Home Ec Class
So…I’ve been thinking about the feminine arts, lately. And I’m a little ticked off about it. You see, I’ve been feeling like my original goal when I started college–to study home economics–was destroyed by people who didn’t see the value of the “feminine arts.” Well, to put it bluntly, if we liked cooking or sewing or knitting or embroidering or crafting or gardening or anything else associated with the feminine, we were told that we were “less than.” We were told that these skills were designed to keep us subjugated.
Well, it has taken me 30 years but I can finally say HOGWASH!! Those people who told us that we were being subjugated managed to silence our creativity! We were encouraged to use our creative skills in masculine ways rather than embracing the feminine. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but men and women are different. We are biologically different and we are socially wired to be different. That doesn’t make us less than. It just makes us different.
Now, I’m not one that is going to say that women’s liberation is evil. I don’t think it is. And, the fact that I was able to earn a Ph.D. is an indicator of how far women have come in being able to achieve their goals. But, I am wondering what we felt we needed to sacrifice in order to put all of those cracks in the glass ceiling? And, although I have been able to retain my ultra-femininity throughout my schooling and career, I am also mourning the loss of my true creative voice.
You know, it is funny (not in a ha-ha kind of way but in an ironic way) that I have to really work at writing my “Around the Academy” blog for new academics. Even though I am really good at mentoring new professors, my creativity doesn’t flow. I feel like I’m banging my head against the “boy’s club” door. But, when I tap into my feminine creativity and start writing about it here and on my Modern Retro Woman blog, I feel like I could chat with you all forever. You guys are the ones who understand the thrill of being able to manipulate fabric and finding a solution to missing pattern pieces and have a “work of art” in the form of a work shirt for my husband in the end. Now THAT’s creativity!
Maybe this recession is just what I needed to find the Home Ec teacher within me again. I’m ready to put on my apron and let those who silenced me know that they can have their glass ceiling if it means I can’t enjoy my feminine creativity. I’m creating my OWN rules now!
I can really relate, Dr. Julie, but it probably wouldn’t be interesting for me to write three paragraphs here on my own experience. I’m a decade older than you, I think. I always thought that by the time I reached this stage of life I’d be good at sewing and creative handwork. Life took a different turn, and I’m not good. My last two sewing projects have failed and the quilt I’m trying to make isn’t good either. But I truly love to sew and want to do better — there are just a lot of factors. I love vintage — esp. ’30s & ’40s — sewing, crochet, embroidery. So yes, keep reading to us from those wonderful books and providing that encouragement.
Kathy and Dr. Julie-Ann, I totally agree with you. I too thought about becoming a home economics teacher at one point. There was something creative in me dying to get out. I also find comfort in wearing aprons handed down to me. I love the feminine things such as sewing, cooking, and creative work.
Karen, don’t give up! I’ve been sewing for years and still make many mistakes but, as Julie says, “enjoy the process” and remember that practice makes perfect (well, at least better).
Nancy
Young adult of the 80s here.
I would have taken Home Ec in high school, but I was very turned off by the fact that you were required to take a class with cooking and child development before you were allowed to take an all-sewing class. I had absolutely no interest in those other two topics, and frankly, I resented the fact that they were all grouped together, so I didn’t sign up.
I think the problem with home ec courses is not a lack of interest in the various home arts, but the assumption that they are all the same thing and/or the fact that creative arts (like cooking and sewing) are lumped in with home/family management skills. I consider the two areas to be distinctly different.
Betty,
That is interesting because I have thought of the family/management skills as being part of the feminine/creative arts. So, yes, I am in the category that lumps them all together!
Kathy, Oops! Sorry that I called you Karen in my last paragraph. I couldn’t find a way to edit.
Nancy
That’s okay, Nancy. I thought you were probably talking to me — either that or you were giving advice to “Karen” that was appropriate for me. Thanks for your encouragement.