I received this as a forward in my email:

A  woman, 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 the woman.
 
"I'm  a Mom."
 
"We  don't list 'Mom' 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  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 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 Mom."
 
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".