It seems as though the presidency would be one of the furthest cultural institutions from girlhood studies, but the presidential inauguration is a timely way into the topic area of this commonplace blog. During and immediately following the inaugural ceremonies and the 44th president's speech last Tuesday, Barack and Michelle Obama's daughters were in the media spotlight for their fashion savvy (along with their mother) and their meeting with the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus at The Kids Inaugural. So far, the first daughters' places in the realm of U.S. iconic girlhood can be plotted at the nexus of 'wearing cool clothes' and 'rubbing elbows with tween pop stars.'Amidst the clamor of the Obama girls' newfound and intense celebrity, the Wall Street Journal published an open letter addressed to Malia and Sasha from the former first daughters (and if I may go 20th century on you, also the former first granddaughters), Jenna and Barbara Bush. The letter ran under the headline, "Playing House in the White House;" the Bush twins provide advice on how to inhabit the first daughter role with heavy emphasis on the place where the Obama girls will mostly be expected to play that role - in the White House. I am deeply interested in how the first African American first daughters' experiences will compare to those who have come before them (mainly the most recent first daughters, including Jenna and Barbara Bush, Chelsea Clinton, and Patti Davis), as well as how their girlhoods are and will continue to be portrayed in multi-media outlets.
Above image from eonline.
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