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Traditionally Home science is conceptualized as the primary and indispensable training for running a home. In olden days its importance was not stressed upon it as a subject which deals with qualitative life. But factually, it is the systematic arrangement, both mentally and physically for running individual homes which would ultimately result in the peace, progress of the human community.
For a lay person Home Science seems to mean cooking, stitching and decorating the home. But in reality Home Science is much more than these. It is a subject that teaches the science and art of performing homemaking tasks and attending to household chores. At the same time it also prepares for various vocations.
In recent years home science education is developed as life science in all perspectives of academics i.e., teaching, research and extension. An attempt is made here to clarify the traditional concept in relation to recent development.
1. Traditional concept: Home Science only teaches cooking, stitching, home decoration and child care.
Fact: None can deny the fact that food, shelter and clothing are the basic needs of daily life. Home Science includes these aspects with an emphasis on building scientific knowledge.
For example, eating food is not just to satisfy hunger, but to meet the nutritional requirements of the body that contribute to promotion of growth and development, provide energy for doing various activities and for regulating various body functions.
This is learnt in one of the areas of Home Science. The aspect of cooking that is taught under the subject of Home Science deals with principles and methods of cooking for preventing loss of nutrients and adding variety, balance and nourishment in the diet. So the fact is that though Home Science teaches cooking, it is based on the science and art of cooking. Similarly, there can be numerous examples to support the relationship of science and art. The study about clothing, grooming, personality development, personal and environmental hygiene, management of resources like time, money and energy; care of children and elderly one can find that the principles of science are deep rooted in Home Science. They help to build scientific temperament for its application in daily life. Thus Home Science caters to betterment of mankind and improves homemaking skills.
2. Traditional concept: Home Science is meant for girls because they have to manage the home in later life.
Fact: Today, there is a predominance of the nuclear family structure. The man and the woman share responsibilities. Moreover, the number of wage earning homemakers is gradually increasing which means that there is pressure of dual responsibility on
women. In other words we can say that the woman combines her homemaking responsibilities with generating income for the family. Under such conditions, the work load of women should be shared by the men. Home Science orients and prepares both men and women to deal with various aspects of life. It is therefore wrong to say that Home Science is meant for girls alone. The mindset has to be changed and accept Home Science is beneficial for boys also.
3. Traditional concept: Why study Home Science when girls can learn homemaking skills from their mother?
Fact: Girls do learn many homemaking skills from their mother but by studying the subject of Home Science they can find answers to why, how and when of doing these activities.
For example, why is oil used for making pickle? A layman’s answer will be to preserve the pickle. But how does oil preserve the pickle? In Home Science you will learn that oil prevents the direct contact of air with the preserved item like mango and prevents spoilage. Such numerous examples and scientific reasoning can be found through study of Home Science. Therefore, the fact is that though we learn many things from our mother, supplementing these with scientific reasoning helps us to do things in a more organised manner and helps in moulding oneself as professionals.
4. Traditional concept: Home Science does not offer attractive job opportunities.
Fact: A variety of job opportunities in different areas of Home Science are available. There is no other subject that opens up the avenues for such a variety of jobs. Moreover, Home Science also prepares for self-employment or for starting small enterprises.
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