IMAGE BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABILITY

IN HOME ECONOMICS

C.A.H.E. Conference, Grenada

Audrey A. Jones-Drayton (M. Ed.)

7th April 2009

HOME ECONOMICS DEFINED

“ A field of study and a profession situated in the human sciences and draws from a range of disciplines to achieve optimal and sustainable living for individuals, families and communities”

Position StatementI.F.H.E. Think Tank

HOME ECONOMICS DEFINED

Home Economists should be advocates for individuals and communities

Position Statement

I.F.H.E. Think Tank

VALUES IN HOME ECONOMICS

healthy growth and development of all members of the family.

good interpersonal relationships. foster their physical, moral and social growth

and development. carry out intelligent decisions establish long-range goals for financial

security

HOME ECONOMICS DEFINED

Home Economics is “concerned with empowerment and well being of families while developing attributes of life long learning for paid and unpaid and voluntary employment”

Position StatementI.F.H.E. Think Tank

ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

Values in Home Economics. Representing the image. The role of the Home Economist in the

community Advocacy and the home economist.

VALUES IN HOME ECONOMICS

plan consumption of goods and services. economical purchase of goods and services. maintaining a home. enrich lives through the creative use of

leisure. participate in legislative and other social

action. appreciation of differing cultures

REPRESENTING THE IMAGE

Deportment Speech Social Skills Character

THE HOME ECONOMIST IN THE COMMUNITY

Teacher Mentor Social worker but most of all should be an Advocate for social issues Other roles?

U.N. MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

– Poverty– Universal primary education– Gender equality– Child mortality– Maternal health – Environmental sustainability– HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.– Global partnership for development

ADVOCACY DEFINED

Cohen (2001) advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes, such as public policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions, that directly affect people’s current lives.

ADVOCACY DEFINED

Young and Everett (2004) defined advocacy as a deliberate process of speaking out on issues of concern in order to exert some influence on behalf of ideas or persons

METHODS OF ADVOCACY

Interest-group advocacy: The main tool used is mass advocacy by lobbying

Bureaucratic advocacy: “Experts” present the issues to decision-makers.

Independent advocacy: Persons network or use personal contacts and strategies to institute change.

AN ADVOCATE

Objectivity Independence Sensitivity and Understanding Knowledge and Judgment Assertiveness Ethics and Respect for Others

AN ADVOCATE

Be culturally sensitive.Make accommodations for language.Make accommodations for the

disabled.Refrain from abusive conduct.Adhere to a code of confidentiality.Be trustworthy and honest.

ARE YOU A TRUE HOME ECONOMIST ?

Thank you for your attention !!