If you completed your schooling before the year 2000, chances are you may have attended a home economics or home studies class—particularly if you were a girl. The practical knowledge gained from these classes in domestic skills is undeniably valuable.

In contemporary times, the notion of both women and men managing household and family responsibilities is more widely accepted. However, the unfortunate reality is that home economics classes are diminishing, and fewer schools are affording their students, both girls and boys, the chance to acquire fundamental adult skills.

Many advocate for the reintroduction of home economics in schools, emphasizing the importance of students learning practical life skills beyond what subjects like Mathematics and History offer. In today’s fast-paced world, where parents often work long hours and high school students return to empty homes, the need for self-sufficiency in cooking, laundry, and basic household tasks is evident.

Yet, the question remains: how many students are actually taught these skills in school? Home economics not only imparts practical abilities but also fosters independence in children. A recent study revealed that 62.7 percent of the 3.1 million 2020 high school graduates in the US enrolled in college, facing the challenge of fending for themselves in a dorm room.

While societal norms regarding women’s roles at home and in the workplace have evolved, acknowledging that women have diverse aspirations beyond traditional domestic roles, the need for practical life skills education persists. Learning to cook, do laundry, and administer first aid is a good start, but envision a curriculum that includes practical skills such as changing a tire, filing taxes, or replacing a lightbulb—essential abilities that many adults may lack.

Providing a dedicated space for children to learn these skills during their formative years makes logical sense. Yet, it is noteworthy that many schools continue to prioritize subjects that may offer limited utility in their future lives. Of course, if all else fails, children can still glean valuable lessons from their own parents.