|
Not so sure this is humour
really as a comment on our times...
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 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 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 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".
Thanks to Donna Flood for sending this in! |
