We’ve all heard our parents, grandparents, or even ourselves, say, “back when I was…” and then proceed to say why something was better…or worse. Most of the time the younger generation would fake laugh or just pretend to listen. We’ve heard it all. From the days before cell phones, digital media and photos, power windows, or online gaming, there are so many items to reminisce about. The retro is often relished by many but frowned upon by others. The generations of today will have many great opportunities, but will also truly miss out on things of the past. Some items or trends are better left in the past, but there is so much that should never have disappeared.
However, there is one thing that should have never disappeared. What is it? If you guessed Home Economics classes or family and consumer sciences, you guessed right. For some, this has never disappeared and they’re learning how to cook, sew, iron clothes, etc. However, if your school is like most of America, this class was one of the first to go when budget cuts were taking place. For many families, they’ve taken on the role of teaching their own children these skills. Unfortunately, there are way too many children graduating high school unable to cook, iron, sew, write a check, or even address an envelope. Fortunately, many of these splinter skills are used quite infrequently. However, the daily skill of cooking and individuals inability to prepare a meal is concerning. Pasta is not the answer and neither are frozen meals and fast food.
According to the CDC, adult obesity in the United States rose from 30.5% in 2000 to 41.9% in 2020. With this increase, the estimated medical cost of obesity was $173 billion in 2019. First and foremost, this isn’t a post about adults being more overweight now than what they were 20 years ago. This is more about the why behind the myriad of health conditions that often accompany increased weight; conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and different forms of cancer.
In 2012, there were only 3.5 million students enrolled in family and consumer sciences secondary programs, a decrease of 38 percent over a decade. This number isn’t necessarily due to lack of interest, but rather to the decreasing number of schools offering the program.
In the area I live, each high school student must have four years of language arts, three years of math, three years of science, and three years of social studies. Sadly, there is only one year of physical education and a half year of health required. There is no requirement for family and consumer sciences or anything mentioned about independent living skills. The students today are graduating with little understanding on how to survive on their own. Their life skills are limited and force them to rely on what is easily accessible to survive. Fast food, pizza delivery, pasta, and ramen noodles have become the diet of too many. Twenty-five years ago, these were luxury items reserved for those days where mom and dad had a busy day at work. Now, they have become part of the lunch and dinner planning process. Schools have been convinced and are permitted to offer sugary and artificial cereals as part of their breakfast offerings, yet the US wonders why behavior issues have become more frequent in our schools. We as a nation are failing our youth and future generations all because of convenience and belief that every student will be a scientist, doctor, or engineer.
Let’s face it, most high school and younger students need guidance. If given the opportunity to drink soda every day, they probably would. If allowed to eat chocolate bars for breakfast, they would. Their brain is still developing and determining right from wrong and good from bad. Yet, schools are not taking advantage of this opportunity presented to them. “Recess” is gone once they meet middle school and physical education class becomes an elective once they reach high school. Just through moving up through the grades, their activity level decreases. However, the academic requirements remain. I understand that not every student is an athlete, but not every student is good at math either.
So where do we go from here? The “numbers” continue to increase every year, but instead of looking at solutions, society has placed blame on everyone being on their phones, sitting at a desk all day, or gaming at home. What isn’t being addressed is the culture and path we are creating and where it starts is in the schools. Family and Consumer Science needs to be required for all students. Actually, a minimum of two years would suffice. They need to know how to cook for themselves and future family. When I speak of cooking, I mean cooking. Not making a pizza crust from scratch or chicken noodle soup. Show these kids how to use spices and seasonings to create flavorful foods using fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Better yet, actually teach them about nutrition and the leading causes of inflammation in the body. That would be an eye opener.
Once they learn to cook for themselves, let's get them active at least thirty minutes a day. This could be playing basketball, tennis, weight training, or something as simple as walking. It wouldn't take much. Combine this with updated knowledge on nutrition and we now have a winning formula.
When I first started writing this post, I thought I would be able to write solely about the loss of home economics/family and consumer sciences and the impact that is having. However, I found that there were so many other variables that I orginallly didn't think of. Sadly, we as a nation have placed academics above overall health. It’s not any particular person’s fault. Schools will cut what isn’t required and mandatory to save money. Every school has done it. What needs to be changed is our overall view of why the United States is so unhealthy and it starts in our schools. So, bring back family and consumer sciences, extra recess, and mandatory physical education. Let future generations know we messed up and are doing our best to clean up the last twenty to thirty years of poor decisions.
Did you think schools should start to bring back these classes? Leave a comment below.
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