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10,000 BCE
Agricultural Revolution
The shift to farming led to permanent settlements and structured family units. Families managed land, livestock, and food storage, creating the first long-term resource planning systems. The development of inheritance reinforced patriarchal structures, with men controlling family resources. -
3000 BCE
Early Civilizations
In Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, laws formalized family roles and economic responsibilities. The Roman principle of paterfamilias gave male heads of households complete authority over finances and decision-making. Families managed household labor, slaves, and land, ensuring economic stability across generations. -
1500
Early Modern Period
As trade expanded, family-based economies shifted toward commerce and skilled labor. Families in Europe and colonial America practiced resource management through apprenticeships, household production, and early financial planning. Marriage remained an economic arrangement, with property and wealth being key considerations. -
Industrial Revolution
Urbanization and factory work separated home and labor, altering family dynamics. Men worked in industries while women managed household resources, including budgeting, child-rearing, and food preparation. The concept of "separate spheres" emerged, reinforcing gender roles in family resource management. The rise of consumer goods also changed household spending habits. -
Ellen Swallow Richards and the Birth of Home Economics
Richards pioneered the application of science to household management, emphasizing sanitation, nutrition, and budgeting. She founded the home economics movement, influencing formal education in family resource management. Her work helped establish home management as an academic discipline, laying the foundation for modern financial and resource planning in households. -
Early 20th Century & The Great Depression
Economic hardship forced families to prioritize budgeting, frugality, and efficient resource use. Government programs like the New Deal provided financial relief, shaping how families managed unemployment, food rationing, and household spending. Women took on more economic responsibilities, including informal labor and home-based production. -
World War II & Women in the Workforce
With men away at war, women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, temporarily shifting traditional family roles. After the war, economic prosperity led to increased consumerism, suburbanization, and new household technologies that influenced family resource management. The idealized nuclear family emerged, reinforcing traditional gender roles but within a new economic landscape. -
Post-War Boom & Consumer Culture
Economic growth and the rise of consumer credit led families to manage resources through home ownership, savings accounts, and long-term financial planning. Dual-income households became more common, requiring new approaches to budgeting and time management. The feminist movement of the 1960s–70s challenged traditional financial control within families, advocating for women’s financial independence. -
Technological Advancements & Changing Family Structures
The rise of computers, online banking, and credit cards revolutionized family financial management. Economic globalization influenced employment trends, forcing families to adapt to new work-life balances. Divorce rates increased, leading to more single-parent households managing resources independently. Families also began incorporating sustainability into resource management, focusing on energy efficiency and long-term savings. -
Digital Age & Work-From-Home Trends
Remote work, gig economy jobs, and digital budgeting tools transformed family resource management. Mobile apps and financial software allowed for real-time tracking of household expenses. Families diversified income streams, balancing traditional jobs with freelancing and side businesses. Environmental concerns further influenced household spending and resource use.