Op-ed Saying Jill Biden Should Drop ‘Dr.’ From Her Title Spurs Backlash | TODAY

Support is pouring out for future first lady Dr. Jill Biden after a controversial op-ed in The Wall Street Journal suggested that she drop the title “doctor,” even though she earned it. NBC’s Anne Thompson reports for TODAY.

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Op-ed Saying Jill Biden Should Drop ‘Dr.’ From Her Title Spurs Backlash | TODAY

[dotcalm]

Most doctors of anything, other than medical, don't go around using it in their name, outside of the office they work at.

[rbzsfg]

Why hasn't anyone asked Dr. Dre to drop the "Dr." from his name?
Sounds like racism, to me.

[donacantillo]

LMAO! So if you're a heart surgeon, a neurologist or a scientist, you're not a Doctor because you didn't deliver a baby! But a midwife and a nurse can be called a doctor. 😂

[marketwizard]

You see how they are quick to dismiss it with some feminine shaming tactics ? Crazy bro

[Tom-oziy]

If I am not mistaken but most School Sups have doctorates in Education and are called Drs.

[sonjar]

In common usage in our society, the term ‘doctor’ preceding one’s name, suggests medical doctor. It always precedes their name.There are many non-medical doctorates, but the term ‘doctor’ rarely precedes the name. This has nothing to do with pride of accomplishment, or gender. In academia, when one is being given credit for an academic publication, for instance, the letters PHD, or EdD, will follow the authors’ names. Or in class, college, or otherwise, the professor will be called ‘doctor.’ Lawyers, for instance have a doctorate of jurisprudence, but are not referred to as ‘doctor’. Interestingly, Rand Paul, and Ben Carson, an ophthalmologist, and neurosurgeon respectively, seldom have their names preceded by doctor, and they absolutely should. It’s all political crap.

[carissarashea]

She earned her doctorate. Fraudulent?😟 The fact that this is even a conversation is mind blowing.

[renewilson]

SMH, This year is exposing the low informed. We have ALWAYS had academic doctors along with medical doctors.

[slushdog]

Last time I checked having a doctorate means your a doctor.

[allil]

Disgrace. They would never ask a man to do that.

[brushcreek]

Whoopi Goldberg thinks she's a medical doctor. Isn't she brilliant?

[lisaloyaga]

Humble people dont have to put letters in front of their name

[You-fxms]

A lot of these comments are proof to how uneducated & dumb downed America has become. Also it's a personal choice to use "Dr" if you have earned the degrees & title of it.

[michaelwarmoth]

Jill Biden needs to lose the title of doctor.

[intoalivinghope]

She most definitely should NOT drop it. It's fun to make fun of her for it 😛

[jadespades]

My mother told me a very important story growing up about the man she dated before my dad. 1970s. She had a masters. He did not. It didn't bother her and she didn't see him as inferior to her. This bothered him and his family a whole lot and it was the crux for why they broke up because that IS how they decided to see things. Through this story, she taught me that other peoples insecurities are not my problem. That's on them. I don't have to shrink myself for the comfort of others. I'm not responsible for their pride. Best lesson ever.

[angelaphinn]

A person can be a doctor of many things, if they earn a PhD (i.e. a doctorate), which means a person can be a doctor of medicine, sports, psychology, science, education, art.
I was told that many dentists in the US use the title of doctor, whereas, here in the UK, it is never done.
This debacle just demonstrates the importance of education and general knowledge and how the words of the uninformed (when they have a large, public forum) can cause unnecessary friction within society.

[jeninemarie]

No way..KEEP that DR. before your name. Getting a doctorate is a lot of work. She deserves to have her title.

[judytran]

WHAT????!!! She earned her Ph.D. She is a Doctor. I am happy to call her, Madam First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden

[ConstanzeWeber]

The etymology of the word 'doctor' is teacher (hence 'doctrine' means teachings); it's only come to be more closely related to word physician over time. Dr Biden's profession is actually closer to the authentic meaning of the word.