-
1800s Society
Women were expected to be homemakers and get married and have children at young ages. Men were expected to work and find an obedient wife. If not, this was socially deviant behavior. Additionally, schooling was mostly only up to an 8th grade education. Teaching was a primarily female occupation. -
Catharine Esther Beecher
Catharine Esther Beecher was an American educator who wrote over fifty textbooks involving subjects in Family and Consumer Science. She was a strong advocate for including kindergarten in children's standard education. Died: May 12, 1878, Elmira, NY
Founded: Hartford Female Seminary, The American Woman's Educational Association -
Justin Smith Morrill
Justin Smith Morrill was a Vermont-born politician known for the Morrill Land-Grant Acts. He was one of the founders of the Republican Party. Died: December 28, 1898, Washington, D.C.
Education: Thetford Academy
Spouse: Ruth Barrell Swan Morrill (m. 1851)
Children: Justin Harris Morrill, James Swan Morrill -
Ellen Swallow Richards
Ellen Swallow Richards was one of the country's first environmentalists, the first female graduate of MIT, and the founder of home economics (later to be known as Family and Consumer Science). Died: March 30, 1911, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA
Spouse: Robert Hallowell Richards (m. 1875–1911)
Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Westford Academy, Vassar College -
Robert Hallowell Richards
Robert Hallowell Richards was the husband of Ellen Richards. He was chairman of MIT’s mining engineering department and supported his wife's ambitions, making him an ally to the field of Family and Consumer Science. Died: March 27, 1945
Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology -
Morrill Act of 1862
The Morrill Act allows for the creation of land-grant colleges in U.S. states using the proceeds of federal land sales. Land-grant universities in Arkansas include the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. -
Chicago World's Fair
The Chicago World's fair celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World in 1492. Ellen Richards attended and sold lunches complete with calories per serving, showing the importance of nutrition and nutrients. This was known as the Rumford Kitchen, which she designed. -
Lake Placid Conferences
The first meeting of contemporaries in the field of home economics was held at the Lake Placid Club in 1899. These conferences were conducted to meet and talk about the latest advances in the subject. -
AHEA
The American Home Economics Association was founded by Ellen Richards to network professionals in the field. Since 1994, it is now known as the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. -
Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins was a democratic politician of the House of Representatives who is well-known within the field of Family and Consumer Science for the Carl Perkins Act (2006). Died: August 3, 1984, Lexington, KY
Education: Brandeis School of Law (1935), Alice Lloyd College
Children: Chris Perkins -
Smith Lever Act of 1914
The Smith Lever Act of 1914 extended outreach programs through land-grant universities to educate rural Americans about advances in agricultural practices and technology. Thus, American agricultural productivity dramatically rose throughout the 20th century. -
Smith Hughes Act of 1917
The Smith Hughes Act of 1917 provided federal funds to support the teaching of agricultural classes, increasing awareness to fields in Family and Consumer Science. -
FHA
Future Homemakers of America was founded in 1945 at a convention in Chicago, Illinois by Janet Barber and Edna P. Amidon. The name was later changed to Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America in 1999. It is a student organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education through grades 6-12. -
Vocational Education Acts of 1963
The Vocational Education Act of 1963 expanded the role of vocational education. Funding was increased, showing the importance of Family and Consumer Science. -
Vocational Amendment of 1968 & 1973
The Vocational Education Amendments of 1968 and 1973 extend the work of the 1963 amendments and included funding for at-risk or disabled students. -
Vocational Amendment of 1976
The Vocational Amendment of 1976 was enacted to eliminate gender bias, stereotyping, and discrimination in vocational education. It requires states receiving federal funding for vocational education to develop these activities. -
Name Change
The field of Home Economics officially becomes known as Family and Consumer Science. The name change is meant to represent the many diverse fields of study that the subject encompasses. -
Carl Perkins Act
The Carl Perkins Act provides funding for Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and job training for students, and charges states with setting and making progress on their CTE goals. -
Job Market
Specific jobs in Family and Consumer Science include: a Child Life Specialist, Home Economist, Store Manager, Clothing Specialist, Home Management Advisor, Teacher, Hotel Manager, Textile Designer, Consultant, Human Development Consultant, and Textile Laboratory Technician. The fashion industry alone is a 400 billion dollar a year market with 4+ million jobs. -
Modern-day
Family and Consumer Science is offered as a field of study in most universities, and is open to all genders. Also, it is more widely perceived as being more than just cooking or sewing. It is recognized as encompassing many areas of interest, including but not limited to: interior design, fashion, finance, and nutrition. -
References
