First Lady Research Paper

The Evolving Role of the First Lady
Introduction
Determining how the media—particularly news and political magazines in this study—portrayed the First Lady during these two contrasting times could provide researchers insight into whether media coverage varies if presidents’ wives are perceived in politically active roles versus supporting roles to their husbands.
Women in Politics
Such information garnered from the study could be a small step in determining whether the media does set agendas in its coverage of women in politics and if set societal expectations of women determine the type of coverage—positive, negative or neutral—that First Ladies receive. The evolution of the role of First Lady has been observed by many researchers. Since the creation of the First Lady title, certain characteristics have been expected from the U.S. presidents’ wives. Mayo and Meringolo (Mayo and Meringolo) explained:
The nation has always expected First Ladies to reflect ideals of home, family and womanhood. Even the term “lady” has connotations of middle- and upper-class respectability and suggests a certain kind of demeanor. These expectations illustrate the conflict all First Ladies face: As presidents’ wives or hostesses, they are inevitably on the political and public stage, but as “ladies” they are expected to stay out of politics and in the background.

That year Warren G. Harding credited his wife as being a “good scout who knows all my faults yet has stuck with me” in his nomination speech. Anthony pointed out that the First Ladies are an integral part of a presidency, whether the public realizes it or not. “Only the First Lady and the president determine the extent of her power, though she has operated without his knowledge or permission. There is an error, though unavoidable, in viewing candidates’ wives as mere handwavers and shakers.”