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
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.
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.
hannah_lou's review
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
Interesting read. A little woke here and there but overall; well-researched and enjoyable to read.
megabooks's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
daniellesalwaysreading's review
4.0
An interesting topic that I believe has seen a resurgence in our collective interest in homesteading, canning, cooking frugal shopping, and crafts as can be seen on youtube and other user-created content sites.
The most interesting parts were the sections about how by embracing home EC women were both able to gain individual freedom while at the same time causing oppression to women, LGBT+ people, and BIPOC.
It was a little dry in the middle, especially when the author was just writing a timeline of events, without too much commentary, but it picked up quickly.
The most interesting parts were the sections about how by embracing home EC women were both able to gain individual freedom while at the same time causing oppression to women, LGBT+ people, and BIPOC.
It was a little dry in the middle, especially when the author was just writing a timeline of events, without too much commentary, but it picked up quickly.