Remaking Home Economics: Resourcefulness and Innovation in Changing Times

Gwen Kay ’91, a professor of history and director of the honors program at the State University of New York at Oswego, co-edited this new book of essays on the history and current state of the family and consumer sciences field.

“An interdisciplinary effort of scholars from history, women’s studies, and family and consumer sciences, Remaking Home Economics covers the field’s history of opening career opportunities for women and responding to domestic and social issues. Calls to ‘bring back home economics’ miss the point that it never went away. These new essays, relevant for a variety of fields—history, women’s studies, STEM, and family and consumer sciences itself—take both current and historical perspectives on defining issues including home economics philosophy, social responsibility, and public outreach; food and clothing; gender and race in career settings; and challenges to the field’s identity and continuity. From the publisher.