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"Of course
I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mom."
"We don't
list 'mom' 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 mid-air, and looked up as though
she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasising
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 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 mom."
Motherhood.....What
a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the
door. 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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