Description |
226 p. : ill. ; 24 cm. |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (p. [189]-210) and index. |
Contents |
A department of one's own -- At home in the world -- Future homemakers of America -- Burn your braisers -- Flip this housewife. |
Summary |
For Americans who came of age in the mid-twentieth century, home economics conjures memories of burnt toast and sewing disasters. But as historian Megan Elias shows in Stir It Up, home economics began as an idealistic reform movement in higher education as early as the 1900s. A major shift occurred in the 1950s, when new ideas about women's roles seemed to divert home economics into more traditional channels, and "home ec" became identified with the era's conformist culture. Stir It Up explains what the successes and failures of home economists can tell us about American culture. The book concludes with an examination of contemporary attitudes toward domesticity, putting the phenomena of Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, Ty Pennington, and the "Mommy Wars" into historical context. --from publisher description. |
Subject |
Home economics -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Women -- United States -- Social conditions -- 20th century.
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ISBN |
9780812221213 (pbk.) |
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0812221214 (pbk.) |
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9780812240795 (alk. paper) |
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0812240790 (alk. paper) |
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