Concept of Home Science

CONCEPT OF HOME SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION

A plan of teaching Home Science must begin with an understanding of the discipline of home science. What is needed is a simple, direct explanation of the relevance and significance of home science in the modern context.

People often ask how home science is associated with the home. This question brings out the basic premises upon which the discipline of home science is built. The science of the home is concerned with the maintenance and enrichment of human relationships through the development and judicious use of all available human and material resources to achieve a maximal satisfying life for all members of the family.

Home science education prepares youth for the greatest of all vocation - Home Making. It orients young girls and boys towards preparation for several professions- teaching, nursing, dietetics, research, welfare, management, art application, extension work and communication.

There are several ways of managing homes. Men as well as women have played the roles of breadwinners and homemakers. It has become necessary for men to share housework, to enable women as professional persons to contribute to the nation.

It advocates that

Home is a place for development of both sexes through equal opportunities.

The personal and professional development of both sexes is possible within the home.

The roles and norms for both sexes pertain to their personal and professional lives. Therefore the imbalance between the roles of man and woman must be avoided.

The single dimensional role of woman as a home-maker produces constraints for women's development, society and individuals have changed and therefore the women's lopsided role of a home maker, needs to be fused with professional roles.

All knowledge applied are fundamental, which can be used to liberate women and men from undue pressure within and without the home, is the content of Home Science.

The goal of home science education is to help each individual to live more useful and satisfying personal, family and community life.

General education aims at the all-round development of individuals to enable them to take their places in society as effective members. In the development of their abilities, emphasis is placed on personal development for living in a social group. The functional philosophy of education calls for 'Preparation for living through living'.

Home science helps to fulfill these purposes in a unique way. It helps pupils to develop a point of view that challenges them to explore how to live together happily in their families, other social groups and communities.

Home science aims to achieve family happiness, raise its moral standards and improves its economic conditions and these objectives are to be achieved by fully allowing the man as well as the woman to develop personally and professionally.

Home is a place where life begins and school is the place where formal education begins. Hence what has been generated at home can be further enriched at school.

Following are the reasons for introducing Home Science at Secondary School Level.

Secondary stage of education is the stage where young learners become of educable age and are sensitively aware of homes and families and are in need of emotional security, acceptance and feelings of belongingness. The study of home science can strengthen this emotional security and develop commitment and loyalty to the family.

This provides the opportunities to students to identify themselves in their own family, community and nation through identifying their responsibilities, roles and resources.

The formation of habits and practices regarding eating, health, cleanliness, home making, dressing, parts of the body and sex, different stages in life etc are imparted in the school through this course.

All skills required by individuals to communicate to others and be well placed in the society is possible only through home science

Many boys and girls take interest in interior designing, architectural work, stitching, cooking etc and home science will help these students in fulfilling their desires.

Many are compelled to terminate their formal education at the secondary stage. A course in home science ensures that students can take up many careers even at this age, since they are well equipped with information needed for this.

Students with an inclination for service to the needy can do community work to the best of their abilities, since home science gives them the opportunity to use varied extension methods and audio / visual aids.

Home Science in a well-expanded discipline at college and university levels, Students, passing out from Higher Secondary Levels can opt for specialization offered.

Having understood the concept of Home Science, let us look into the origin of home science in India and the beginning of the Home Science Association of India.