(From) Vintage Dilbert
\nSeptember 12, 1995
\nA woman named Emily renewing her driver\u2019s licence at the Transport office was asked by the clerk to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. \u201cWhat I mean is,\u201d explained the clerk, \u201cdo you have a job, or are you just a \u2026\u2026? \u201cOf course I have a job,\u201d snapped Emily. \u201cI\u2019m a Mum.\u201d \u201cWe don\u2019t list \u2018Mum\u2019 as an occupation\u2026\u2026 \u2018housewife\u2019 covers it,\u201d said the clerk emphatically.
\nI forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our local police station. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, \u201cOfficial Interrogator\u201d or \u201cTown Registrar.\u201d \u201cWhat is your occupation?\u201d she probed. What made me say it, I do not know\u2026
\nThe words simply popped out.\u201dI\u2019m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.\u201d The clerk paused, 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!
\n\u201cMight I ask,\u201d said the clerk with new interest, \u201cjust what you do in your field?\u201d Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, \u201cI have a continuing programme of research, (what mother doesn\u2019t), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I\u2019m working for my Masters, (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.\u201d There was an increasing note of respect in the girl\u2019s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
\nWhen I got home, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -ages 10, 7, and 3. Upstairs, I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development programme, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had triumphed over bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than \u201cjust another Mum.\u201d Motherhood\u2026..What a glorious career! Especially when there\u2019s a title on the door.
\nDoes this make grandmothers \u201cSenior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations\u201d, and great grandmothers \u201cExecutive Senior Research Associates\u201d??? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts \u201cAssociate Research Assistants\u201d.<\/p>\n
Author Unknown - Please comment if you know the author\n so credit can be given<\/strong><\/em><\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"(From) Vintage Dilbert September 12, 1995 A woman named Emily renewing her driver\u2019s licence at the Transport office was asked by the clerk to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. \u201cWhat I mean is,\u201d explained the … Continue reading