By definition, the term doctorate, commonly used in titles as “Dr.”, refers to the highest form of degree earned in a graduate school. While there is a common misconception that the prefix “Dr.” refers solely to those within the medical field, that is not the case. For instance, professors who have received their doctorate in their field of study often use the title. However, in light of the recent election, certain groups are calling for Dr. Jill Biden to retract her earned title for it feels “fraudulent” to those who believe the only way to earn a doctorate is through delivering a child or performing medical procedures. At the age of 55, Dr. Jill Biden earned her Ed. D (Doctorate of Education) at the University of Delaware. From there, the First Lady published her dissertation on student retention in community college. Her many years in the education field and courses taken through colleges have earned her the title in which she is now being asked to drop. So why is it that so many believe her title should be dropped? Many claim that her doctorate under education does not count toward her “Dr.” title, while others claim that as first lady she doesn’t need to use extra titles. When you consider the fact that people in professions ranging from professor to lawyers use the title in their profession, it seems somewhat pointed to call for our first lady to drop the usage of hers. Dr. Biden is only one of three first ladies to earn a doctorate, and the only one to date to use the earned title while in the White House. Often the first ladies of our country are viewed as side characters, yet Dr. Jill Biden’s act of defiance by proudly using her title has drawn a lot of attention. Yet, the scrutiny towards Dr. Biden and her title leads me to wonder if the same would occur if Joe Biden were to use the title with the same credentials?
By: Rachel Marshall