“Hey, Mom, do we have a double boiler?” my 12-year-old son asked me recently.
“Umm…no,” I replied, struggling to recall what a double boiler even is and whether I’d ever used one. “I think you can just create one using a pot and a mixing bowl… or something?”
“Oh, okay,” he said. “But we should really think about getting one. We made brownies from scratch in F.A.C.S. today, and actually melting real chocolate made them so delicious!”
F.A.C.S, short for Family and Consumer Sciences, is the contemporary version of Home Economics that my son has been taking this semester at middle school. He comes home almost every day with stories about new tasty dishes he’s prepared, the “cool” cooking tools he’s used, or amusing tales from his adventures in measuring, mixing, cooking, and cleaning.
When I found out that my son’s school mandates all seventh graders to take Home Ec, I rolled my eyes. In my own middle school experience, Home Ec felt like a joke—a “blow-off” class that no one took seriously. Although both girls and boys participated back then, I remember my mom saying it was once deemed a girls-only course, which made me label it as totally sexist.
I assumed my son, who is more interested in math and video games than kitchen chores, would share my sentiments. Surprisingly, however, his F.A.C.S. class has become a highlight of his day, and he’s picking up valuable life skills—skills that will serve him well beyond middle school.
Beyond mastering how to use a double boiler, he’s learning how to read recipes, prepare the stove for cooking, properly measure ingredients, crack an egg (a big deal for him, since he previously resisted my attempts to teach him!), follow recipes accurately, and most importantly, clean up after himself.
Moreover, he collaborates with classmates on cooking projects, fostering teamwork and communication skills. He’s mentioned that respectful interaction is emphasized just as much as teamwork in executing recipes. After this unit, they’ll explore topics like etiquette, nutrition, and career paths. And yes, they’ll even tackle some sewing projects on a real sewing machine!
I am absolutely thrilled about this. These are essential skills that all kids should learn (even sewing comes in handy!), and many are things I haven’t adequately taught him. Sure, I occasionally coax him into helping with dinner or washing a few dishes, but he doesn’t navigate the kitchen as well as he should.
Ironically, while domestic tasks seem like a chore to him at home, they become exciting when taught at school. Who knew?
With the current academic pressures, I’m grateful my son has a hands-on class like this in his schedule. It’s not only beneficial for practical life applications, but it also provides a much-needed break from the stress of other subjects.
Interestingly, my son’s school is part of a dwindling group still offering Home Ec. According to NPR, the number of schools providing Home Ec has plummeted; from 2002 to 2012, the figure dropped by 38%. This decline is attributed to fewer teachers entering the family and consumer science field and budget cuts that favor academic subjects over “life skills” classes.
Gayla Randal, an educational consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education, noted, “Society couldn’t get over the stereotype of the home economics teacher. Anything that wasn’t about a test score was scrutinized,” referencing the No Child Left Behind initiative and the rise of standardized testing.
Yet, educators and parents alike agree that Home Ec imparts crucial skills for becoming a competent adult. In my opinion, “life skills” are just as vital in education as learning algebra. How often do you really use algebra in daily life? But I bet you’ve tackled kitchen tasks today.
Clearly, many kids are missing out on basic skills. “We sometimes assume children know how to wash dishes,” Susan Turgeson, president of the Association of Teacher Educators for family and consumer sciences, remarked. “I never thought I’d have to explain how to put in the drain plug or the right amount of soap.”
My son has no idea what a drain plug is or how to soak dishes.
As a mother of two boys, I believe it’s crucial they learn these skills. I appreciate that Home Ec is a required, graded subject at my son’s school, emphasizing that domestic skills are just as important as any other academic discipline.
I refuse to raise boys who can’t cook a decent meal, operate a stove, or wash the dishes. NO WAY.
So let’s advocate for the revival of Home Ec everywhere! Thankfully, we’ve moved beyond the notion that only girls should learn these skills. If these are abilities everyone should possess, then let’s teach them to all!
Our kids will benefit as students, adults, partners, future parents, and responsible citizens.
This article was originally published on Oct. 10, 2019.
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Summary
Home Economics, or Family and Consumer Sciences, is a vital class that teaches children essential life skills like cooking, teamwork, and cleaning. Despite its decline in schools, it remains crucial for developing well-rounded individuals. Encouraging the revival of Home Ec will better prepare our children for adulthood and improve their everyday lives.
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