summary 3

Summary
Jan 31, 2010
In Hye Park
According to L. Burns in “The First Lady as Political Activist, 1964-1977” in “First Ladies and the Fourth Estate”, 2008, pages 102-128, the first ladies of this period performed more political activities than before, using their celebrity status. That is, the author pointed out that the first ladies as political activities were evolved from the first ladies as “public woman” (L. Burns, 2008, p.111) and “political celebrity” (L. Burns, 2008, p.111). Specifically, she scrutinized that “second-wave of feminism” (L. Burns, 2008, p.107) due to social and political instability in the 1960s and 1970s incited more women to integrate into public and political area, disclosing social debate as to gender roles. Also, she indicated that the first ladies during this era upheld the feministic movement without denying women’s conventional roles. That is, the first ladies as “contemporary women” (L. Burns, 2008, p.108) balanced their domestic roles with their political performances. Especially, the author accentuated that the first ladies of this period performed more independent political roles such as political advisors, election activist, presidential substitute and social advocacy comparing to former first ladies. However, she also revealed that despite the extension of the first ladies’ influence, their interests were chiefly limited to women’s issues.
Furthermore, she pointed out that sometimes these first ladies’ performances were accused of abusing political power. Nonetheless, according to her, the first ladies’ political power of this era was not only acknowledged but also demanded.