Calling all Women, Are you just a Mom?
Oh, No, there must be something more than being a mere Mom!
A woman, 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 the woman.
"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 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 human ties,
(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.
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..."
Please let this read by another Mom,
Grandmother,
Aunt,
And other friends you know.
Received from Murlidhar chaturvedi
BALAJI K said...A superb one! Even I used to think twice when I hear the term house-wife! In fact the mothers are 'working from home' and may be better termes as home-workers and that is the state of affairs. If a lady says she is not employed, she is unemployed and it ends at that! You have put it very nicely as "Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations". This is fantastic and is the perfect fact!
A housewife is nowadays described a homemaker in India. She is a designer,resource planner, strategist, executive as well as an auditor and a vigilance commissioner in her area of home affairs. Why u can't call her: Chief Secretary, Home Affairs. In a study I am told conducted a decade ago in USA, it was found that the financial value of a housewife is fourteen times that of her valuable husband. Incredible but true !!
subburathinam