The officer at the Driving License counter asked the lady "What is your occupation?"
The woman seeking renewal of her license seemed to be puzzled. So the
officer said "Ma'am, are you employed, have your own business or........
The woman replied "Oh, yes!! I have a full time occupation. I am a mother"
Officer: "We don't have 'mother' as an option for occupation. I will
write it down as 'Housewife'. That takes care of all questions."
This had happened long ago, and was forgotten. Years later when I went
to get my license, the Public Relations Officer was a somewhat
pompous.woman.
"Your occupation?" she asked in a rather authoritative tone.
I just had an inspiration and replied "I am a researcher in the field
of Child Development, Nutrition and Inter-personal Relationships"
The lady officer stared at me in amazement. I calmly repeated my
statement and she wrote it down verbatim. Then, unable to conceal her
curiosity, she politely asked "What exactly do you do in your
profession, Ma'am?"
I was feeling good about having described
my occupation so calmly and confidently. So I replied "My research
projects have been going on for a number of years (*Mothers never
retire!!).* My research is conducted in the
laboratory as well as in
the field. I have two bosses. *(One is God and the other is my entire
family)*. I have received two honours in this field. *(A son and a
daughter) *My topic is considered to be the most difficult part of
sociology.*(All moms will agree!!)*. I have to work more than 14 hours
every day. Sometimes even 24 hours are not enough and the challenges are
tougher than many other professions. My compensation is in terms of
mental satisfaction rather than money"
I could see that the
officer was thoroughly impressed. After completing the licensing
formalities, she came to the door to see me off.
This new
viewpoint about my occupation made me feel much better on my way back
home. I was welcomed by my 5 year old research assistant at the door.
My new project *(my 6 month old baby)* was energetically practicing her
'music'.
I had earned a small victory over the Governmental red tape today. I
was no longer 'merely a mother', instead I was now a highly placed
functionary in a service vital for mankind -Motherhood!!
'Mother' - Isn't it a great title. Fit to be added to the nameplate on
the door!! By this standard, grandmothers deserve to be called Senior
Research Officers, and Great Grandmothers qualify as 'Research
Directors'. Aunts and
other ladies of that age group can be called 'Research Facilitators'
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