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 don't 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 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...

"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 triumphant! 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 mother."

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".