The impact of Home Economics on Maltese boys' lifestyles and those of their families

Abstract

Home Economics education was first offered to Maltese male Secondary level pupils in 1992. During the first nine years of the provision the popularity of Home Economics as an area of specialisation amongst male pupils increased dramatically, yet minimal research into the effect of this trend was conducted. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of Home Economics education on lifestyle choices and behaviours of teenage males and their families. By conducting a questionnaire-based survey among the national sample of Form 3 and Form 4 male Home Economics pupils, as well as through a telephone interview with a randomly selected number of these male adolescents' parents, the researchers looked into the impact of five areas within the Home Economics syllabus, namely: Food and Nutrition, Leisure Time, Environmental Awareness, Critical Thinking and Decision Making. The major findings which emerged from the results of this study were that, in fact, all the five Home Economics areas selected for investigation were having a positive impact on the male adolescents' lives. Generally speaking, Horne Economics had helped the students to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in order to make informed choices in the areas of Food and Nutrition, Leisure Time, Critical Thinking and Decision Making. The area which called for greatest improvement was that of Environmental Awareness. Similarly the parents reported that a significant change in the family lifestyle as a result of their son's Home Economics education was with regards to family food choice and food preparation, with the healthier options being chosen. On the other hand, the results from the parents interviews also indicated that environmental education in Home Economics was not having the desired impact. Moreover, Home Economics had played an important part in improving the sons' and family's decision making. Considering this beneficial influence that Home Economics was having on a number of the male adolescents lifestyle choices and behaviours and the positive response obtained from their families, the researchers argued that Home Economics' becoming a compulsory subject in Secondary education would be very advantageous to all Maltese male pupils, to improve their and their family's quality of life.