The term “home economics” might inspire someone to think of cooking classes, lessons in childrearing and other instruction now largely deemed outdated.
But, in the late 19th century and into the early 20th century, home economics were instrumental in propelling women into the workforce.
“Home economics really gave women opportunities to pursue higher education,” according to Erika Janik, a writer, historian and producer for WPR's "Wisconsin Life" series.
Prior to the Morrill Act of 1862, colleges and universities mostly prepared men for careers in law, medicine or the ministry. After the passage of the act, also known as the Land Grant College Act, universities were required to provide practical instruction in areas such as agriculture and home economics. As a result, Janik said opportunities started to open up for women.
“By creating a platform for home economics that was created by women for women, women found a place to see themselves as professionals,” she said, adding that many women would come to think of themselves as “professionals in their home.”
Although treating the home like a business was one element of home economics, Janik said a lot of women went on to use their skills in the professional sphere, finding careers in areas such as social services and government.
Despite being a progressive program for its time, home economics is generally seen as “retrograde” today, according to Janik, largely because it hasn’t kept up with society’s evolving values.
“Home economics stayed kind of the same into the mid-20th century, but by that time we really saw women differently,” she said. “I think that’s why we have this stereotyped image of home economics being very conservative.”