Wiskow and Dickie are perfect examples of what Kelley and her co-workers are trying to accomplish. In fact, Texas home economics classes will change their name next year to better reflect their curriculum. They will be called Family and Consumer Science classes. If you know how to do these things, you have energy to cope with the problems of life. But if you're having to learn how to budget, shop for clothes, cook, and discipline your children, then the other problems in life loom larger.
Some students just grasp the basic themes of home economics.
Others enroll in electives classes to refine their skills. For example, Nicole Holder said she enjoys cooking and prepares meals for her family at least once a week. Even so, she learned some new things in her food science and technology class. I learned that I shouldn't use a lot of water in cooking vegetables so they'll stay crisper. And I learned not to wash fruits like strawberries and grapes until right before you use them or they'll get moldy.