Identity Problems

But for the first time in 21 years of living, I was called a "woman," and a "lady." I've been called the "lady from the newspaper." I even interviewed high school students who called me "ma'am."

I graduated high school in 2005. I felt old that moment. But I never thought I'd be called any of those titles before I was a wife. I expected that to change afterward.

Walking around and interviewing people, calling myself a reporter with The News, seems to have changed my feminine status.

When I called myself a reporter for my college paper I was always called a girl, young woman, kid and even one time, I swear, a toddler. I'm definitely not used to being treated like an adult by those sources.

Where I work defines me as a person - literally.

I've always assumed that my status as woman would change when I had a ring on my finger. Right then, I was no longer a woman or a lady, but a child diving in during adult swim.

Someone I was interviewing would ask: "You're getting married? You're a child."

Well, first off, the problem with that weird moment is that it distracted from the interview I was conducting, and secondly, I wasn't a child a minute ago.

Apparently to people I'm somewhere in between career woman and child bride. To some, you can be old enough and responsible enough to work at a newspaper, but you're not old enough and responsible enough to build a marriage.

--- Natalie Morera

Comments

[Don H]

Some people are never old enough or responsible enough to build a marriage.

[Tim]

Maybe you should stop talking for a while, Champ.