Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Don't Fence Me In

Do you ever wonder how to answer those questionnaires that ask for your occupation? Have you noticed that they only allow you to check one box in a long list? What kind of person does just one thing? And since when is a person defined by what he or she does, anyway? 

I find questionnaires troubling because I never know how to answer them. If I say I'm a homemaker, then what about writing? If I say I'm a writer, then what about home schooling? And do they even count home schoolers as teachers? And what about the really important things that aren't listed, like being a wife and a mom? Who makes up these goofy questionnaires, anyway? How do they answer the questions? I've never seen questionnaire maker as a choice on those lists even once.

This has been bothering me for some time. Any comments?
Posted by Beth MacKinney at 12:42 PM

4 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 9, 2009 at 8:04 PM

    Suzanne's suggestion: Check "Other."

    ReplyDelete
  2. LauraJune 9, 2009 at 8:10 PM

    I never know how to answer those things! I've been pondering the disservice of one word labels - especially the "Christian" label, lately.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ChristineJune 10, 2009 at 8:34 AM

    I completely agree. Wife, mother, homemaker, writer, it's all relevant. I think people find their identity in their occupation. Thus the reason for the question. "You can identify me as a doctor, or accountant." I just love living and whatever I do I want to do it with all my might!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beth MacKinneyJune 10, 2009 at 8:38 AM

    Hey, the truth is, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Don't fence us in!

    ReplyDelete

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