Why Study Home Economics 1955 Vintage PSA Funny Public Service

Why Study Home Economics 1955 Vintage PSA Funny Public Service

This fine film attempts to cloak fifties "happy homemaker" stereotyping in the mantle of science. It opens as Janice and Carol, two sisters, try to decide which classes they want to attend next semester. Janice remarks that she wants to take some courses in Home Ec, to which Carol is aghast. "Home Economics?" she scoffs. "Why in the world do you want to take Home Economics?" Janice is not easily dissuaded, and replies "Why? Because that's something I'm gonna need to KNOW. If I'm gonna be a homemaker the rest of my life, I want to know what I'm doing!"
To confirm her point of view, Janice visits "Miss Jenkins," her Home Ec teacher, who explains that Home Economics isn't just baking and sewing; it teaches "the fundamental principals of food buying" and "the psychology of clothing." "Present-day textiles cannot be judged with confidence just by casual examination," Miss Jenkins cautions, as we see shots of girls peering through microscopes and stretching cloth swatches on a mechanical rack. If Janice decides not to get married ("at least, not right away" Miss Jenkins chuckles) she can apply her Home Ec training to college courses such as chemistry and bacteriology, or so this film insists.
"Home economics training teaches ways of developing democratic practices within the home," Miss Jenkins adds, patriotically, but she doesn't have to say any more to convince Janice. "Anyone who's going to be married and a homemaker would be foolish NOT to take Home Economics!"

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[Courtney Nicole]

So, they have a Home Ec honors in college or something?

[ZoeSquared21]

While home decorating seems a bit silly, food preparation, clothing design, money management, and especially child development would be useful for any student. My school's family studies course got cut because not enough people enrolled... so sad!

[tryingmyluck]

Whoooa, Carol is not easy on the eyes, no wonder she has no interest in home ec...unlikely to get married!

[mattc941]

Stupid Obama.

[SpeedyTase]

Hello! Rifftrax!!!

[voltaman33]

This is so great! Funnily sexist.

[Miromakimaka]

oh goooood this is so sexist, hahaha!