Bachelor's Degree for Homemaking?

[roni]

I think I liked the Total Woman Curriculum better

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by BonnyW

There is already something very similar, and it is a valid undergrad degree. It came from Home Economics and became: Family and Consumer Science

Our department offered that major up until 6 years ago. It was open to anyone, but female students only applied...

Their organization is here: AAFCS - Home Page

'Valid' being a subjective term?

I dunno. Maybe I am an education snob (I would not call a degree in homeopathy valid either, for example).

Certainly being a homemaker/SAHM is a valid, worthwhile, and important job. But a job for which there is degree required or given ....I don't think so.

I do think it is good that both boys and girls take home ec classes in school...not only cooking but how about how to set up a household budget and other financial tips....how to paint a room, change the oil in your car, change a thermocouple on your water heater, look after a lawn, how to grow a garden and canning, etc.
You know, truly useful things.

[Luv2Dance]

Originally Posted by Rissask

An American 'university' is offering a degree program designed for women who feel a calling to be a housewife/homemaker.

There were two people (one from Focus on the Family one from "Beyond the Boardroom") discussing it on the Today show this week.







What are your thoughts on a bachelor's degree in homemaking?

Laughable. Homemaking skills are learned through the generations and common sense. Why would anyone pay for such a thing? Sounds like a waste of money and time to me. Just my two cents.

[NorthMinnesota]

hmmmmm...After working in Social Services for many years I think classes in parenting and family and Consumer Science for both genders would be beneficial in some cases. Kids in our school district still have to take FCS by the way.

[NorthMinnesota]

Originally Posted by Luv2Dance

Laughable. Homemaking skills are learned through the generations and common sense. Why would anyone pay for such a thing? Sounds like a waste of money and time to me. Just my two cents.

Believe me....there are MANY who learn from dysfunctional families and who have no common sense! I have seen and worked with too many kids whose parents were just NUTS!!!!

[SunKneeMarie]

Originally Posted by NorthMinnesota

Believe me....there are MANY who learn from dysfunctional families and who have no common sense! I have seen and worked with too many kids who parents were just NUTS!!!!

I agree... I think the classroom can teach a lot of useful skills. Budgeting/bill paying, child health, cooking/nutrition... these things are not necessarily taught by parents to children--and if they are, sometimes are way out of whack!

[roni]

My brothers and I learned homemaking skills from our mother and father.

No sisters, but we did have maids for the 7 years we lived in Brazil.

[Luv2Dance]

Originally Posted by SunKneeMarie

I agree... I think the classroom can teach a lot of useful skills. Budgeting/bill paying, child health, cooking/nutrition... these things are not necessarily taught by parents to children--and if they are, sometimes are way out of whack!

Yes....but are we talking about early youth education programs, adult programs or both? And.......if adult programs...sorry I didn't read the whole article as I'm limited in time" are paid out of pocket by the student......you have to factor in their willingness to participate in a program such as this and income level as well........and was there a fee stated?

[Rissask]

Heck, even some of the Baptists think it's silly....one of them said:

"It's yet another example of the ridiculous and silly degree to which some Southern Baptists, Southwestern in particular, are trying to return to what they perceive to be biblical gender roles."

and this is particularly revolting....

In 2003, when Patterson left his post as president of North Carolina's Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to serve as Southwestern's president, he was asked whether women would teach in the seminary's theology school under his leadership.

"The New Testament is crystal clear that pastors are to be men," he said.

In March, a former Southwestern professor filed a federal lawsuit against the school and Patterson, alleging she was fired from her tenure-track position because she was a woman.

Professor Sheri Klouda was hired in 2002 and was the only woman to teach at the School of Theology. But last spring, school officials informed Klouda that her contract was terminated because she was "a mistake that the trustees needed to fix," the lawsuit states.

Patterson's wife, Dorothy Patterson, is the only woman faculty member now teaching in Southwestern's theology school.

David Key, director of Baptist studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, said part of the reason why the seminary may be introducing the new homemaking program is in reaction to the Klouda lawsuit.

"Women continue to make more inroads into traditional male bastions, which could be provoking Patterson to do this," Key said. Patterson is "trying to draw the line in the sand of where women need to be."

Heaven forbid ladies, that we forget our place!

[Luv2Dance]

Riss, I'm zipping my lip on the last quote!

[kayt707]

Coming from a "homemaker" Possibly they would want it for more respect. In my experience it is thought of you just stay home. That there isnt a talent or job to it. Its just doing simple stuff. Perhaps they would like some validity to what they do. BTW, I dont think it would be a bad thing for parents to take childhood development and psych classes. Being a stay at home mom is one of the toughest, least aprreciated jobs there is why not let some feel that they have a job that does require some training to do well. As of now you need training and skills to do most menial office jobs however it is assumed that any one can be in charge of raising our future generations. that is ridiculous. (and no it not a sore spot with me at all)

On the other end I know of at least one stay at home Dad. My friend has a fairly good paying job with lots of oppurtunity for advancement. her husband would not be in that position. with the cost of infant care here it would probably cost them more to have him working tan for him to get a job and send the baby to child care. It is still a new kind of arrangement but I am seeing more of it lately.

[kayt707]

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[gingele]

Originally Posted by kayt707

Coming from a "homemaker" Possibly they would want it for more respect. In my experience it is thought of you just stay home. That there isnt a talent or job to it. Its just doing simple stuff. Perhaps they would like some validity to what they do. BTW, I dont think it would be a bad thing for parents to take childhood development and psych classes. Being a stay at home mom is one of the toughest, least aprreciated jobs there is why not let some feel that they have a job that does require some training to do well. As of now you need training and skills to do most menial office jobs however it is assumed that any one can be in charge of raising our future generations. that is ridiculous. (and no it not a sore spot with me at all)

On the other end I know of at least one stay at home Dad. My friend has a fairly good paying job with lots of oppurtunity for advancement. her husband would not be in that position. with the cost of infant care here it would probably cost them more to have him working tan for him to get a job and send the baby to child care. It is still a new kind of arrangement but I am seeing more of it lately.

Unfortunately the university offering the degree probably does not see it this way. In fact, I'd venture to guess it's just the opposite.

[JudyBluEyes]

I'm not so sure that being a "stay at home Mom" is such a tough job. I mean what exactly do stay at home moms do all day? I raised two kids and worked, sometime 2 or 3 jobs at the same time and still did all the things that a stay at home mom does and I didn't find it all that tough. And... I didn't need a degree to make me a better Mom... and I don't care how many times I tried to learn to sew I still can't...

[JudyBluEyes]

Originally Posted by gingele

Unfortunately the university offering the degree probably does not see it this way. In fact, I'd venture to guess it's just the opposite.

Yeah, I see more as teaching women their "place" in a god-fearing home...