[cinci_dads] A new entitlement?

From: "Dan Zavon" <dzavon@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Stay-at-home Dads Cincinnati" <cinci_dads@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 01:27:31 -0500
A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the Transport office was 
asked by the clerk to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to 
classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the clerk, "do you have a job, or 
are you just a ......? 

  "Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. 

  "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 local police station.  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, 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 programme 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 bloody 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 girl's voice as she completed 
the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. 

  When 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 "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". 








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[cinci_dads] A new entitlement?

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