Defending Her Title: It's Dr. Jill Biden to All of Us

February 2, 2009

Michelle Obama may get all the attention, but there's one thing that stands out about Jill Biden. Doctor always precedes her name.

I've actually thought about the title at little to moderate length before — certainly enough to be embarrassed! She has a PhD in education, so shouldn't she be Jill Biden, PhD? No, that would sound weird. I always called my college professors Dr. — Even the art ones! So maybe it's not that weird. But Michelle Obama is a lawyer, and we don't call her Attorney or Michelle Obama Esquire. Though the latter suits her.

In the end, Jill Biden is called Dr. Jill Biden because she asks to be. Joe Biden liked to joke on the campaign trail that she went back to school at 55 because she was sick of seeing mail addressed to Sen. and Mrs. Biden. Ugh. Say it ain't so Joe!

The request may actually serve a purpose in academia, where sexism exists in more than just the books. A professor at University of Southern California's Center For Education said that male academics are more likely to be called doctor by colleagues while women are often addressed by their first names.

So what is Dr. Biden's request? Accurate? Smug? Feminist? Or totally irrelevant?

81 Comments

2 years 38 weeks

This is an interesting discussion that I've stumbled across, so I'll throw in my two cent's worth. My opinion is that professional titles are really only appropriate when used in conjunction with the profession. Prefacing a physician's name with doctor while in his office eliminates confusion among the patients over whom in the office the doctor might be, and besides, it's traditional. In a college classroom, referring to the instructor as Dr. Jones or Professor Wilson is an acknowledgment of that person's credentials and position. Outside work, in situations where the title has no relevance, Dr. Wilson, Professor Jones or Captain Martinez becomes Jane, Bill, Angie, Ms. Wilson or Mr. Martinez. I worked my way through college and eventually earned a doctorate in botany. At work my colleagues call me by my first name, but when I write a work-related paper or answer a phone call from the public, I often become Dr. since it helps to establish my expertise and qualifications. Outside work, on the other hand, I never refer to myself as Dr. -- there's just no reason for it other than narcissism or insecurity. The years I spent learning the basics of my profession no more qualifies me for a special title or status anymore than the lifetime of incredible hard work and learning that my father undertook as a professional rancher. If I meet someone at a party or at church who introduces himself as, say, Dr. Weiss, I'll smile, then introduce myself as Rick, but inside I'll be rolling my eyes.

3 years 14 weeks

I think it's arrogant for anyone to demand that they be addressed as "doctor", even MDs. And I'm constantly amused by the "hard work" justification that people use. So you worked hard for 7 years?? Really?? Well, ain't you just special. Sorry to break it to you, but there are lots of people out there who've been working just as hard (or harder) for just as long as you. And, in many cases, at jobs that are much more strenuous, difficult or dangerous than reading lots of books in a college library. In social situations, I think it's perfectly fine to use "Mister" or "Miss" out of a sense of tradition and as a sign of respect. However, to demand a special title for yourself based on how hard you think you've worked is nothing more than narcissism. Show me a PhD who does this, and I'll show you someone who went back to school for all the wrong reasons. Jill Biden is a perfect example. (And, before you slam me for being jealous... I have both a B.A. and an M.S. I earned my degrees because I wanted to further my career and because I enjoy learning. I did not earn them out of any need to engender respect from others.)

3 years 36 weeks

The PhD is the HIGHEST degree conferred. Period. It is higher than the first professional degrees MD, PharmD, DDS, etc. Period. Thus, anyone with a PhD is most definitely Dr. It is proper and respectful to address them this way. EdDs have never been considered PhD calibre by PhDs (this is NOT news to anyone in academia...if you think it is, you are incorrect), but we tolerate them self-referencing as Dr. If a woman PhD lives with a non-PhD man, mail is addressed Mr. and Dr. Smith. Anything else is incorrect. If both are PhDs, then Drs. Smith is correct. Family who deliberately addresses mail to the Dr Joe and Mrs Emily Smith when the woman has a PhD are being hateful and disrespectful. The envelope should be marked with "no such addressee" or "no such occupant" and then return the incorrectly and rudely addressed envelope to the idiot who sent it. Women need to get past expecting the same respect than men are entitled to. IT DOES NOT make us uppity, bi*chy, or otherwise. We deserve it. We should get it. Period.

pour qua 4 years 15 weeks

This is a silly, silly post. If she earned the degree, she should afforded the title unless she chooses otherwise. Case closed.

ladydanaj 4 years 15 weeks

Ugh I hate when Phds, especially in education, call themselves doctor. I have a juris doctorate and nobody calls us doctor. A Phd in education is a joke.

vanitypot 4 years 15 weeks

in freshman year (college), i had an English teacher who demanded us to call her Dr. *family name* and in sophomore year, my Sociology/Anthropology professor requested to call her "Doc" when we have something to say/ask her.. and they all have Ph.D.s! :D so if Dr. Biden wants to be called Doctor or Doc or Doc Biden, she has all the right; she earned it after all! :)

kscincotta 4 years 16 weeks

To me, I see this as no different then the use of "Mr.", "Mrs." or any other "title". When people want to be addressed formally, most people prefer to use them and in more social situations, they don't. Wanting to use an educational (or occupational, like Senator or President) title in a formal setting should be the norm, not the exception. And as someone in the seventh year of their PhD, I stand with those who've said that it's darned hard to get a PhD and we earned the title. In fact, all of the joint MD/PhD holders that I know (and it's a lot), will tell you that the PhD is much harder to get than the MD.

genesisrocks 4 years 16 weeks

One of my teachers asked to be called Dr. I don't really care. Whatever floats your boat

MSB1963 4 years 16 weeks

The word "doctor" is derived from the Latin word docere, meaning "to teach" and has been in use as a title for academics for over a millenium, far longer than its use for physicians. General use in the United States allows the use of the title "Dr." for any theoretical or applied research doctorates such as the Ph.D., Ed.D., or D.P.A. (Doctor of Public Administration). Use of the "Dr." title for such degrees is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation. Because she has completed a research doctorate, Dr. Jill Biden is entitled to the use of her title at least as much as any physician. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr. doctor. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved February 03, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/doctor

bluesarahlou 4 years 16 weeks

"Dammit Bag Boy! It's DOCTOR BIDEN to you!!! Now bag my frozen peas plebeian!"

geebers 4 years 16 weeks

And FYI- I plan to someday get my PhD as well as I would sign off with it but I would not expect people to call me doctor either. Still - I have respect for the work that goes into it and will refer to anyone else as doctor until corrected.

geebers 4 years 16 weeks

If I saw someone had a doctorate I would refer to them as Dr. until I was corrected. Nowadays most people that I know with PhD go by their first names- it is loosely defined. I work in a research and health field and most people around me have medical PhDs - only a few go by Dr.

death by chocolat 4 years 16 weeks

Yay, Julie! :-) I'm also pursuing my PhD (in Clinical psychology). Some people are much too biased in thinking an MD is the only type of doctor. I hated having to defend my decision to pursue a PhD in psychology (rather than an almighty-MD) when statistically, the clinical PhD programs are much more difficult to get into and take a significant amount of time and effort. Plus, if you came to me for therapy, wouldn't you WANT to think of me as a doctor?! And when I get that PhD, I'm adopting the same policy my professors have- you call me "Dr." or "Professor" until you're comfortable enough to use my first name, and when you do, I'll appreciate it.

Jillness 4 years 16 weeks

I don't see the big deal about this...

lilkimbo 4 years 16 weeks

And TS, I agree, SUCH a bad picture. And she's a beautiful woman. I stand by my theory that Citizen Sugar purposely chooses unflattering pics of those on both sides of the aisle. Maybe she gets a laugh out of the bad pictures or something! ;) :P

lilkimbo 4 years 16 weeks

MSucre, that's interesting. (About professor being a higher honor.) I guess it makes sense, though, seeing as most professors in the U.S. do continuing research, even though they may not necessarily write a second dissertation. On the whole Dr. Biden thing, I say it's irrelevant. Not that her work is irrelevant, but that it's irrelevant as a debate topic. She earned the degree and that's how she wishes to be addressed. However, I do recall when I learned the AP Style Rules (this was back in 2003 or 2004, so it may have changed by now) that the only people who were to be referred to as "Dr." in a news piece were medical doctors, dentists, etc. So, I would see the need for her to inform reporters that she wishes to be referred to as "Dr. Biden." And, I now have images of her flying off the handle at grocery store clerks. Which is humorous, but it would be so out of character for her and it's obviously something she would never actually do!

MSucre 4 years 16 weeks

In classes, I call professors (all of whom have a PhD) "Professor so-and-so." This comes from my impression that the title professor is higher than the title doctor. But I HAVE had professors, who prefer the latter. Of course, we're not talking about the classroom here. So in official matters, I think it's completely appropriate for Dr. Biden to be called such, as that his her official title. It's funny -- in Germany, to be called Professor is a higher honor, which comes from writing a second dissertation! (No thanks!)

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 16 weeks

I only call my doctors, doctor. but if she wants that title go ahead, just dont call yourself that out of spite, or to prove something

julieulie 4 years 16 weeks

Chatondeneige, I was referring to outside of academia. Of course I've taken a liberal arts course, I double majored in political science as an undergrad. It is the norm to refer to faculty as Dr or Professor, but outside of an academic institution, many non-scientists naturally do not go by Dr. Not all, but many. However, when you are a clinical scientist, working in a hospital, many people who know this still choose to automatically refer to you as Dr. in normal society. That was just my reference... many of my parents' friends have Ph.D.s in social sciences and are not (and have never asked) addressed as Dr. outside the academic institution, though they certainly do have the right to be called as such if they do desire. So no, they do NOT all go by Dr Name outside of a university. Thanks for talking down to me though, I appreciate it!

Matdredalia 4 years 16 weeks

Totally irrelevant. Seriously, why is this even news? I don't care if someone is a man or woman, if they have a PhD, I call them Doctor unless they specifically ask me NOT to. How does this have anything to do with feminism or haughtiness? Seriously?

chatondeneige 4 years 16 weeks

julieulie, have you ever taken a liberal arts course, or simply a look at the names on the faculty list? Everyone who's got a PhD goes by Dr *Name*! It's not just the norm in science, for pete's sake. Frankly, she earned it, it isn't like she's telling people in the street to call her Doctor Biden. I don't entirely get what the big deal is.

BRANDYNICOLE730 4 years 16 weeks

"Jill Biden is called Dr. Jill Biden because she asks to be." Maybe I'm being too sensitive to this, but I found this statement to be offensive, and sexist. What a total disregard for her hardwork. Not to mention, excuse her for being her own person rather than submitting to the title and description of "Joe Biden's wife."

Michelann 4 years 16 weeks

Blue, I agree. The majority of what I said was musing on the topic in general, and not applied to Jill Biden.

bluesarahlou 4 years 16 weeks

If we're going to go by the topic of the article, she wishes to be called Dr. Biden while teaching college classes and when being formally addressed. I see nothing wrong with that. It's not like she was at the supermarket demanding the checker call her Dr. Biden when he thanks her for coming in.

Bookish 4 years 16 weeks

Hey, she's earned it, so she deserves to be addressed by her title as she pleases. There's nothing haughty about wanting to be addressed appropriately.

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