The evolution of Home Economics as a subject in Irish primary and post-primary education from the 1800s to the twenty-first century

Abstract

This paper is a historical review, documenting the evolution of Home Economics as a subject in Irish primary and post-primary education from the 1800s to the twenty-first century. In the 1800s and early twentieth-century domestic subjects, including cookery, was widely taught to females in both primary and post-primary schools. The philosophical underpinning of the subject was to enhance the quality of life for families. The subject remained a popular choice for young women up until the establishment of the Irish Free State which, thereafter, witnessed many changes in the teaching of cookery and domestic science in primary and post-primary schools. The core ideology of the subject has remained relevant and it aims to provide students with knowledge, practical skills, understanding and attitudes for everyday life as individuals and as family members. This reflects the richness of the subject from the past and the relevance of the subject in addressing issues of a twenty-first century society.

Keywords:

• Home Economics
• curriculum history
• secondary education
• female education
• primary education

Notes on contributors

Amanda McCloat is Head of the Home Economics Department, St Angela’s College, Sligo. She worked as a post-primary Home Economics teacher before joining St Angela’s where she lectures in Home Economics and food studies. Her research areas include Home Economics; food education; cooking skills and food literacy; and education for sustainable development. Amanda is the current European Representative on the Executive Council of the International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE). She is also an appointed Council member of the Healthy Ireland Council and a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Teachers of Home Economics (ATHE).

Martin Caraher is professor of food and health policy at the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London. He originally trained as an environmental health officer in Ireland where he developed an interest in the public health and health promotion aspects of his work. Martin spent some time working in the Irish and the English health services managing health promotion and public health services respectively. He was a member of the original London Food Board which developed the food strategy for London. He was also a member of the London Olympic Food Group. His recent work has focused on issues related to food skills and food poverty in the UK as austerity bites deep.