A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the 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 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 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.
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 experiment, (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"?
Great grandmothers: "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!!
Aunts: "Associate Research Assistants".
Mothers should be appreciated not just by their own kind but by everyone.
"Who is better in speech than the one who calls (mankind) to Allah, works righteousness and says 'I am of those who bow in Islam'".41:33
Lame post. Yes of course, no doubt that the status of mother is a most noble one and all of our mothers should be loved and respected, but come on, lame post. If any mother really did tell other people that they are a "research associate in the field of child development and human relations" they would be lying. Yup it is a lie. Now you may think you are acting all "cute" by justifying your claims, but lets face it, if you were to tell someone that your job is this bogus title then what you are doing is deceiving the person. Deception is a lie. It's sad that a mother would have to resort to such deception to impress upon other people the important status of motherhood. Mothers are wonderful, period. You don't have to pump yourself up with lame titles. Be proud of your motherhood regardless of what others think. Islam raised the ranks of women and mothers so you don't have to deceive others to make the point that motherhood is of noble stature.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! However, I thought it was kind of nice to see a different perspective on such a wonderful, amazing occupation. The lady who writes the post speaks the truth when she mentions the disregard and the underestimation given by others when they hear a woman is "just a" housewife or mother. It is very sad, but that is how society is and perhaps this lady wanted to show us this discrepancy. And Allah knows best.
ReplyDeletelolzzzzzzzz
ReplyDeleteSham...u kill it with some of ur posts!
thats really nice...when I'm married and a mother...I'll read over that post again:P
lol
speak to u soon inshalah
keep it up;)
lots of luv
ws
Ukhtik