Home Economics

I think it was Domestic Science in my day but is now known as Home Economics. Is this a compulsory subject for girls in school nowadays? If not surely it should be.

One thing I have noticed among the young women of today is their total lack of domestic skills. Some of their cooking skills extend solely to pot noodles, they can't knit or sew a button and couldn't iron a pair of socks. A whole generation seems to have lost sight of their primary domestic duties and their need to excel at them. I shudder when I think of the many poor young men who left home after marriage and found that their bride was not a patch on Mammy.

Hard to work out if this is down to that feminism thing where they want equality or if it is down to sheer laziness. The feminism thing is just gone crazy. I mean they have the vote so what's the problem? I suspect it may be laziness of sorts. Surely the answer is to make it compulsory for both the Junior and Leaving Cert? And if you fail then you have to repeat - even if you got As in maths, physics etc.

It might suprise you but they don't actually teach us how to iron. Home ec is basically a mix of science and business on a large part. Like we have to learn all about the consumer and stuff, and we have to learn all about human biology and some plant biology. Meal planning, special diets and the nutrients are all food studies. Human resources is all about the running of the home basically (room planning, home safety etc). It's the craic really.


Should it not be made compulsary for boys and optional for girls would be my thinking, as it is evident from every home ec class that you walk in to that the girls are far superior to the boys at it and in this age of equality should all boys not be given the same oppertunities as girls to get their home running skills on a par with their female counterparts?

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:Like we have to learn all about the consumer and stuff, and we have to learn all about human biology and some plant biology. Meal planning, special diets and the nutrients are all food studies. Human resources is all about the running of the home basically (room planning, home safety etc).

Jaysus things are gone mad as I suspected. Diets and nutrients me ****! Plant biology - ye'll be talking to them next!

Why would the lads need to do it if ye learned it - as it was and it should be from the beginning to the end. Ironing is a vital skill for a young women. Shirts must be crisp and uncreased and hubby must look well. A feed of spuds (with steak/bacon and 2 veg takes care of any nutrients - never mind diets. Room planning??? Just put the stuff wherever he tells ya ...

Ah ... the good old days ......


The Good Wife's Guide
From Housekeeping Monthly, 13 May, 1955.

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
Be happy to see him.
Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
A good wife always knows her place.

That was on my birthday 40 years before I was born

Tis a sign so ......

Sandwich anyone?

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:I

Should it not be made compulsary for boys and optional for girls would be my thinking, as it is evident from every home ec class that you walk in to that the girls are far superior to the boys at it and in this age of equality should all boys not be given the same oppertunities as girls to get their home running skills on a par with their female counterparts?

Not of much use of a Christmas eve when the central heating boiler seizes up......knowing the proper method for cooking noodles isn't worth a stocking of sh1te at that stage.....

Its about as useful as being able to program a computer or add up money, not too many modern men would really be able to fix a central heating system, well not any better than your average woman could.