My attention has been drawn to Home Economics at Brescia twice over the past little while – two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with several women who are very involved with Home Economics associations and teaching in local high schools and who are interested in developing synergies between what high school students want to pursue and what we are offering in the way of courses and programs. I think that conversation was still percolating in my mind during a few days off over March Break, only to find myself facing the same discussion again on the cover of the Today section in yesterday’s London Free Press, “Smart money’s on home ec: The need to teach basic life skills is back on the table.” Over my morning coffee, I was pleased to see a picture of two lab-coated Brescia students working in our food lab, with a great article on the resurgent interest in this field of study.
I was never the “Becky Homecky” referred to in the LFP article; in fact, I’m a bit embarrassed to say that the blue poplin peasant skirt that was assigned as my Grade Nine Home Ec project in 1980 remains in a bag, totally unfinished, stored in our basement somewhere. Of course, rather than feeling deflated that I never finished the skirt, I wonder instead how it has managed to survive countless house moves since Grade Nine. Perhaps it’s time to clean out the basement properly!
In my meeting two weeks ago, one of the things mentioned by Diane O’Shea, the Head of Family Studies at Medway High School, is that students are anxious to study the lost art of home economics. While some of those students may feel a strong urge to become trained home economists, Diane explained, the majority of those high school students are more intent on seeking life skills. It used to be (read: “back in the day…”) that young people were taught many of the basics of independent living by their parents or grandparents. That included skills like safe and healthy food preparation, balancing a cheque book, creating a budget, and effective parenting skills. Now, our millennial generation seems to have missed out on those crucial life skills and students are recognizing it as they move through their teenage years in preparation for leaving the nest. It has fallen on our secondary schools to pick up the slack on this set of skills as the role of the family has shifted over the years with parents working and grandparents less likely to form part of the immediate family unit.
And when I turn my focus to the Brescia students I have met who are studying Family Studies or Food and Nutritional Sciences or some combination thereof, I am amazed by the degree to which the sciences have been integrated into these fields, leading to professionals who are ready to battle major issues such as childhood obesity, financial illiteracy, nutrition in the developing world, and diabetes. As much as it is falling on secondary schools and, to a growing degree, universities and colleges to ‘fill the gaps’ in community education, I remain impressed by the extent to which the current generation of students is well aware of what it is lacking and taking the necessary steps to remedy that.
When my lovely blue skirt got too difficult to finish, I neatly folded it, tried to avoid punctures from one of the million pins poking out of it, and never picked up a needle or thread again. It never occurred to me to take further steps to supplement my own lack of skills and knowledge in an area that felt overwhelming. Much has been said about the current generation that is unflattering and, to a large degree, unfounded. They are the ‘trophy kids,’ not willing to work for what they want and expecting a gold star, ‘just for showing up.’ Looking at the resurgence of Home Economics in our high schools and of its related fields of Family Studies and Food & Nutrition at Brescia, it occurs to me that this generation could teach us something about critical self-analysis and commitment. I look forward to future blogs about the millennial generation, but the more time I spend with members of this cohort, the more I am amazed by their collective fortitude and dogged determination to get to where they think they need to be.
2 Responses
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Diane O'Shea Says:
In doing the Brescia Market on Tuesdays, Mike and Jeremy – and others who have helped them from time to time – have been so impressed by the Brescia students and their attitude and interest in food and nutrition and especially local food. Even today our helper Tammy had a most insightful conversation with a student about the origins of our food and an appreciation for what it takes to grow, produce and market something that we take so for granted. One of Mike’s helpers has told Mike on several occasions that his day with Mike at Brescia renewed his faith in today’s young people!
On another note, Dr. Hanycz, my first sewing project, is likewise stored somewhere in my home – having survived several moves. Those precious pink and white striped pyjamas are a reminder to me about my first lifeskills experience and the patience of my two 4H leaders who inspired me to pursue Home Economics and then Family Studies. There were many tears shed over those pyjamas but the clincher came when I tried to pink the seams (after the fact, of course) and cut a good size hole in the pant leg!! How could I ever throw those out!
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Jennifer McLaren Says:
When I was growing up I was fortunate enough to have a mother who was a natural home economist. She taught me where my food came from by taking me to U-Picks on summer weekends. She showed me how to bake apple pies, pickle beets and can food for the winter. I always won best Halloween costume at my school with my homemade outfit and knew how to cost food and manage money. I took all of this for granted until I moved out on my own and realized that none of my friends knew how to cook, fix lost buttons on clothing or pay bills. Why don’t we know these basic life survival skills anymore?
Of course, Home Economics is much broader than cooking and sewing. It is hands on, practical knowledge that has far reaching benefits. It can improve quality of life, self sufficiency, ability to provide proper nutrition to oneself and ones family, make ones wallet a little heavier and sustain the environment – and this is just a short list. Home Economics also has an important role to play in today’s world and this is being reflected in the increasing focus on “back to basics” living.
I think that the most important aspect about Home Economics for me is how it brings families together. I realize now, that my mom and I were doing more than just baking pies, we were creating memories.