Traditionally, we indicate a successful dissertation defense by saying "congratulations, doctor". Not "congratulations, kiddo", as Mr. Epstein of the @WSJ appears to believe.

The unspeakably condescending misogyny aside, the editorial betrays a stunning lack of familiarity with what a PhD is and isn't. He seems to think it's supposed to be awarded to those after surviving some sort of very stressful academic hazing ritual without fainting.

You could argue that the overall process of getting a PhD is a kind of hazing, but if so, the dissertation defense is not the most stressful or difficult part of it. It's the (often largely ceremonial) culmination of a much longer process.

In most fields and (US) universities, getting a PhD involves:

- passing a comprehensive exam in the field
- proposing a topic to embark on
- writing a dissertation that constitutes a substantial, original contribution
- giving a talk when you're done (the "defense").

(The hardest parts are often the first two.)

The purpose of a PhD is to train people to be research contributors at a professional, academic level. It's not a test of endurance or character.

And for the record, I have, in fact, delivered a baby, although that was before I went to grad school, when I worked as a paramedic. That's not what allows me to call myself "Dr." if I choose.

PhD is one of several (essentially equivalent) research doctorates, the names for which vary in different fields and programs. There are ScDs and EdDs (Dr. Biden has the latter, I believe). There's no real difference between them.