Positive Living-1

A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the county clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She 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 dont 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 possesed of a high sounding title like 'Office 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 feild of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid air and looked 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 do you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing programme of research, (what mother doesn't), in the laboratory and in the feild, (normally I would have said indoor and out). I am working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course the job is 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 carrers and the rewards are more of satisfaction rather than most of run-of-the-mill carrers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respectin the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our vriveway, byouyed up by my glamorous new carrer, I was greeted by my lab assistants - age 13, 7 and three. Upstairs i could hear our new experimental model, (a six-month old baby), in the child development programme, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on beaurocracy! And I had gone on official records as someone more distonguisable to mankind than "just another mother".

Motherhood - what a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the feild of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates'?

I think so!!!

I also think it makes aunts 'Associates Research Assistants'.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

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