“Mom, do we have a double boiler?” my 12-year-old son, Jake, queried the other day.
“Ummm… no,” I replied, struggling to recall what a double boiler even is and whether I’ve ever used one. “I think you can create one using a pot and a bowl… or something like that?”
“Oh, okay,” he said. “But we should really think about getting one. We made brownies from scratch in F.A.C.S today, and using real chocolate made them so delicious.”
“F.A.C.S” stands for Family and Consumer Sciences, the contemporary version of Home Economics that Jake has been taking this semester in middle school. Nearly every day, he comes home with stories about tasty dishes he’s prepared, the “cool” kitchen tools he’s utilized, or some amusing anecdotes about his experiences measuring, mixing, cooking, and cleaning.
Honestly, when I discovered that Jake’s school mandated all seventh graders to take Home Ec, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. My memories of middle school Home Ec were filled with thoughts of it being a boring class that no one took seriously.
Although both girls and boys participated when I was in school, I recall my mom mentioning that it was once a class reserved solely for girls. This led me to view it as outdated and even sexist. I assumed Jake, who is passionate about math and video games and treats helping out in the kitchen like a chore, would feel the same way. Surprisingly, though he might not admit it, his F.A.C.S. class has become one of the highlights of his day.
He’s learning essential life skills that will be beneficial long after middle school fades into the background. Beyond mastering how to use a double boiler, he’s learning to read recipes, prepare the stove, measure ingredients, crack eggs (a significant milestone, as he previously refused to let me teach him!), follow cooking instructions, and—most importantly—clean up after himself.
Additionally, he works in teams with his classmates on cooking projects, fostering skills in cooperation and collaboration. Respectful communication is emphasized in class alongside teamwork during recipe execution. Upcoming units will cover topics like etiquette, nutrition, and career exploration, and they’ll even tackle sewing projects on real sewing machines.
I’m genuinely thrilled about all of this. These are vital skills that every child should master (and sewing can be surprisingly useful!), many of which I haven’t properly taught Jake. While I occasionally ask him to help with dinner or to wash a few dishes, he doesn’t navigate the kitchen as well as he should.
To be honest, most household tasks seem tiresome to him. Yet, for some reason, learning them in school makes cooking and cleaning appear exciting. Who would have thought?
In today’s academic climate, where pressure is immense, I’m grateful my son has a hands-on, practical class integrated into his schedule. This course provides not only real-world benefits but also a much-needed respite from the stress of his other classes.
Interestingly, Jake’s school is among a dwindling number still offering Home Economics. According to NPR, the availability of these classes has drastically decreased; between 2002 and 2012, the number of schools providing Home Ec courses fell by 38%. Factors include a shortage of teachers entering the family and consumer science field, budget cuts, and a shift in funding towards traditional academic subjects rather than “life skills” classes like Home Ec.
Gayle Thompson, an educational consultant, explained to NPR that societal stereotypes surrounding Home Ec teachers have contributed to its decline. “Anything that wasn’t about a test score was scrutinized,” she said, referencing policies like No Child Left Behind and the rise of standardized testing.
Nevertheless, educators and parents alike recognize that Home Ec imparts necessary skills for functioning as adults. In my view, “life skills” should hold equal importance in education to subjects like algebra. When was the last time you actually used algebra in your daily life? Yet, I’m sure you managed a task in your kitchen today.
Clearly, many children aren’t learning these basic skills at home. “We sometimes assume kids know how to wash dishes,” remarked Susan Turgeson, president of the Association of Teacher Educators for family and consumer sciences. “I never thought I’d have to instruct students step by step on how to put a drain plug in and how much soap to use.”
Ummm, yeah—Jake has no idea what a drain plug is, nor how to soak a sink of dishes. Sigh.
As a mother of two boys, I feel it’s crucial for my sons to acquire these skills. I appreciate that Home Ec is a required, graded course at Jake’s school, highlighting the importance of domestic skills alongside academic learning.
I refuse to raise a man who can’t cook a decent meal, operate a stove, or clean up after himself—no way!
So let’s advocate for the return of Home Ec everywhere. Thankfully, we’ve moved beyond the notion that only girls need to acquire these skills. If these are abilities everyone should master, then let’s teach them to all!
Our children will be better prepared as students, adults, partners, future parents, and engaged citizens.
This article was originally published on October 10, 2019.
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Summary:
Home Economics, now known as Family and Consumer Sciences, is a vital educational component that equips children with essential life skills. Despite its decline in schools, this class teaches valuable lessons in cooking, cleaning, teamwork, and more. As parents, we should advocate for its revival to ensure our children are well-rounded and prepared for adulthood.