Family and Consumer Sciences is still around, but it needs support, and people to believe in its roll in communities

Recently when Rocco Dispirito made a statement on national television about his work in communities showing children how to make foods I may have gone a little crazy.  But, in my own defense, I think that it was rightly so.  People stating bring back Home Economics, stating that they have "new" programs teaching children how to cook; these are the kind of statements that make me wonder what people think happened to Home Economics/Family and Consumer Sciences.

Chef Art Smith, made famous through Oprah, stated on the same Katie show as Rocco that he has a program in place after school teaching children how to prepare nutritional food.  I find that wonderful, but I also ask myself why we aren't pooling together and joining forces with chefs? Why are FACS professionals going unnoticed?  Chefs should be lobbying with us and for us.  What happened to us as FACS professionals that the image that is conjured up when people say Home Ec seems to be negative?   What can FACS professionals do to change that image?

Recently when I posted a letter on Rocco's Facebook site; a woman I do not know posted this comment:

 "Jane.... are you aware that most states are discontinuing Consumer and Family Studies from the curriculum? I think it is totally a disservice to the youth of today, but it is falling by the wayside just like Physical Education, Industrial Arts and Art."

I know that there are many programs being cut, but there are still many programs in place.  As an organization we need to continue to place the work that we do in the public eye.  This has been a great year "getting FACS in the public eye" but our presence needs to continue for our profession to continue.  

To keep us out there we as an organization, we need to campaign for funding from business and government.  We need to cut out some of the red tape that our organization sometimes creates.  We need to reach out to FACS educators that may not be involved in the national organization and see the good that they do on a daily basis.  If we do not we will diminish and I don't think that any of us wants that to happen. 

If you are a person not involved in the FACS profession reading this blog, please support your local Family and Consumer Sciences educator and help them keep their programs ALIVE.

Family and Consumer Sciences is a very general field that dips into the pot of many areas.  This is the reason that every child should be a part of what we do.  We are teaching about careers, parenting, families, economics, nutrition and we are part of everyday life in general.  Let us not be ashamed of that concept but proud that what we do is essential.  We are a group of bright talented people that really just do not know how to market what we do.  Let's get marketing!

With love from your retired FACS teacher.

Jane