Comments on: Is Home Economics Class Still Relevant?

By: Cecelia Dowdy

Cecelia Dowdy — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 12:34:14 +0000

I was required to take the following home ec courses: wood and metal shop, sewing, cooking. Since my mom was a housewife, I already knew a bit about cooking so I didn’t mind the cooking part.

But, HATED wood and metal shop and sewing!! HATED IT!! I didn’t understand why I needed to use this sewing machine to make a book bag – I could just buy one from the store? Wood and metal shop? I HATED those loud machines and making those spatulas, bookends, bookshelves…I knew I wouldn’t be doing any of that stuff after I grew up, so, why bother.

The only practical part of home ec was the cooking. I think most people need to know how to cook. However, even if they don’t take a class, they could simply follow recipes in a cookbook…

By: Dayna M

Dayna M — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:02:06 +0000

Wouldn’t it be great if the education system taught life skills? In addition to credible health and nutrition information how about we teach them about personal finance – credit card rates, savings accounts, what a mortgage actually is, how to spend less than you make. The education system in this country is an abomination that needs reforming in the worst way. Let’s quit teaching kids how to take tests and start teaching them some basic life skills and sensibility.

By: Guy

Guy — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 06:09:47 +0000

Are the online courses available anywhere. Addressed for adults?

By: Is it time to bring back Home Ec? « The Beanstalk Blog

Is it time to bring back Home Ec? « The Beanstalk Blog — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:56:16 +0000

[...] of obesity and diabetes continue to rise in the US, many folks, including Jesse Rhodes, author of this post for Smithsonian think that much of the blame lies in the lack of proper food preparation skills. What do you [...]

By: 2. READ. LOOK. THINK. | Jessica Stanley.

2. READ. LOOK. THINK. | Jessica Stanley. — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:49:01 +0000

[...] Is home economics class still relevant? | Smithsonian blog [...]

By: LynnD

LynnD — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:43:24 +0000

Some school are now offering a “Life Skills” course. It is very similar to Home Economics, without the sewing. It deals with home cooking, budgeting, travel planning, how to fill out resumes and job applications, child care, etc. Unfortunately only a few schools have jumped on the band-wagon. It was a very useful course and I would love to see more schools offer classes like this.

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:04:22 +0000

Why not roll nutrition and cooking elements into the already-mandated health curriculum. By the time teens hit 10th grade, they completely glaze over during the drug, alcohol, and sex themed curriculum currently repeated annually. Nutrition, safe food prep, moderate eating habits certainly seem to me to fall under the category Health. It might even generate some excitement and interest in the course. Hands-on participation? Bring it on!

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:51:57 +0000

In the 1990′s in my middle school, we were required to take both shop and home ec. among other six week courses that offered a range of interests to our regular curicculum. I enjoyed the experience of both classes, and home ec. helped spur my respect and love for the art of sewing. Without that catalyst, I wouldn’t have asked my family for more knowledge about handicrafts that I feel are vanishing from younger generations repertoire. I think it integral to provide these kinds of experiences for them and remind them not only the opportunities of the present, but also the craftsmanship of the past, where well-cooked meals or a handmade article of clothing were once greatly appreciated.

By: Margie

Margie — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:15:28 +0000

Home ec teaches how to apply basic math and reading to everyday life. It’s incredible to me that these most basic skills are no longer taught.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:15:23 +0000

A food science class would be a great addition to any middle or high school course list. My daughter’s high school offered a ‘gourmet food’ class which taught nutrition and how to make simple healthy meals.

The problem is that all the kids that should sign up for these classes do not always do so. I think making it a requirement would have to be the way to reach everyone.

I have worked with children at the middle school level that were unfamiliar with many of the basic fresh vegetables that we take for granted.

By: Penelope Mitchell

Penelope Mitchell — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:40:18 +0000

I, too, fully agree. I’m a product of that era (the ’50s) when Home Ec was required for all girls (and Shop for all boys). Strangely enough, I do not feel like a victim! In fact, I feel privileged, part of a shrinking elite who learned about basic nutrition, elementary cooking skills and how to alter my own clothes. That education allowed me to prepare a simple but tasty meal as a new bride without resorting to a freezer and a microwave or a list of take-out places by the phone. (Actually, there weren’t very many of those at that time.) Today’s young adults need those skills more than ever, since most move away from home immediately after college and don’t have Mom nearby to give immediate help. They are indeed BASIC skills for everyone.

By: David Evans

David Evans — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:08:59 +0000

Yes, I fully agree. Home Economics, Bachelor Survival, and Domestic Skills classes should be required for ALL students. Everyone needs to learn basic cooking, clothing, home repair, auto repair, and carpentry skills. Just as learning basic computer literacy can lead to careers in data processing and information management, learning home skills can spark interest in careers in restaurant, fashion, construction, automotive, and other industries.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:36:47 +0000

Home Ec seems like it could be a great tool in fighting obesity, but it would need to be revamped. Instead of biscuit dough donuts (I think I made those!), teach kids nutrition basics, why homemade food is better than fast food, and how to do quick and easy dinners.

By: Claude Davis

Claude Davis — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:00:34 +0000

1 semester of home ec should be required. I have a brother & had an uncle who would starve with bread in the pantry and cold cuts in the fridge, because they were too ignorant to make a sandwich. Everyone should be taught a little basic cooking & how to do laundry, at the very least.