Barack Obama and His Mother

Our mothers pass down a lot of their traits to us. They raise us, nurture us, and mold us into the people that we are today. This is also true for the mothers of presidents. At one time, the candidates for president were children, influenced greatly by their mothers. Because of this, it can be very important to examine the qualities of the candidates' mothers in order to get a truer sense of who the candidate actually is. There are certain qualities to watch for, as they would be important for a president to have grown up with a set of values and under a certain influence. In examining the qualities of different Presidential mothers, I have looked closely at Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro, the mother of Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Obama has claimed to have been greatly influenced by his family, and there are many qualities his mother possessed that are excellent examples of what a candidate's mother should be like.

A president's mother should allow herself to understand the difference between what is deemed socially acceptable and what is actually right. When Obama's mother, a white woman, fell in love with a black man, she went against the views and beliefs of society. Her bravery produced a son, Barack Obama, who also had to live with the social stereotypes that were presented to him based on race. Many would shy away from marrying outside of their race in the 1960s. Soetoro was not afraid. Instead, she was a pioneer for her time. Her son certainly benefited from the trailblazing efforts of his mother. She taught him, through actions, that it is important to stay true to yourself, even if that's not what society wants from you. As a president, decisions will have to be made, and those decisions will not always be popular. Still, it is important to stay true to beliefs, even if it means going against the tide.

Idealism is another trait that a president's mother needs to have. Our future presidents need to have the belief that things can get better. They have to believe in the country and in humanity. Presidents need to believe that change is not only obtainable, but it will fix things. Soetoro had a sense of idealism, and it was passed onto her son. Obama's platform is based on the idea of change. He's not speaking of a small change, but of change that was inspired by idealism. This idealism has rejuvenated the nation with a sense of hope that has been sorely lacking for some time.

A certain amount of stubbornness is also important. If a president has something he or she believes in, that belief must be followed through. Soetoro was known as a stubborn woman who often stayed with her principles. That same characteristic is often seen in her son. Barack Obama is a strongly principled man who rarely apologizes, but that is because all of his movements have a purpose. He will explain his actions, but he will not gravel and beg for forgiveness. Each step is well calculated, and detractors will not be able to sway him from his path. That tenacity and stubbornness make for a strong leader that the public can count on. A leader should not allow bullying to knock him from his path.

Another quality Soetoro has is a sense of worldliness. Other countries are familiar to her. She's not afraid to branch out past a life in Kansas, or even the United States. By going to other areas, she's not only exposing herself, but her offspring to different cultures and ideas. That worldliness is noted in Barack Obama. It is apparent that he understands the world outside of this country. A president cannot merely understand the workings of the United States. Enemies and friends alike must be studied and known in order to gain allies and to protect the interests of the country. The fact that Obama knows of a world past this country is a great benefit to him.

Ambition and purpose are also important qualities that Soetoro shared with her son. She showed Obama the importance of drive and ambition. When he allowed himself to slip at school, she was quick to point out to him that he could do so much better, if he only tried. A president without ambition will surely fail. Ambition is needed in order to put forth all of the effort needed to be the President of the United States. A sense of purpose falls in with ambition. Ambition is the drive and purpose is the destiny. Together, they are tremendously important.

Barack Obama's mother is a good model for all mothers to follow. She helped to raise our next potential president. She did not use magic, but unconventional wisdom and drive in order to create a successful, strong human being.

Janny Scott, "A Mother's Unconventional Life is Reflected within Obama", iht.com