History of Home economics in Timeline

Home economics, also known as domestic science or family and consumer sciences, is a subject that focuses on various aspects of personal and family life. It covers topics such as human development, personal finance, consumer rights, housing and interior design, nutrition and cooking, and textiles and sewing. While less prevalent today, it was commonly taught in secondary or high schools.

1900: Growing Demand for Vocational Education

The dawn of the 20th century, 1900, witnessed a surge in demand for vocational education in the United States. This movement, however, exposed existing gender disparities, with home economics remaining largely female-dominated while women faced limited access to other vocational fields.

1900: Reifenstein Schools Concept

The turn of the century, 1900, saw the culmination of the Reifenstein schools concept, spearheaded by Ida von Kortzfleisch, a pioneering figure in German feminism. This initiative championed advanced education for women within the German Empire, focusing on practical skills and knowledge, a significant departure from traditional educational norms.

1908: International Federation for Home Economics

The International Federation for Home Economics was established in 1908, marking a significant step in fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange within the field. This event highlighted the growing international recognition of home economics and its importance in various cultures and societies.

1909: Founding of the American Home Economics Association

Ellen Swallow Richards, a prominent figure in the field, established the American Home Economics Association in 1909. This organization, later renamed the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, played a pivotal role in shaping the development and professionalization of home economics in the United States.

1913: Johannes Kramer's Doctoral Thesis

Johannes Kramer, in his 1913 doctoral dissertation, undertook a comparative analysis of global home economics education models. Kramer's work notably lauded the system implemented in Iowa, further solidifying its reputation as a leading model for home economics education.

1914: Smith-Lever Act

The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 secured federal funding for vocational education, including homemaking, significantly boosting home economics education in the US.

1917: Congressional Debates on Vocational Education

Between 1900 and 1917, the halls of Congress became a battleground for the future of American education as over 30 bills grappled with vocational training. This period highlighted the growing national conversation surrounding education reform and the role of practical skills development for young people.

1917: Smith-Hughes Act and the Office of Home Economics

Further solidifying federal support for vocational training, the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 allocated funds for "vocational education agriculture, trades and industry, and homemaking" and led to the establishment of the Office of Home Economics.

1920: First Practice Baby at Cornell University

In 1920, Cornell University introduced "Dicky Domecon," the first practice baby, to their home economics program. This marked the beginning of childcare practicums integrated into home economics courses across the nation.

1929: First College-Level Department of Family Science at Ewha Womans University

Ewha Womans University in Seoul took a pioneering step in 1929 by establishing the first college-level department dedicated to family science. This development marked a significant advancement for the field in South Korea, elevating it to a higher academic level.

1941: Death of Lady Rucker

Thereza Charlotte, Lady Rucker, a staunch advocate for household science education, passed away in 1941. Despite her efforts, Domestic Science struggled to gain widespread recognition as a university subject in England.

1945: Ada Gobetti's Vision for Post-War Housewives

In the aftermath of World War II, Ada Gobetti, in 1945, brought to light the challenges confronting housewives in a rapidly changing society. Gobetti envisioned a future where education and organization would empower women to navigate these transformations and redefine their roles within the family and society.

1945: Founding of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

Since its inception in 1945, the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) has provided students involved in Family and Consumer Sciences with opportunities to develop essential life skills through participation in events related to personal growth and career development.

1956: Shift in Educational Trends

In 1956, only 34.5% of college students were female, highlighting a societal norm where women primarily focused on homemaking.

1957: Conference on Home Economics in Bogor

A pivotal conference on home economics took place in Bogor in 1957, laying the groundwork for Indonesia's approach to the field. This event underscored the significance of home economics in national development.

1959: Decline of Full-Time Childcare Practicums

By 1959, the use of full-time childcare practicums, involving real infants, in home economics programs drastically declined to less than one percent.

1963: Vocational Education Act Promotes Inclusivity

The Vocational Education Act of 1963 expanded access to vocational training, including home economics, for both boys and girls, reflecting the growing movement for gender equality.

1963: Technical Applications in Italian Middle Schools

The year 1963 marked a turning point in Italian education with the introduction of "Technical Applications" as a subject, replacing traditional home economics. This shift, however, maintained a gender-based division, reflecting the prevailing societal norms of the time.

1964: Civil Rights Act Further Promotes Equality in Education

With the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, desegregation allowed men and women of all backgrounds to participate in home economics courses, fostering greater inclusivity and equal opportunities.

1971: Home Economics in the Irish Leaving Certificate

Ireland witnessed the inclusion of home economics in the senior cycle Leaving Certificate in 1971. This addition coincided with efforts to increase educational access by eliminating school fees, potentially impacting the subject's demographics and societal perception.

1972: Family Training and Welfare (PKK)

In 1972, Indonesia formally integrated home economics into its national framework through the establishment of "Family Training and Welfare," known as PKK. This move solidified the subject's role in Indonesian society.

1977: Technical Education in Italian Schools

Italy witnessed a significant step towards educational equality in 1977 when "Technical Education" replaced the gender-segregated "Technical Applications." This change represented a move towards a more inclusive educational system.

1990: Closure of Reifensteiner Verband

The Reifensteiner Verband, after nearly a century of influencing women's education, ceased operations in 1990. This closure marked the end of an era for this pioneering educational movement.

1994: Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)

In 1994, a shift occurred in the perception and labeling of home economics. Organizations, notably the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, embraced "Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)" as a more comprehensive term. This change acknowledged that the field's scope extended beyond the home environment, encompassing broader aspects of life and well-being.

1994: Home Economics Becomes Family and Consumer Sciences

In a move towards inclusivity and a broader scope, the name "home economics" was officially changed to "family and consumer sciences" in 1994 by the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.

1994: Formal Name Change to Family and Consumer Sciences

To better reflect the evolving nature of the field and its curriculum, 1994 marked the official renaming of "home economics" to "family and consumer sciences," reflecting a broader focus on relevant societal issues.

2011: Swedish School Reform and Home Economics

The Swedish school system underwent a significant transformation in 2011. As part of this reform, the home economics curriculum was restructured to align with contemporary societal needs. A greater emphasis was placed on areas such as health, economy, and environment, incorporating concepts like consumer economics and consumer awareness.

2012: Decline in FCS Enrollment

In 2012, only 3.5 million students enrolled in FCS secondary programs, marking a significant decrease of 38% over a decade and indicating a potential decline in the perceived value of these programs.

2014: Finnish National Core Curriculum for Basic Education

The Finnish National Core Curriculum for Basic Education in 2014 emphasized the critical role of home economics in achieving sustainable development. The curriculum highlighted the subject's relevance in addressing global challenges and promoting responsible practices across different aspects of life.

2015: Food and Nutrition Replaces Home Economics in UK Schools

The UK education system replaced the GCSE qualification of Home Economics with a new course titled "Food and Nutrition" in 2015. This change shifted the focus primarily towards the nutritional aspects of food, prioritizing its relationship to health and well-being.

2016: Increased Female Participation in Higher Education

By 2016, female college students made up 56.4% of enrollments, reflecting a significant shift towards women pursuing higher education and careers beyond traditional homemaking roles.

2020: Renewed Interest in FCS

Despite past declines, the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) reported an estimated 5 million students enrolled in FCS programs in 2020, signaling a resurgence of interest in these programs and their relevance to modern life skills.