THE TWO FACES OF HOME ECONOMICS

This paper examines the problem of establishing Home Economics degree courses which will enable graduates to fill posts of widely differing natures.     

THE PLACE OF SENSORY EVALUATION STUDIES IN THE HOME ECONOMICS SYLLABUS

The application of the theory and practice of sensory evaluation of foods to the home economics syllabus is considered, with particular stress on the practical problems that must be recognized and considered. The relevance of such a component of the teaching course is discussed in terms of its value in stimulation of critical judgment, appreciation of scientific method and the acquisition of special skills.     

SCIENCE AND HOME ECONOMICS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

Scientists played an important part in the formative years of the nineteenth century when Home Economics was evolving into a coherent discipline. The paper considers the lives and works of six scientists from both sides of the Atlantic: Count Rumford, J. C. Buckmaster, W. Mattieu Williams, E. L. Youmans, Ellen Richards and W. O. Atwater. One connecting theme is in the quality of their advocacy of scientific applications in everyday affairs.     

SEXUAL STEREOTYPING AND THE TEACHING OF HOME ECONOMICS

In this paper the author reviews the incidence of sexual stereotyping and the changes that are occurring. He also indicates how these changes should influence the teaching of home economics in secondary schools.     

SYSTEMS FRAMEWORKS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMERGING PROFESSIONS USING HOME ECONOMICS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES

Emerging professions are those which are in the process of developing their basic understandings and structure concerning what they believe, study and do in relation to what the field was, is, and should be. The purpose of this paper is to suggest the usefulness of a systems framework as one means of facilitating the development of an emerging profession. Home economics/human ecology is used as a particular case to illustrate this premise.     

HOME ECONOMICS AND SEX DIFFERENTIATION IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

In the debate about the case for a common curriculum in secondary education, home economics has perhaps been somewhat later than other subject areas to put forward a rationale for the inclusion of home economics. There is considerable uncertainty about the best strategy to be adopted: ‘…home economists in education will need to be vigilant in order to ensure that the subject is given its rightful place in any major revision of the middle school curriculum…’ (A. R. Mathieson). This paper is an attempt to define potential strategies for home economics as a secondary school subject, particularly in the light of recent interest in sex differentiation and sex typing in the secondary curriculum.     

HOME ECONOMICS IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES: CURRENT TRENDS

Higher education programmes of home economics in the United States have experienced dynamic changes in recent years. Today, home economics programmes are marked by name and curricula changes, concern for cohesion in the field, student and faculty diversification, leadership and administrative structure changes, strengthened research efforts and by improved graduate programmes. Parallel with these trends is a movement to clarify the content and aims of the field by developing a contemporary definition of home economics.     

A WORLD SURVEY OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION IN A CO-EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM

A world questionnaire survey has been undertaken to obtain some information on the present position of home economics in co-educational curriculum development. Responses were received from nineteen countries from all over the world. Home economics education occurs within formal education in every country, and in most countries the extent of home economics education for boys has been increasing, compared with the UNESCO survey carried out 10 years ago. Coeducational home economics has been regarded as important both by government and the public by 84% of all respondents, though there are many difficulties in the implementation and in the practice of co-education, e.g. social prejudice and decisions about curriculum content.     

A REPORT ON THE INTEGRATION OF A UNIT OF DESIGN STUDIES INTO ADVANCED COURSES IN HOME ECONOMICS.

The content of a unit of Design Studies which has been produced for a degree course in Home Economics is outlined and an exercise in three dimensional problem solving is described. The potential of the contribution of Design Education to the development of the modern home economist and consumer is discussed, and the case for an integrated and central role for design studies in Home Economics Courses is presented.     

A STUDY OF OPINIONS CONCERNING METHOD AND CONTENT OF HOME ECONOMICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Which aspects of their school experience of home economics do housewives find most useful? Does this experience modify ways of caring for a home and family between successive generations? Are there marked differences between housewives in different social classes in their regard for home economics? This paper compares the responses to these questions and infers there is a need to give explicit recognition to the relationship between home economics education, social policy and the quality of home and family life.     

A REPORT ON METHODS OF TEACHING FOOD STUDIES IN A DEGREE COURSE IN HOME ECONOMICS

The teaching objectives for the food studies component of a degree course in Home Economics are discussed and methods of implementation are described. One practical unit of the third year course is outlined and preliminary student reactions to the course are described.     

PRACTICAL USE OF ENERGY IN THE HOME

This paper is based on evidence submitted to the Watt Committee on Energy by members of the Association of Home Economists working in relevant fuel and appliance industries and in consumer advice. The paper considers the evidence available about practical energy use in the home and its relation to energy saving. The energy management of different categories of domestic equipment is considered together with the concept of energy labelling. The educational aspects are considered and recommendations are made.     

THE CONTRIBUTION OF CONFLICT ANALYSIS TO HOME MANAGEMENT THEORY

It is the contention of this paper that home management should have its own distinctive conceptual framework and that it should concern itself not only with the ideal organization of the home, but also with actual home management practices. Systems theory, because it is a coordinating model based on cooperative relationships, does not provide the basis for an adequate conceptual framework. Home management theory must include concepts such as conflict, power, authority and ideology if it is to understand and to change existing home management practices.     

A REVIEW OF STRESSORS IN THE HOME

Stress can be defined as a dependent variable, an independent variable or as an interactive variable. The most workable definition is the latter, ‘the transactional model’. This describes stress as a ‘lack of fit’ between an organism and the environment in which an imbalance occurs at a cognitive level between perceived demand and perceived capability producing an unpleasant, emotional experience and a stress response. Stressors in the domestic environment may be noxious stimuli, social stressors, phenomenological stressors, or developmental stressors; all of which are discussed. In conclusion, the studies reviewed are suggested as failing to consider the large number of variables involved and in addition more work on the relationship between work stress and home life should be undertaken.