There was an interesting article in Saturday’s Journal Star about an academic program in homemaking at Southern Baptist Seminary. It definitely caught my eye as academics and homemaking are rarely referred to in the same sentence.
I don’t know that a seminary is the place to have this type of program—it definitely strikes me as odd. But here’s what I thought after reading the entire article: SIGN ME UP.
Huh?
Coursework will include seven hours of nutrition and meal preparation, seven hours of textile design and “clothing construction,” three hours of general homemaking, three hours on “the value of a child” and three hours on the “biblical model for the home and family… Women also study children’s spiritual, physical and emotional development.
This is what I do! (Well, most of the time.) These classes are the type of help I need! Would I like to learn how to make more nutritious choices for my family? Yup. Do I know anything about clothing construction? Nope, refused Home Ec as a junior higher and denied my mom any opportunity for instruction. But would I like to learn now? Yup again. Do I need advice about my child’s spiritual, physical and emotional development? Yes. (Any person who thinks s/he’s above needing wisdom is fooling herself/himself.)
Like I said, I’m not certain a seminary is THE correct place to hold classes on homemaking, but I would love it if a college around here offered a few classes on this thing. What I find interesting about an actual concentration in homemaking is that it legitimizes the practice. All these folks, including the commenting anons on the LJS, are up in arms over the idea of women being forced into particular roles. The truth is that I chose this role; I chose to stay home rather than work full time. And while I would expect to be supported if I chose to pursue a degree in theology or counseling, why wouldn’t I want the same thing if I actively pursued homemaking?
Oh, there are so many facets to this topic. I’m going to stop at this point, but I’d love the discussion to continue in the comments or perhaps in future posts.
12 Comments
charity Aug 20, 2007 1:40 PM
It sounds like it could be both useful and interesting. But what is irksome is that the program is only open to women. The seminary says, “Whether a woman works outside or strictly in the home, her first priority is her family and home.”
But it’s not the father’s? Whether a father is home full time, part time, or less than part time, it seems a lot of things would be just as useful to him.
An aside— I could be wrong, but I would be surprised if the community colleges (if not the university) didn’t have classes on nutrition, clothing design, and child development.
RT Aug 20, 2007 1:47 PM
Speaking for my household alone, clothing design and nutrition classes wouldn’t be helpful for Jeremy, but they would be helpful to me (for my fulltime employment). We could both benefit, obviously, from courses on child development.
You’re right, I could take these types of classes at SCC, but the idea of a concentration in homemaking intrigues me. It’s like there is someone out there (at this seminary in fact) who values the job a person does at home and says, “Look, we see what you’re doing, it’s very important, and we want to equip you to do a better job.”
Regarding Southern Baptist’s opinions regarding women’s roles vs. men’s, I’m pretty sure I don’t wholeheartedly agree with them. While I think it’s important for young children to have good role models, I don’t strictly believe that a parent needs to be home fulltime. There’s a lot of room for grace and differences of opinion on this topic!
RT Aug 20, 2007 1:50 PM
CP, I agree that it’s ridiculous the homemaking courses are only open to women. What about men who are fulltime caregivers?
Megan Aug 20, 2007 3:36 PM
I LOVE it. I so totally think the church is scared to support this for women when women are all the time trying to prove they can do anything men can do, even in the church – if this concentration were offered at Covenant, I’m pretty sure there would be women howling all over the place, but I would certainly sign up.
And also, I would be more hesitant to take a lot of the child development classes from a state supported, or otherwise secular school – I went through four years of that at OK State already. I would love a Christian perspective on that, but again, that’s where it gets tricky – you going to take the ultra-conservo disciplinary perspective or the more grace-oriented approach? Who at the school decides?
When I began thinking about college, I wanted to be a Home Ec teacher. Seriously. I applied at Southwest Baptist University (a little known fact about me) and they cancelled that degree program the semester before I was to start, due to lack of enrollment. I went to OSU instead for the same degree, where, 2 years later they also cancelled the program.
Bring it back, I say! And a homemaking degree? From a seminary? YES!
I’m fully aware I could get bamboozled by Christian women who think that accepting a home-based calling is akin to stuffing your brains in a jar, screwing the lid on tight and burying it in the backyard. I’m okay with that.
Megan Aug 20, 2007 3:39 PM
I meant, I’m okay with being bamboozled. I don’t think it’s true that my brains are buried in the backyard…
Meg Robison Aug 20, 2007 5:03 PM
I’m disappointed, but not surprised, to see the highly negative comments on this story on the LJS website. Women are conditioned to get very upset at the idea that homemaking is a career. Maybe getting men involved in a program like this at the collegiate/seminary level would help recognize that both men and women can be full-time caregivers and these skills are not just “women’s work” — while at the same time further legitimizing homemaking as a career choice.
Mom L Aug 20, 2007 5:20 PM
Thirty-three years ago my husband and I decided that one of us would be at home with our children all of the time…usually it was me, but sometimes the daddy. As a Christian woman I felt the financial and cultural tug to work. No one ligitimized our choice. I chose to take 2 weeks off work to stay with my mother as she died…some thought it was unnecessary, but I didn’t. I needed to be with my mother. I needed to be with my children. It comes down to personal choice not cultural validation. Love you always, Beck, and I am so proud of you,
Mom
jw Aug 20, 2007 5:36 PM
In light of your recent blog, you must take a look at this website: http://www.hearts-at-home.org/new/
Jill Savage is one cool lady who heads up this organization. Her sole purpose is to professionalize motherhood and she does a great job at it.
I first heard her speak on Focus on the Family a number a years ago and I’ve made plans to attend her conference for many years now, but, wouldn’t you know it, motherhood keeps getting in the way! First there was debate, then fine arts competition–now there’s band! Some day… I think you’ll like her A LOT. She’s funny, contemporary. Very open and honest and real. Take a look. GIve a listen.
RT Aug 20, 2007 5:47 PM
Ha! Mom knows I have a bone to pick regarding some negative cultural views of a stay-at-home mom.
Lindsey Aug 20, 2007 10:41 PM
Ironically, my sister sent me the link to this degree program several weeks ago, and I also found info on the website about a program on how to be a pastor’s wife. THAT, I snickered at, because it was very stereotypical.
I took several child development classes at college as they were also geared towards teaching kids in the church–which is what I’m interested in(the “present” aspect), but I also took them with a view that much of the information would be valuable if I ever have my own kids someday (the “future” aspect). The difficulty is, I can’t say with certainty that that will ever happen, so I would imagine some of the courses focused on being a wife and mother would be hard to take if you didn’t know if you would ever occupy that role.
Monica Aug 21, 2007 6:44 AM
Minus any particulars on whether or not it should be in a seminary setting or others – it is such a great idea. I love the fact that young women who truly desire to be wives and mothers – homemakers – can be encouraged in this and even given the opportunity to be well prepared as they learn all of the great things being taught.
I agree with Lindsey though, if I had known I could take these kind of classes – I would have loved the thought. But, would I have been stopped by – what if I never get married and have children?
An interesting idea – and anytime women are encouraged to be at home for the right reasons – I am in favor!
RT Aug 21, 2007 9:26 AM
To be honest, I never would have wanted to take courses in homemaking prior to having children. The very idea would have irritated me to no end. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be a homemaker *someday*, but my rebellious spirit would have, well, rebelled against the very notion.
I want to take these classes now because they mean something to me at this point in my life.