MODULE 1

Introduction to Home
Economics
HOME ECONOMICS LITERACY

Lesson 1:
History, Philosophy, and Roles
in the Society
Prepared by:
ELLEN GRACE P. LORETE-AÑONUEVO, LPT
Instructor
 PREFACE
Home Economics (HE) is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and
management of the home and community. Home economics is a field of formal study including such topics
as consumer education, institutional management, interior design, home famishing, cleaning, handicrafts,
sewing, clothing and textiles, cooking, nutrition, food preservation, hygiene, child development, and family
relationships.

It prepares students for homemaking or professional careers. As a prospective teacher in Home

Economics, this Chapter will give you a review about the subject as one of the areas in the technical-
vocational track specifically in the Junior and Senior High. For those who have not taken the course in high
school, this course will give you a complete overview of HE and be able to appreciate the importance it
brings to the lives of future homemakers in the future.

This Chapter includes the concepts, principles, and philosophy of home economics, its importance
in the lives of people, the major changes brought about by home economics, and the different careers or
job opportunities it brings to individuals.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Acquire knowledge about the History of Home Economics.
2. Appreciate the philosophy in Home Economics literacy.
3. Realize the importance of Home Economics in the society.

LESSON PROPER
HOME ECONOMICS
Home Economics is a broad field of study. It teaches us how to manage ourselves, resources and
household. It therefore deals with material and non-material things in the family E.g people, money, food,
clothing, housing. It could be defined as a field of study that is concerned with improving family life.
MAJOR AREAS OF HOME ECONOMICS
Home Economics is made up of many areas. These areas are grouped into seven major areas:
1. Foods and Nutrition
2. Home Management
3. Clothing and Textile
4. Consumer Education
5. Housing and Interior Decoration
6. Child Development and Care
7. Family Living.
1. FOODS AND NUTRITION
It deals with the study of foods and nutrients. It includes food processing, preservation, food
preparation, meal management and service. It prepares people for employment in foods and nutrition
related jobs.
2. HOME MANAGEMENT
It deals with the processes of using those things which the family has to obtain, and things needed
by the family, Example of the things which family can have are money, time, energy, household equipment.
These things are called resources. The things which the family needs include food, clothing, house etc.
3. CLOTHING AND TEXTILE
It deals with textiles, designing and sewing clothes. It also includes wise selection of clothes,
personal hygiene and good grooming. It prepares people for clothing and textile related jobs.
4. CONSUMER EDUCATION
Consumer education teaches people how to make wise decision when selecting or buying goods
and services.
5. HOUSING AND INTERIOR DECORATION
It deals with provision of housing for the family. It also involves planning available space in a house,
selection and arrangement of pieces of furniture and other decorative pieces in the house.
6. CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND CARE
It deals with how children grow and develop. It also deals with how to care for children properly.
7. FAMILY LIVING
It deals with people that live in the family. It teaches people how to maintain good relationship in
the family.
IMPORTANCE OF HOME ECONOMICS
1. It teaches people how to live a good healthy and happy life in the family, community, and nation and in
the world.
2. It prepares boys and girls for home making and the jobs that require Home Economics knowledge.
3. It teaches people how to care for themselves.
4. It teaches people how to care for their homes.
5. It teaches family members how to get along very well with one another in family and society.
6. It teaches people how to spend their money wisely.
7. It teaches people how to plan, cook, serve and eat good food.
8. It teaches people how to plan, choose, make wears and maintain good clothing.

LESSON 1: HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, AND ROLES IN THE SOCIETY

HISTORY OF HOME ECONOMICS
 Although principles of domesticity were being taught as early as the mid-19th century, the term
“home economics” was not applied to this area of study until the early 20th century. An increasingly
literate population and the greater availability of printed materials in the 19th century catalyzed the
consumption of literature on homemaking.
 In 1862, the Morrill Act was passed, establishing land-grant colleges in each state that were open
to women, and that were mandated to foster research and instruction in practical areas of
endeavor. At this time, the application of scientific theories and techniques modernized activities
associated with home economics, such as cooking, laundry, sewing, housecleaning, care of the
sick, and sanitation. This in turn led to the implementation of courses in “domestic science” at the
end of the nineteenth century.
 In 1899, with the establishment of the Lake Placid Conferences, the term “home economics” was
decided upon and activists began to call for the teaching of home economics in schools across the
country. In 1908, conference participants formed the American Home Economics Association
which went on to lobby federal and state governments for funding to facilitate the research and
teaching of home economics.
 In 1917, the Smith-Hughes Act mandated an emphasis on and provided funding for occupational
preparation in home economics classes. Although this act undermined and codified gender roles in
the field of home economics, it also established an important link between the federal government
and the field of home economics which “sought to elevate and enlarge women’s roles in the home
and in society” (Stage 79).
 The study of home economics aimed to “prepare student[s] for effective discharge of duties within
the home and give scientific preparation for efficient administration of household affairs” (Calvin 1).
Home economics also gained popularity in response to the perceived breakdown in society in the
early 1900’s as a result of urbanization, industrialization, and immigration.
 The Vocational Education Act of 1963 diminished the funding that the field had been receiving from
the Smith-Hughes Act. Funding was only to be provided for home economics education that leads
to gainful employment. Relatedly, in the 1960s and 1970s, home economics came under fire with
changing societal norms for women at home and in the workplace. Many schools dropped these
programs and in some cases the educators of this profession were criticized for their lack of
sympathy towards modern feminism. However, home economics legitimately created opportunities
for women and greatly impacted American society, creating vocational and economic opportunities
for women and educating boys and men about domestic skills.
HOME ECONOMICS PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy of a discipline is dynamic in accordance with trends in societal values – i.e. the rapidly
changing state of development of the society motivates the derivation of new philosophy of Home
Economics. Motivating factors (values) are responsible for the need for re-statement of the philosophy of
Home Economics at different era. In a latter section of this course the historical development of Home
Economics will be discussed.
It suffices for now to say that the philosophy of Home Economics at an earlier stage is shown to be
that of acquiring knowledge and competence in the arts of cookery, child care, housekeeping and
handcrafting for girls in preparation for good home making.
Philosophy of Home Economics has shifted largely from this simple definition to a high level of
professionalism. Let us consider these factors which have motivated derivation of new philosophy for Home
Economics:
1. Knowledge of nutrition as a science with enormous implication for healthful living has made knowledge in
physical and life sciences inevitable in Home Economics curriculum.
2. Shift in the society from settlements of small communities to more complex urban dwellings calls for
change in housing design and land-space management.
3. Human movements for business or leisure have been on the increase, creating need for institutional
outfits mimicking home environment “a home away from home”, e.g. hotels, hostels and hospitals.
4. More and more people eat away from home either as necessitated by long uninterrupted work hours
away from home, or for the pleasure it creates, creating a conducive atmosphere for interpersonal business
or social relationships, or just to break the monotony of “home cooking”. Adequate preparation in
institutional food management will be required this wise.
5. Technology has facilitated domestic tasks – the Home Economist must be competent in the knowledge
of operation and maintenance of domestic and institutional equipment.
6. Improvement of the socio-economic status of most cultures has been reflected in their change of taste
for higher aesthetic and functional values for clothing, housing designs and interior designs.
7. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has globalized information and ideas, and exposure to
experiences, all of which have impacted standards of the society. Discovering the changing needs of
industries, families, and societies and means of satisfying these needs has necessitated venturing into
scientific research in Home Economics.
8. As more and more women get engaged outside the home impartation of early childhood education has
shifted on alternate institutions, a phenomenon demanding knowledge of child care and development by
the Home Economist.
ROLE OF HOME ECONOMICS IN THE SOCIETY
There exist a direct correspondence between home economics and national development stemming from
shared goals.
 The goal and true measure of development is the improvement of the quality of life of the people.
Likewise, home economics studies families for the purpose of equipping them to improve their lives.
 Focusing on basic needs and broadening its scope through its integrative perspective and
approach on all aspects of family living for a better life, home economics has a vital position in
national development.
 As a catalyst for change towards national development, home economics tries to maintain a stable
rate of change for progress while initiating changes and helping families adapt to these changes.
The contributions of home economics to the development agenda of the country are extensive.
 Home economics relate to almost all the sectoral strategies planned to achieve the desired
development tar-gets by 1998. Knowing and understanding its position in affecting national
development,
 Home economics should enjoy the prominence it so richly deserves.” But however great and grand
the role appears to be, it only becomes valid by what we do to actualize it.
 The role lives in us. In the final analysis, what people will see and remember is not the role and
contribution of the discipline of home economics but our individual role and contribution as home
economists in making life better for all.

ACTIVITY 1:
Direction: Prepare a timeline for the history of home economics by presenting the different events that
happened in chronological order. Consider the following elements:
 Year
 Event
 Persons Involved
 Places where the event happened

ACTIVITY 2:
Direction: Answer the given questions.
1. What is the importance of Home Economics in the lives of the people and the community?
2. What are the major changes in the community brought about by Home Economics?
3. How does Home Economics contribute to the country’s economic development?
REFERENCE:
Food Standards. (2019a). Home-based food businesses.
[Link]

Prepared by:

ELLEN GRACE P. LORETE-AÑONUEVO, LPT

BTVTEd Instructor

Noted:

JELLY M. FLORES, EdD-CAR

BTVTEd, Program Head

Approved:

EDWINA N. SERGIO, Ed.D.

OIC-College Administrator