The field of family and consumer science education is the study of how to manage the adult challenges of career, family, and day-to-day living. This discipline focuses primarily upon mastering the basic skills adults and families need — from shopping for nutrition bars and fuel-efficient cars to negotiating a raise and resolving a family dispute – in order to make educated and informed decisions and also to enjoy healthy and productive lives. Students or professionals majoring or studying this field work as social workers, dieticians, nutritionists, health educators, interior designers, and gynecologists and obstetricians.
Child Development
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Child Development- This resource offers information on a variety of topics related to Child Development, including developmental milestones, tips and advice for parents, and developmental monitoring and evaluation.
National Association for Child Development- The National Association for Child Development (NACD) provides neurodevelopmental evaluations and individualized programs for children and adults, As a family-centered organization, NACD stresses parent training and parent implementation of the program.
Family Economics
The American Family and Family Economics- This well-written and insightful paper discusses how families have changed in recent decades, focusing on specific changes such as the separation of sex, marriage, and childbearing, fewer children and smaller households, work and education patterns for men and women, and class divergence in partnering and parenting strategies.
Home Economics Archive- Hosted by Cornell University’s Mann Library, this site is a core electronic collection of books and journals in home economics and related disciplines beginning in 1850.
Food and Nutrition
Food and Nutrition Information Center- The Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) is a leader in on-line global nutrition information. The FNIC website contains over 2,500 links to current and reliable nutrition information.
Let’s Move! Let’s Move! is an initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation
Historical Resources
Home Economics Brings Modernity to the Kitchen- This online exhibit and collection from Cornell University offers a comprehensive history of how the study of “science” first entered, influenced, and revolutionized the home kitchen.
Harvest of Freedom: The History of Kitchen Gardens in America- Drawing from the special collections of Mann Library and the Ethel Zoe Bailey Horticultural Catalogue Collection of the Bailey Hortorium, this exhibit featured by Cornell University highlights the changing yet enduring history of kitchen gardening in America.
Not by Bread Alone: America’s Culinary Heritage- “Not by Bread Alone” explores the influences and inventions that have shaped American food habits over the past two hundred years.
Meatless Monday, Wheatless Wednesdays: Home Economists in World War One-To further its mission of persuading Americans to voluntarily restrict their use of wheat, meat, fats and sugar during World War I, the Food Administration, led by Herbert Hoover, relied upon women Home Economics Directors, whose responsibilities involved creating volunteer networks and educating the public about food conservation and preservation, growing vegetables and healthful dietary practices. Cornell University’s online exhibit contains a comprehensive history of this movement.
Human Ecology Historical Photographs-This website provides a database of selected images and information from the records of the New York State College of Home Economics at Cornell University.
Human Development
Human Development Resource Council- The Human Development Resource Council (HDRC) is a trusted resource of medically cited facts online and at educational institutions. This resource provides downloadable documents, videos, presentations and statistical pages for further study and research in human development.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development- The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)is an organization which conducts and supports research on topics related to the health of children, adults, families, and populations.
Parenting
Parenting Resources- This comprehensive resource covers a variety of topics related to parenting, including parenting for infants, toddlers, adolescents, and teens.
American Coalition for Fathers and Children- This organization works to ensure children maintain full relationships with both their parents in the event of divorce or in cases of unmarried parentage.
Sexual Education
Guttmacher Institute- Guttmatcher Institute works to advance sexual and reproductive health worldwide through research, policy analysis, and public education.
National Coalition to Support Sexuality Education -The National Coalition to Support Sexuality Education (NCSSE) consists of 140 national organizations dedicated to comprehensive sexuality education for all children and youth in the United States.
Talking to Kids about Sex and Sexuality- This resource from Planned Parenthood Federation of American offers information and advice for parents on talking with children about sex and sexuality.
Talking to Toddlers and Preschoolers about Sex- This comprehensive resource focuses on speaking with young children regarding sex and sexuality.
Publications
Family Science-Family Science is the official journal of the European Society on Family Relations, and promotes the development of Family Science within Europe and around the globe.
Professional Organizations
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences-The mission of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is to provide leadership and support for professionals whose work includes assisting individuals, families, and communities in making educated decisions about their well being, relationships, and resources.
National Council on Family Relations- The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) is the premier professional and research association for the multidisciplinary understanding of families.
