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Jackie Kennedy’s grandchildren shocked by her antiquated view of women

Caroline Kennedy speaks about family reaction on GMA

By
CATHY HAYES,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Thursday, September 15, 2011, 8:07 AM
Updated Thursday, September 15, 2011, 10:17 AM

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Jackie Kennedy’s grandchildren shocked by her antiquated view of women
Jackie Kennedy with Caroline, left, and granddaughters Rose and Tatiana in Central Park, New York, in 1992
Photo by Charles Sykes/Rex Features


The grand-daughters of Jackie Kennedy have said they are “absolutely horrified” by the former First Lady’s views on the role of women, their mother Caroline has revealed.

Speaking to Good Morning America, Jackie Kennedy’s daughter Caroline said her two daughters were horrified when they heard a portion of the recordings.

Her two daughters Rose (23) and Tatiana (21) asked their mother in disbelief “Did she really think that?”

As part of an oral history, the original interviews were recorded in 1964 by Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

In the audio recordings the young widow described her marriage to JFK as “a rather terribly Victorian or Asiatic relationship” and she said most of her opinions came from the former president.

“I think women should never be in politics. We’re just not suited to it,”  she said.
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Speaking on Good Morning America, Caroline Kennedy spoke about her family’s reaction.

“It was funny because my daughters listened to it too and they were just absolutely horrified,' she told GMA,” 

Her daughters asked her: “Did she really think that?”

“And of course time has moved on and it shows you both there are many timeless things in here but it really is a snapshot of a world that we barely recognise.”

She added: “I think people really need to understand the purpose of an oral history. And it really - the value of it is immediate, it is honest.”

“I think that was very brave of her to do that and to be honest. But it’s got limitations. It’s just - it’s a primary source document. It’s like a diary or something like that, it’s really a snapshot.”

The only daughter of the former president, Caroline decided to release the transcripts in the lead up to the 50th anniversary of JFK's inauguration, later this year. She first read the transcripts after her mother’s death in 1994.

“There are flashes throughout where I hear her and there are parts to me where it sounds like it was a very long time ago, just the way she speaks and the things she said,” Caroline added.

Watch the clip from Good Morning America below:

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9 Comments

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IMODONOVAN | Feb 13, 2012, 04:43 PM EST
My Sainted Irish Grandmother had a saying about people like the Mostly Old School Kennedys...They were "Lace Curtain Irish" Which means they may have lace curtains in their windows but they still P.....d in the Kitchen sink!!!I am near 70 now and I have always remembered that and all the wonderful thing my Celtic Grandma taught me..I have had the privilege of meeting the Irish People in their native country and even were asked by other tourist for directions in the city like I was a native..Love the country!!!thanks

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Pittsburghkid | Sep 15, 2011, 11:07 PM EDT
May be Jackie was right. Right now, American Culture is being over run by hispanic, and Arib Cultures. Because American Culture has failed to reproduce itself. Women are not having enough children. Abortion and Birth Control are major factors. Hispanic, and Arib Cultures still produce large families. When these Cultures take over America, Will they permit Abortion?

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dv727dv | Sep 15, 2011, 04:34 PM EDT
This is news?? A deceased snot has opinions about women that surprise her granddaughters. Big Deal! How about her snobby attitude toward those less "cultured??" Maybe that's not "surprising," but it sure is OFFENSIVE! Spare the "Nobody Knows The Troubles the Kennedys Have Seen" rag. It, like Ms. "O," is a fraud.

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Nicomax | Sep 15, 2011, 12:46 PM EDT
She was a bit behind the times even in 1963, in that women had been politically involved for decades by that time, and some quite successfully. Often they were fighting for the right to vote, no less, and also work rules, child care, and sometimes even war and peace. The economically secure women were often abel to avoid such contentions.

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bunkerisland | Sep 15, 2011, 12:01 PM EDT
You have to love Caroline for her willingness to put it out there and not concern herself regarding the opinions of others.

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Irishsetter | Sep 15, 2011, 10:56 AM EDT
These are interesting quotes from the book regarding Kennedy’s trip to Utah to speak. Shortly after Kennedys speech in Utah, and despite the reception while he was in the Beehive State. President Benson, the prophet of the Mormon Church, as reported by his grandson Steven Benson, was happy and the Benson family was ‘happy’ when receiving the news of Kennedy’s murder. Quote from Jackie: “I think, all in his party were pleased, of course, but slightly amazed at the reception he got there.” “Reports from the time of Kennedy's visit show two things:” “1) It was announced that the president promised to return to Utah someday 2) That the president would also soon travel to Dallas, Texas. quote below from article in Utah news paper regarding Jackie's quote on trip to Utah. "Sadly, only one of those things came to pass.”

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Irishsetter | Sep 15, 2011, 10:54 AM EDT
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Jackie-Kennedys-recordings-spark-memories-of-JFKs/np-L2HZp2ECa0V40zHK3wQ.cspx These are interesting quotes from the book regarding Kennedy’s trip to Utah to speak. Shortly after Kennedys speech in Utah, and despite the reception while he was in the Beehive State. President Benson, the prophet of the Mormon Church, as reported by his grandson Steven Benson, was happy and the Benson family was ‘happy’ when receiving the news of Kennedy’s murder. “I think, all in his party were pleased, of course, but slightly amazed at the reception he got there.” “Reports from the time of Kennedy's visit show two things:” “1) It was announced that the president promised to return to Utah someday 2) That the president would also soon travel to Dallas, Texas. Sadly, only one of those things came to pass.”

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Irishsetter | Sep 15, 2011, 10:44 AM EDT
ellenfromcork --- good post! Folks are forgetting what Jackie expressed was typical for her day. Nothing seemed to shocking,only reflective of the era which she did the tape. Twenty years later Jackie, more than likely, her thoughts changed. And if one could hear what their ggggrandparents thought, well.. one would be quite shocked!

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ellenfromcork | Sep 15, 2011, 10:21 AM EDT
Caroline's daughters are "absolutely horrified" by Jackie's view of women? Give over woudja! Is there a woman alive today that would be in agreement w/their granny's world view? Autre temps autre mores. When Rose and Tatiana are grandmothers, their granddaughters will think the same.

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