Philosophy in general and definition of philosophy as applicable to discipline or profession. Philosophy is the statements that guide the training and practice of a discipline.
In this article and the next we will focus specifically on the philosophy and objectives of Home Economics.
We
shall consider the specific objectives of Home Economics. These objectives are
derivable from the philosophy of Home Economics. Philosophy of an individual or
a discipline is not static but is subject to change. The motivating factors to
the involvement of the philosophy of Home Economics will be discussed. We will also
consider the limitations and factors that pose challenges to the full
implementation of Home Economics in Nigeria and other developing countries.
Need for Statement of Philosophy of Home Economics
The
need for philosophy statement of a profession/discipline cannot be
overemphasized. Every profession/discipline has a philosophical basis for
training and practice.
Philosophy
of Home Economics, therefore, are statements of belief which the training and
practice of Home Economics are based.
The
need for stating the philosophy of Home Economics arises for the following
reasons:
1.
To understand alternate philosophies of the discipline and their evolution in
relation to realities of social changes.
2.
To formulate goals, objectives and plans appropriate for Home Economics
education and development in the nation concerned.
3.
To develop necessary human resources and competence appropriate for various
educational and community settings.
4.
To articulate and defend a personal philosophy of Home Economics informed by
professionally relevant conceptualization.
5.
To organize one’s own professional resourcefulness, development and growth in
matters relating to Home Economics.
6.
Will elucidate (open up) areas of communication and collaboration with
colleagues from relevant fields in planning and implementation.
What is Philosophy of Home Economics?
Defining
Philosophy of Home economics, the philosophy of Home Economics has developed
over the years, but the essentials of promoting family living has remained the
centre hold. It has been stated in varying ways only to culminate in the same
intent and purpose.
The
American Home Economics Association defines Home Economics as a field of
knowledge and service concerned primarily with strength of family.
At
the international meeting of the Permanent Council of Home Economics (Berlin
1965), Home Economics was described as the possible knowledge of all problems
regarding home and family, emphasizing research finding dissemination on
matters concerning food, clothing, shelter, health and human relationships.
Olaitan
and Onagusiobo have conceptualized Home Economics as the study of human and
matter resources affecting homes and families, and the use of this knowledge
for the benefit of mankind.
From
both definitions above Home Economics appears to be the study of activities of
the home and their relationships to their environment.
In
other words, the philosophy of Home Economics could be simply said to be the
conceptualization that defines its content as a discipline at any point in
History.
In subsequent unit you will learn about the historical development of Home Economics. Hence the contemporary philosophy of Home Economics is the application of the knowledge from the pure and applied sciences, social sciences, Arts and Humanities to develop men and women with fundamental competences in proffering scientific solutions to problems in the use of resources to access and increase information on the facts of life and improve living in the family, the community, nation, and the world at large.
From the definition of the
contemporary philosophy of Home Economics you will observe that Home Economics
as a discipline has a broad knowledge base, drawing on pure sciences such as
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, applied sciences such as Nutrition,
information technology, engineering of home appliances, while social sciences include
subjects such as sociology, family living, human development and psychology.
In
the field of Arts and Humanities, such knowledge as Fine Arts, and
Environmental as well as Communication arts are inclusive. All these basic
courses as mentioned here form the basis for the applied courses in Home
Economics requires to produce competent personnel capable of improving the
living of not just the family, but of the community, nation and the world at
large.
Specific Objectives of Home Economics
The
specific objectives of Home Economics are the specific competencies expected of
professional Home Economists.
The
unique and versatile preparation of the Home Economics graduate puts him/her in
a position capable of taking up various types of positions in Nigeria and
internationally.
Specifically,
Home Economics examine the following:
1.
Family relationships and child development.
2.
Intellectual consumption of goods and services, including other economic
aspects of personal and family living.
3.
Nutritional needs for different age groups, in health and disease, including
creative food utilization for physiological needs and for leisure.
4.
Housing for the family, including interior decoration and outdoor terracing.
5.
Design of textiles for clothing and for home decoration and other utilizations.
6.
Selection, construction, and care of clothing to meet its psychological, social
and functional significance.
7.
Arts and humanities as an integral part
of everyday life to add value to living at the family and wider levels. viii)
Part of legislative and social action programs which directly affect the
welfare of individual and family.
8. Co-operation with people of international cultures and agencies who contrive to raise level of living.
9. Carrying out research and applying findings to
improve family, society, national and world-wide social and economic
development.
Home Economics Philosophy
Philosophy
of a discipline is dynamic in accordance with trends in societal values – i.e.
the rapidly changing state of development of the society motivates the
derivation of new philosophy of Home Economics. Motivating factors (values) are
responsible for the need for re-statement of the philosophy of Home Economics
at different era.
In a latter section of this course the historical development of Home Economics will be discussed.
It suffices for now to say that the philosophy of Home
Economics at an earlier stage is shown to be that of acquiring knowledge and
competence in the arts of cookery, child care, housekeeping and handcrafting
for girls in preparation for good home making.
Philosophy
of Home Economics has shifted largely from this simple definition to a high
level of professionalism.
Let us consider these factors which have motivated derivation of new philosophy for Home Economics:
1. Knowledge of nutrition as a science with enormous
implication for healthful living has made knowledge in physical and life
sciences inevitable in Home Economics curriculum.
2.
Shift in the society from settlements of
small communities to more complex urban dwellings calls for change in housing
design and land-space management.
3.
Human movements for business or leisure have been on the increase, creating
need for institutional outfits mimicking home environment “a home away from
home”, e.g. hotels, hostels and hospitals.
4.
More and more people eat away from home
either as necessitated by long uninterrupted work hours away from home, or for
the pleasure it creates, creating a conducive atmosphere for interpersonal
business or social relationships, or just to break the monotony of “home
cooking”. Adequate preparation in institutional food management will be required
this wise.
5.
Technology has facilitated domestic tasks – the Home Economist must be
competent in the knowledge of operation and maintenance of domestic and
institutional equipment.
6.
Improvement of the socio-economic status
of most cultures has been reflected in their change of taste for higher
aesthetic and functional values for clothing, housing designs and interior
designs.
7.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has globalized information and
ideas, and exposure to experiences, all of which have impacted standards of the
society. Discovering the changing needs of industries, families, and societies
and means of satisfying these needs has necessitated venturing into scientific
research in Home Economics.
8.
As more and more women get engaged outside the home impartation of early
childhood education has shifted on alternate institutions, a phenomenon
demanding knowledge of child care and development by the Home Economist.
Factors Hindering Effective Implementation of Home Economics Philosophy
It
is obvious from discussions in this unit and the previous that Home Economics,
according to its philosophy, is capable of adding value to family living,
create a happier and community, progressive nation and a prosperous world at
peace with itself.
However,
it is necessary, at this stage, to bring to our awareness the factors that pose
as challenges and limitations to the full implementation of Home Economics
philosophy in Nigeria and in other developing countries.
These
factors include the following:
1. Culture and social practices in which the Nigerian women (the homemaker) have very little or no control on decision making on issues that affect her home. This gender issue has arisen for the fact that the woman is often very much less educated and less empowered than her counterpart man.
A global move to
remedy this situation is however being addressed by including in “the
Millennium Development Goals in Africa” the goal to promote gender equality and
empower women.
2.
Diversity in the cultural, religious and socio-economic environments calls for
fragmentation of possible solutions to family and national problems.
3.
The declining economy has limited the adoption of new technology that could
enhance work simplification in the home. This same economic factor has limited
funding for research work to identify the changing family and societal needs in
order to proffer solutions to them.
4. A society not very dynamic in accepting and adapting to change in the face of
changing challenges of the family, society, and the world.
5.
Competition with other disciplines for science-oriented students has often
limited enrollment for the Home Economics program in learning institutions.
Read On: The Cultural Heritage: Living Culture and Performing Arts
Conclusion
on Philosophy and Objectives of Home Economics
Objectives of Home Economics cover a wide range from performance in family living, food use and nutrition, housing, textile designs, clothing designs and construction, researching, to being part of national and international agencies whose programs directly affect the family, society, world-wide.
Philosophy of Home
Economics is not static but evolves as a result of certain motivating factors.
Implementation of Home Economics philosophy particularly in the developing
countries is highly limited by factors such as gender inequality,
socio-economic and diverse cultural and religious practices within a nation.
In
this article we have examined the objectives of Home Economics. We have
considered factors that motivate the derivation of Home Economics philosophy.
We have also discussed the challenges and limiting factors to the full
implementation of Home Economics philosophy and objectives
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