| Abstract: | Little is known about home economists’ perceptions of international development (ID). This paper offers some insights about this issue gained from an interpretative, thematic analysis of a very small sample of participants who attended the 1996 International Federation of Home Economics Congress. The analysis suggests inconsistencies in how home economists understand ID and what is seen to constitute ID activities, a lack of consensus about the meaning of development work, a lack of certainty about the difference between criticism and critique and concern for the imposition of western ideology on southern countries. Seven themes for future research are offered to help gain a better understanding of how home economists perceive ID including: (1) the role of participatory action research, critical theory, science and critical reflective practice in ID; (2) meanings attached to the concepts of international, development and economic growth; (3) the necessity of positioning an ID philosophy in practice, curricula, research and policy; and (4) perceptions of what constitutes development activities at home and abroad. |
