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Subject:
Occupations
A woman renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office.
Asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation, Emily
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 (6 months) 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. Whether a stay at home Mom or a
career Mom, we should all carry this title.
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".
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