gritshelme's review against another edition
5.0
** I was provided with an advanced copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fascinating history of home economics, tracing its development and the many ways that the field helped shape society. Danielle Dreilinger highlights the many contributions of women of color to the field while also pointing out the racism rampant at every level of its development, and argues that we all still need home economics. Dreilinger argues that the Covid-19 pandemic reawakened interest in baking and sewing, as well as the need for household budgeting and repair, and that perhaps this is the perfect moment for a home economics revival.
This is a fascinating history of home economics, tracing its development and the many ways that the field helped shape society. Danielle Dreilinger highlights the many contributions of women of color to the field while also pointing out the racism rampant at every level of its development, and argues that we all still need home economics. Dreilinger argues that the Covid-19 pandemic reawakened interest in baking and sewing, as well as the need for household budgeting and repair, and that perhaps this is the perfect moment for a home economics revival.
mrsmarch's review against another edition
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
5.0
When I first saw this book my mind brought back two things: a ‘teacher’ class where we did mostly crafts and a MST3K short. From the short, I knew there was more to the class than making cookies and sewing shirts, but I never experienced it, so I was curious.
It was a fascinating read, learning how at first it was really a way for women to spend less time in the kitchen, doing chores and also expanding the mind. Such as the geometry in sewing, the chemicals in dyes and the nutrition in diets. It also covered a whole field of careers, from nutritionists, repair ladies for stoves, and the start of social work. Yet as the decades continued, people began to see as the cooking class we know today-blame the 50s-and thus less credit and funding went to schools so classes got pulled. There are still places that teach the course and they do a lot of good. Makes me wish there was a course in my high school so I knew how to do more things.
Anyway lots of good information as well as bits of snark I loved, I recommend this for anyone with an interest in women’s history or feminism. Happy Reading!
It was a fascinating read, learning how at first it was really a way for women to spend less time in the kitchen, doing chores and also expanding the mind. Such as the geometry in sewing, the chemicals in dyes and the nutrition in diets. It also covered a whole field of careers, from nutritionists, repair ladies for stoves, and the start of social work. Yet as the decades continued, people began to see as the cooking class we know today-blame the 50s-and thus less credit and funding went to schools so classes got pulled. There are still places that teach the course and they do a lot of good. Makes me wish there was a course in my high school so I knew how to do more things.
Anyway lots of good information as well as bits of snark I loved, I recommend this for anyone with an interest in women’s history or feminism. Happy Reading!
intensej's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Dreilinger provides an interesting look at the history of home economics in America. It was difficult to keep track of all of the people since the book covers events from 1860 to 2020. I appreciated that Dreilinger provided context for some of the events in the history of home economics by acknowledging that the field would often be limited to white women and Black home economists would not be given the same opportunities. This book will make you rethink everything you know about home economics.
Dreilinger provides an interesting look at the history of home economics in America. It was difficult to keep track of all of the people since the book covers events from 1860 to 2020. I appreciated that Dreilinger provided context for some of the events in the history of home economics by acknowledging that the field would often be limited to white women and Black home economists would not be given the same opportunities. This book will make you rethink everything you know about home economics.
constancemn's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
pamiverson's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting look at the professionalization of “women’s work,” the women who early on saw the need to be more systematic and to educate others, organizing, how Black women established parallel organizations, reactions to the wars and to the conservatism after World War II, challenges by feminists, particularly Robin Morgan, and how that changed peoples’ perspectives. The author believes there is still a need for the discipline. It was surprising, thought-provoking.