ArizonaKAT

Why has home ec. lost it popularity in schools? I spoke to a Walmart employee this weekend while I was purchasing material and commented that I should start sewing classes in our little town.

She said young girls come in to Walmart regularly asking her if she knew of somewhere they could go to learn to sew.

sandybeach

Because the girls in their mother's generation thought it was enough just to work. God forbid they be asked to work and take care of a household. And if there are children, well then you want them to do WHAT? Most of the younger girls I know (and I'm talking 30's and 40's) don't even know how to iron.

dixie_fried

You're painting with a pretty broad brush there. I turn 40 in a few days.
I have a family--3 fabulous kids who are creative and bright, a career--been a nurse for more than half my life, hobbies I love--sewing, quilting, painting, photography, many friends I like to entertain and you can actually walk thru my house without sticking to the floor.
It's possible to balance it all.

To the OP, sewing classes would be a great way to give back to your community. I still remember things taught to me by my home ec teacher, and I often imagine she'd be proud of how much of her teaching I carry with me to this day.

An Arm Long

I worked and I sewed for my 2 daughters. They took home ec. and did not like it. Now they are asking me to teach them to sew! They both have quilts and all my grandchildren do too. I got them both sewing machines as gifts and now they want to use them, but distance and time on my part make that difficult.

Scissor Queen

Mostly because of economics. It's an expensive classroom to maintain. It's not something the state tests. Home ec cut into academic time. Sports are deemed more important. It was seen as sexist. It's not seen as a college or workforce skill.

auntpiggylpn

Do they still have wood shop? When I was in Middle school (long time a go!), the girls took home ec and the boys took wood shop. It wasn't until I was in High School that Home Ec was an elective.

Scissor Queen

I doubt it. Wood shop would have the added safety issues.

jeemmerling621

We don't have home ec. or woods hop where I'm from. Some schools offer a "college preparation" where they teach you to cook, clean, self defense, etc. and others offer a "life skills" class where they teach you financial preparation skills. Both of these classes are electives and can only be taken junior and senior year.

I don't think balancing a home and work life is very difficult. I go to college full time and while I don't have children, I still maintain the responsability of "housewife". I just have to prioritize my day.

Tartan

I think most school systems are having trouble funding just the basics. The " extras" are the first to go. Unfortunately all the arts are suffering and I feel sorry for the children.

BellaBoo

My niece's home ex class was a joke. She had to bring food from home to learn to cook it! No cooking tools were available, just random kitchen stuff. Boys were in the class and they thought it was funny to keep breaking the machine needles! The teacher had no control over the class at all. This is in the best school district in the town that has a high rating (the kids can pass Benchmark). I was asked to volunteer to help with the sewing. I was no allowed to make the class come to some kind of discipline order. I left after two days. My niece was so disappointed in the class. Theses kids acted like it was a joke. They took the class as it was labeled 'an easy do nothing class'. The school admin. didn't care about home ec. But boy is that football team decked out in new uniforms, playing on a new field. If you haven't visited a school in the last five years, you'll never believe what is going on.