The School of Home Economics: old-fashioned or cutting edge?
by Cheryl Klimaszewski
Although it might be common to consider the field of home economics as limited and perhaps even oppressive to women, current perspectives on the history and development of the field and the doors it opened for women present it in a new light. Though the label “home economics” did not fall into widespread use until the early 20th century, education for women in the domestic arts and related subject areas can be traced back to the mid-19th century.
Drexel’s founder Anthony J. Drexel was very interested in the education of women, and in fact originally planned a school solely for the education of girls. In this spirit, the programs offered by Drexel’s School of Home Economics focused not just on the preparation of women for success in domestic life, but offered them technical and scientific courses in teaching, nutrition, textile design and applied arts. Such courses prepared women to pursue careers as teachers, dietitians, dressmakers or researchers, with ample opportunities in Drexel’s cooperative program.
One important aspect of the home economics curriculum was the Practice House – later called the Home Management House. This laboratory setting allowed women practical experience in all aspects of home management, from learning how to cook to testing new appliances to studying household layout and design. Women learned not just how to run a household, but how to run it better through increased efficiency provided by scientific and technological advances.
The focus of an education in home economics at Drexel was not simply a preparation for marriage and raising a family. The Drexel Institute of Technology Bulletin from February 1938 says it best: “The broader vision that comes through this balanced cultural and professional training not only means greater success in career – it makes her a more useful member of the community and a better manager of her home.” Even to the modern ear, it hardly sounds old-fashioned.
For further study:
- A history of the School of Home Economics through 1941 is found in chapter 10 of Drexel Institute of Technology (1891-1941): A Memorial History by McDonald and Hinton (1942).
- Cornell University offers an excellent introduction on the history of the home economics discipline.
- This exhibition at Cornell University offers a comprehensive exhibition on the history of home economics education at Cornell
