The social status of certain occupations needs to be upgraded!

I always hear people say things like, "I am just a housewife", "I am only a cleaner", "I am only a taxi driver" etc. Recently, a lady told me, "I am just a secretary!". I said to her, "Wow! You help your boss to be a boss!". Upon hearing this, she was so delighted and immediately felt so proud of what she was doing, and she said, "Yes, I will remember that!".

How most people look at themselves is built on what the society as a whole perceive them to be. There are occupations that are not accorded the rightful status in the society because they are usually judged on certain traditional views and perceptions typically based on educational background. I think housewives should view themselves as "Minister of Home Affairs". The name itself could provide tremendous encouragement and motivation. Over the years, many names have been changed to give more recognition to such occupations, for example, clerks are now called administrative assistant, bus drivers Bus Captain now.

Each of those few occupations mentioned in the first sentence is as noble and honourable as any other professions such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers etc. Many of these successful professionals were brought up by their parents or grandparents who might be taxi drivers, housewives, cleaners, secretary etc. and might not even have completed their primary school education. We should salute such great parents though they might feel lowly for who they are.

I think it is not for these people who are humbly serving their family and the community to come forward and ask for recognition; instead the society as a whole and those being served should be more forthcoming in giving recognition, appreciation and gratitude to those who have helped them in their growing-up years and their daily lives. As a whole, I think there is a need to upgrade the status of some of the occupations that have been viewed very lowly in the past.