"A Woman's Title."
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the Motor Registration
office, was asked by the counter clerk to state her occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is," explained the counter clerk,
"do you have a job or are you just a ...?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.
"I'm a Mum."
"We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"
Said the clerk emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the
same situation, this time at our own Medicare office.
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 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, (first the Lord and then the
whole 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 Mum." 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."