Am I Stirring the Pot?
I might be stirring the pot here, but I think this will make for some fun conversations. Did anyone else here about the
Texas university that is offering homemaking as a major at their school? The big controversy is that this course is only open to the women at the university and people are angry that women are paying for a degree in this when (for most) these seem like basic life skills.
Personally, I don't see it as any different than offering a Home Economics degree. I could have used the guidance in learning how to manage my family finances or how to cook. I think everyone in my family could have financially benefited from me being part of a program like this.
I always knew that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, even before I had any children to stay home with. It wasn't a religious choice, but I just knew that was where I wanted to be. My husband & I together decided that I would be a stay-at-home mom. Daycare was too expensive and it seemed to work better for us financially, as I was not the big breadwinner in the family.
Do you guys have any thoughts on this?
Labels: Homemaking
10Comments:
"I think it's great! I took no home ec classes in school (including college). I didn't plan to be a SAHM, my mom wasn't a SAHM, so I didn't really learn these things. However, my husband just finished at SBTS Louisville and I wish the classes had been offered here!! We do have SWI (Seminary Wives Institute) but it only lightly covers ANY of these topics (though class availability changes based on teachers and what topics are asked for).
Jennifer"
Ivy
"I think it's terrible, that's what Home-Ec 101 is for, yo! ;)
(j/k, I love the idea of a home ec degree)"
"I think the only real problem I have with that, if I understood your post correctly, is that it is only available to women?! I find that to be awfully sexist, if that's the case. Frankly, I think most men could benefit greatly from something like that. Might learn a thing or two about the harsh realities of being a "homemaker." It's not all bon-bons & soap operas, dear! (that "dear" was directed at my DH!) And I know there are a few stay-at-home dads out there who might like to learn the finer points of running a household full-time. Okay, otherwise, I think it's perfectly fine, if that is something enough people are interested in!
AnneMarie"
justelise
"I think it's silly for someone to pay for a degree in basic life skills, but that's not my problem with the major. I'm disappointed that it's only open to women. It should be open to men as well because there are plenty of stay at home fathers out there. I think by only having this major open to women it sends a very negative message to young women telling them that only women should learn domestic skills as though that's all they're meant to do. If it were open to both women and men, there would be a more positive message."
lifeasamama
"my only concern with this is when women would take this degree, expecting to find a guy to marry in the four years of undergrad, then graduate with no marketable skills.
i saw that happen a LOT at my conservative Catholic college - people expected to be married when they graduated, so they got undergrad degrees in theology, philosophy, etc., and then graduated and panicked because they couldn't find jobs..."
"I too think it should be available to both men and women. if you do you research and you know what the degree represents then it is our business whether you make that choice or not.Pam, South Bend"
Meredith
"I feel strongly about this topic, even though the seminary is not the same faith as mine. Frankly, I'm flabbergasted at the controversy.
This is a seminary, not a public institution. It does not have to offer equal opportunity.
The major was offered by request of the seminarian's wives, who will one day be pastor's wives.
Why not give them the skills they need? After all, they will one day be expected to practice hospitality on a professional and public level."
mama k
"I think it's great. These women know they are going to be pastor's wives. Which is an extra hard job if you ask me. Not only do you have the normal SAHM running of the household, but you have to have an "open door" and live in a fish bowl.
If they want the classes then let them take them! :)"
Barb
"I think ANYONE can benefit from life skills such as they might teach in a Homemaking program. As someone has already mentioned, I think it is wrong to only offer this to women. While I think anyone can benefit, I am not so sure of this as a major program of study.
I question whether a degree in Homemaking will give the job skills necessary to compete in the job market. Even if a women were to take this and plan on getting married. Say they married as planned, not all marriages last. What skills would these women have. I am afraid they would end up being stuck in a marriage because they had no alternative. What would she do if she could no longer depend on her husband?
I believe for a women to be happy in a marriage she needs to know she is secure outside of that marriage too. There is way more to this than knowing how to cook dinner, repair clothes, and discipline kids.
Barb C"
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate
"Homemaking may be "basic" skills, but they are only basic if someone has taught them to you. . . . and obviously if there is enough need that they are coming up with a major, then folks haven't been taught it!
A private institution doesn't have to offer the same opportunities to males and females, however I do think that many homemaking skills would be useful to some men (to include bachelors-hey, someone might want to take just one course or to minor in it. . .)"
Jennifer"