Home economics literacy : what it is and where it’s going

Abstract

Home Economics is back! Smart money management, healthy eating, efficient use of energy and water, responsible child rearing, active aging…these are just some of the skill sets which governments are asking from their citizens. And where these skills are lacking, policymakers are taking action to educate. Consciously, and sometimes less consciously, becoming Home Economics (HE) literate is being seen as one strategy which can assist in creating healthier, more productive and creative individuals who strive for a sustainable quality of life. HE literacy is defined as the amalgam of multiple literacies, including food, health, financial, consumer and environmental literacy. Its purpose is to enable individuals as family members, responsible consumers and global citizens to make informed choices and opt for appropriate behaviours in order to safeguard and enhance personal, family and community wellbeing. HE is taught as a timetabled school subject in many countries around the world. It is also finding its way into lifelong learning courses and the mass media. Taking Malta as a case study, this paper will present how what was considered an old-fashioned girls’ subject for a few decades at the end of the 20th century, is slowly being remodelled to offer a gender sensitive education with a life skill, vocational and entrepreneurial orientation. It will give an overview of recent developments in HE curricula and provision at different levels of schooling and within the community. It will also show how, true to its origins, HE education is taking a practical, problem-solving, active learning approach, enabling learners of different ages to make wise choices which will facilitate adoption of more sustainable lifestyles. Finally, this paper will also argue for a broader understanding of the role of HE in education for hope, happiness and harmonious living.