the playground last week, I showed them the catkins on the Birch tree and explained what type of tree it was and that its bark can be easily peeled. When we go to the bark they can point an Eurasian Coot in the lake.

They love it because they think that DH and I are the most wonderful people and they want to emulate us.