Your Occupation??
A woman renewing her driver's license at
the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her
occupation, Emily had hesitated uncertain how to classify herself. What
I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are
you just a .....?"
Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother."
We don't list 'mother' as an occupation...'housewife' covers it,"
said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same
situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career
woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high- sounding title like
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it, I do not
know.
The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field
of Child Development and Human Relations. "The clerk paused, ball-point
pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the
title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with
wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official
questionnaire.
Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you
do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't) in
the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and
out).
I'm working for my Masters (the whole darned family) and already have
four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding
in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours
a day 24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill
careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed
the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I
was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could
hear our new experimental model (a 6-month old baby) in the child-development
program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone
on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable
to mankind than "just another mother."
Motherhood...what a glorious career. Especially when there's a title on
the door. Send this to another Mother you know. Does this make grandmothers
Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human
Relations" and great-grandmothers Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!! I also think it makes aunts "Associate Research Assistants".