AFP: Melania may be "a modernizer who broke free, and may lower expectations for the next woman"

[Miles Archer]

Melania Trump, America’s conspicuously absent first lady
Agence France-Presse
03 FEB 2017 AT 10:28 ET

http://www.rawstory.com/2017/02/melania-trump-americas-conspicuously-absent-first-lady/

Michelle Obama, the first African-American first lady, and Clinton and Eleanor Roosevelt, who both defied the meek housewife stereotype, also came in for heavy criticism particularly at the start.

Others say it is time for an independent first lady who reflects reality in the 21st century, when few American women are defined by their husbands.

Should Melania continue to keep a low profile, future generations may credit her as a modernizer who broke free from the confines of her position.

“It may lower expectations for the next woman,” Jellison said. “She won’t feel that she has to be the perfect American wife and mother role model.”

[Girard442]

1. The first First Lady to DTMFA?

Would be cool, but I don't see it.

[fleur-de-lisa]

2. "a modernizer who broke free from the confines of her position" . . .

I call bullshit. She's merely a wife who broke free from an asshole husband she despises, with good reason.

[bunnies]

3. Lowered expectations?

I'm pretty sure we can already check that box off.

[Solly Mack]

4. ....

Should Melania continue to keep a low profile, future generations may credit her as a modernizer who broke free from the confines of her position.

“It may lower expectations for the next woman,” Jellison said. “She won’t feel that she has to be the perfect American wife and mother role model.”

I got dizzy just from reading that spin

Look, the next Democratic president's spouse, be they male or female, will be attacked for not being a part of the tradition of the First Spouse engaging in DC society and working to draw attention to a worthy cause.

Like it or not, First Spouses are under the spotlight, as they too represent our country.

Melania Trump is not attempting to break new ground. There is a reason she isn't living with Trump and it ain't because she's an independent and original thinker.

[skypilot]

5. Wow, that photo.

She looks as though she's thinking that she'd like to smack that smirk right off his face.

[HipChick]

8. Looks like a teaser for ID TV...

Which series though? Wives with Knives?

[brush]

10. What else is going on in that photo? Looks lie a pair of hands and legs in a white skirt...

to the left of Melania's face.

Oh wait, I took another look.

They're reclining in front of a mirror.

[treestar]

6. I doubt there is any such intent

I could picture it more in the case of a First Spouse that has their own job that they do - that is - they are already a career something, like a doctor or lawyer who does not give up his or her practice, but goes out from the WH each day to continue in their career.

[dalton99a]

7. Does she have a choice?

[Caliman73]

9. Nope. Just nope.

I'm sorry but you cannot compare Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Melania Trump in an article about the significance of the First Lady and then attribute some quality of independence to Melania as a "trailblazer". That is ridiculous. Melania, like all of Trump's wives, is a kept woman. She is not in the White House because Trump doesn't want her there. That is all. If he wanted her there, she would be there.

She has shown no indication, ever, that she is an independent thinker or that she plans to set a new standard for the role of First Lady.