Changes in Family & Consumer Sciences

1. Changes in Family & Consumer Sciences Information gathered by Lucy Campanis Revised by Mikki Meadows EIU School of Family & Consumer Sciences

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 1920’s Societal Conditions • Decade of prosperity for majority population • Energy conservation • 19th Amendment • Focus on home activities and family

6. 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

7. 1930’s Societal Conditions • The Great Depression • growing social concerns • Economic recovery • Increased materialistic attitudes • Electrification

8. 1930’s Professional 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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”

16. 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

17. 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

18. 1980’s Professional Emphasis • Professional certification began • Reconceptualization of the discipline • Increased activity in public policy • Emphasis on family and work issues

19. 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

20. 1990’s Professional Emphasis • Name change to Family and Consumer Sciences • Family issues • Recruitment to meet increasing teacher shortage

21. 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