Changes in Family & Consumer Sciences

Changes in Family & Consumer

Sciences

Information gathered by Lucy Campanis

Revised by Mikki Meadows

EIU School of Family & Consumer Sciences

Home Economics: The Early Years

The Home Economics Movement was influenced by……

• the need to create more educational opportunities for women,

• a concern to strengthen support for households and families, and

• interest in the application of scientific principles to the home environment.

1910’s

Societal Conditions– Increasing industrialization– High immigration– Women’s suffrage movement– Increase of women in the

labor force– Desire to mechanize

the home– World War I

1910’s

Professional Emphasis– Education was dominant– Increased need for institution

management– Research focused on food selection for

health and well-being– Involvement with

national organizations and governmental agencies

1920’s

Societal Conditions• Decade of prosperity for

majority population

• Energy conservation

• 19th Amendment

• Focus on home activities and family

1920’s

Professional Emphasis• Emergence of child development and

parent education as a part of Home Economics

• Increased application of art and design principles to clothing and home design

• Thrust to improve the family

• International expansion of Home Economics programs

1930’s

Societal Conditions• The Great Depression

– growing social concerns

• Economic recovery – Increased materialistic

attitudes

• Electrification

1930’sProfessional Emphasis• Family relations important in

college programs• Programs focused toward

business and social arenas• Extension education broadened• Research broad

– nutrient knowledge– housing– colorfastness in textiles– consumer expenditures

• Nutrition education and school lunch programs

1940’s

Societal Conditions• WW II and recovery• Mass employment of white women• Expansion of women in the military• Conservation• Family interest in

material possessions

1940’s

Professional Emphasis• Career opportunities increased

– Dietetics– Clothing-related design

• Research into “convenience foods” and Recommended Dietary Allowances

• Future Homemakers of America was created

1950’s

Societal Conditions• Decade of peace and prosperity for majority

culture• Korean War• Civil unrest• Technological and economic

growth• High employment• Reduced focus on work outside

of the home for white women

1950’s

Professional Emphasis• Expanding programs

– Limited professional employment sought by many graduates

• Research– cognitive growth in children– psycho-social aspects of clothing– institution management

• Involvement in International programs

1960’s

Societal Conditions• Era of changing social values• Concern for disparities of

poverty/wealth• Civil Rights Movement• Growing Women’s Movement

– Predominately middle-class white women

• Viet Nam War• Ecological concerns

1960’s

Professional Emphasis• “Compensatory” programs – Head Start• Increase in minority & male

involvement in college Home Economics faculties

• Expanded specialization in college programs

• Professionals active in Women’s Movement

1970’s

Societal Conditions• Equal rights and opportunities for all

became vogue• “Human Movement” rather than

“Women’s Movement”• Smallness of the world• Interdependence of

“haves” and “have-nots”

1970’s

Professional Emphasis• Standards• Accreditation of college

programs began• Increased number of males

in secondary programs• Interdisciplinary efforts in education and

research• Research sophistication increased

– emphasis on improving the life of individuals and families in a complex and changing society

1980’s

Societal Conditions• Increased emphasis on technology• Globalization• Social reform• Changes in employment• Increase in drug use• Focus on issues of violence• Family and work issues

1980’s

Professional Emphasis• Professional certification began

• Reconceptualization of the discipline

• Increased activity in public policy

• Emphasis on family and work issues

1990’s

Societal Conditions• Increase in technology

– personal life & workplace

• Use of the Internet• Workplace diversity• Health concerns

– HIV/AIDS

• Decrease in commitment to the environment

• Political activity

1990’s

Professional Emphasis• Name change to Family and

Consumer Sciences• Family issues• Recruitment to meet

increasing teacher shortage

Ellen H. Richards

• Chemist specializing in sanitation at MIT

• Leader of the Lake Placid Conference

• Founder of Home Economics

• First President of the American Home Economics Association