A recent article published in Mother Jones calls for a return of “Home Economics” to classrooms across the country, for both genders of students. The authors argue that,
“Public school systems are so strapped that they’re already slashing equally worthy classes like art, music, and PE. But producing generation upon generation of people who don’t know how to feed themselves healthily or manage their finances is generating massive, cascading societal costs…”
While this might be true, 4-H has an important role to play here. As an informal education, separate from public schools, we have the opportunity to fill some major gaps in knowledge, and some clubs are doing just that with “life skills” focused project areas.
I recently reviewed some club plans for a teen center and I was so excited to see these things listed on their program plan:
- Making a meal plan
- Making a shopping list
- Shopping with coupons
- Shopping comparisons
- Preparing for a hurricane
- Folding laundry
- Ironing laundry
- Sewing on a button
- Hemming a pair of pants
- Basic car maintenance
- Manners for special occasions
- Using public transportation
- Using household cleaners and organizing your house
- Tools for yard work
- Personal safety-Being Aware when you are out
These are true life skills, that while some may think they are obvious, I can assure you, middle school and high school students we are working with are desperate for these skills and in fact LOVE learning them with their friends.
When offered in combination with other clubs such as cooking, sewing, and community service, we can begin to really shape young people into productive and responsible adults. So I would encourage all middle school and teen centers to consider offering a “life skills” style club this year.
Military 4-H Pacific 