The Domestic Science of Sustainable Living

In 2016, our founder and managing partner coined the phrase sustainable living as a concept to consider in the study of domestic science. Home economics spans broad topics, but the classic facets of home economics studied sanitary chemistry, food preparation, household arts, housekeeping, and nutrition. In the spirit of standing on the shoulders of great women, this article seeks to preserve the integrity of the categories these women applied and discursively studied in the discipline of Domestic Science. While similar, the nascent topic of modern sustainable domestic science covers digital community connection, therapeutic science (e.g., gardening, culinary arts, and repurposing), surface area decontamination, and human adaptability.

Much has changed since the development of home economics in 1897. Ellen Richards, a chemist who specialized in sanitation sciences, led the movement of Domestic Science by founding the Lake Placid conference. Her discursive excursion forged a path for women's entry into esteemed STEM-based Universities, such as MIT. Our current global situation solidifies Richard’s discovery into a more significant subject and relatable more than ever before today.

“[to garner] …academic acceptance for domestic science, it must be standardized, systematized, upgraded, and professionalized” (Richards, 1890).

In this article, scholarly perspectives were explored to ameliorate the current state of this discipline. The following areas of home economics are inspired to revive and expand the application and study of neo-home economics.

1. Natural Resource Management (previously Cooking/ Food preparation)

Some may argue that eating is the pinnacle of living, evoking sensations close to pleasure. Nutritional diets on the forefront of popularity today often underpin goals to improve humanity and or lifestyle. An increasing number of plant-based curious patrons are interested in participating in carbon offset caused by current farming practices. I find a plant-based veggie cleanse for increments of 3-9 months helps me use leftover produce, offset meat consumption effectively by reducing animal intake and benefiting my nutritional balance. Regardless of your dietary restrictions, food waste occurs in the kitchen due to a lack of convenient systems to redistribute said organics or biomaterial. Once circular economy loops are closed, the opportunity for increased optimization of natural resource usage will become more effective. Personal development to achieve the convenience for a complete circular economy requires patience across the supply chain and sheer determination from within. Until then, try thinking of three different dishes to make with one ingredient to limit food waste.

2. Human Development & Behavioral Assessment (previously Child Development)

While previous home economics studies concentrated on women's education to develop child-rearing skills, this archaic concept is far from contemporary reality. Some may argue that the responsibility for young humans is to be equally distributed, otherwise, legal proceedings are sure to ensue. This category has subsumed a broader purview of character enhancement, as “men and women are alike concerned in understanding the processes, activities, obligations, and opportunities the home and family effective parts of the social fabric” (p28 Stage, 1997).

The dawn of the era of the self-help book triggered more heuristic approaches to aiding the development of individuals who cohabitate or share the responsibility of children. Recognizing self-deficiency, then seeking an external source for techniques to ease the issue from within tames family disputes much sooner than traditional domestic problems-solving. Another faction of home economic involves virtual space; character reinforcement occurs across social media platforms where repetitive content beckons habit modification. Digital therapy for in-home care has become increasingly accessible to those who probably need it most. In short, these self-development mechanisms expose youth who are growing more acquainted with digital tools to complex content and encoding. These introspective assessments of personal development alter the way we learn in and outside of the home.

3. Sustainable Education, Digital connection & Cultural Enrichment (previously Education & Community Awareness)

Conducting a waste-free lifestyle requires a commitment to a new regimen in the home and during day-to-day activities. The probability of practicing waste-free activity increases when notifications remind occupants about the waste-free environment. Sustainable education does not necessitate enrolling in a long-term degree program to earn the ability to live waste-free. Due to information systems integrated with digital accessories becoming popular operating new equipment in a new space without a proverbial knowledge base is possible. Crossing social spheres is less daunting behind the screen creating an opportunity for connections across socio-economic strata.

4. Design Materials and Repurposing (previously Sewing and Textiles)

Reduce, Reuse, recycle; this age-old mantra has sprouted new life as an eco-revolution, scoring several industries to integrate less waste, conservation practices, and innovation to extract and or reinvent existing waste. Ideas in the fashion industry are emerging as the demand for fast fashion to cease permeates. Materials are being sourced from more responsible bioplastic additives to accommodate both health and the environment. New companies are arriving at the scene to meet the demands for carbon offset techniques, net-zero deadlines, and climate change action.

5. Hygiene, Decontamination, and Wellness (previously Sanitization)

If you live in a drought-prone or water conservation area, you are likely less concerned with benefits from your natural microbiome and more interested in good ole’ fashioned communal survival. Paleo moms rejoice! Either way showering every other day is beneficial to your skin's health and environment. In addition, optimal nutrition enhances the ability to fight infection. Naturally, this component is an addition that has become more apparent during COVID-19 outbreaks.

While raw foods pack more nutrients in the intact flesh of produce, finding worldly ingredients such as soursop, bee pollen, turmeric, and manuka honey can boost your body shield from sickness by using food as medicine. The root of this trend pairs well with farm-to-table produce options complimenting nutrients with sustainably sourced protein sources. Hygiene is important to maintaining a healthy routine (and pleasant odor), especially during the pandemic. Having a poor daily routine or none at all, during the COVID-19 policy era is a quick way to learn about the onset of depression, sickness, and subsequently COVID paranoia with every sneeze. These areas of life are currently in focus, requiring constant surface disinfection or other UV technologies to reduce the possibility of viral transmission.

6. Timing and policy

Gathering regular informal groups during the virtual meeting restrictions became group check-ins to gauge the state of health colleagues and their families. Community gatherings keep the morale of regions alive. Many sustainable living topics on local bulletin posts are looking to expand their outreach for policy activists. Awareness of political activities that increase the ability to conduct a circular lifestyle (e.g., developments with greywater treatments, solar usage, etc.) is essential to committing waste-free to a standard form of housing. A recurrent meeting of the minds will produce common ground to share the difficulties with making a significant lifestyle shift. Sustainable living requires relearning the food system and distribution structure to include new processes with more depth of thought. It is normal to not learn everything overnight but to also be prone to error and mistakes, and that is okay! Normalizing the discussion of imperfection is important for large groups interested in becoming a part of permanent change. Removing familiar surroundings to learn in an immersive experience can bridge a commitment to these actions. While our sustainable living community focuses on reducing waste and conducting proper recycling, these attributes are not mutually exclusive to a single sustainability group interested in an active role in shaping society for the better. Sustainable living is adaptable to virtually every market segment. Current domestic practices do not have to dissolve. Waste-free living can be practiced coinciding with your current schedule. But because the necessary distribution channels and service providers have not become utility within conventional housing systems, you may find it difficult to avoid making waste in your current setting.

Typically, private topics such as health have become the centerpiece of Discussion. Public information has become more robust causing concern for virtual privacy issues associated with information acquired on social media sites. Further, these data are not protected but, in some cases, used maliciously to psychologically subdue, draw and infiltrate the trust of public members. Unfortunately, there have been advances in the social realm that should have the radars of future and current parents on alert. Cultural politeness and globalization is an impending concern for a quickly growing communication system. Foreign affairs can become a hazard if we are not careful to teach our pupils about the emphasis of cultural respect and differences before interreacting in more visible capacities.

The home is an ever-expanding center where art meets science and most importantly, human development. To progressively grow as a race, examining concepts such as “Euthenics [which] posited that social change could be produced by individuals acting decisively to alter their environment.” By committing to the improvement of self and our living conditions, yes, we can-- make home economics vital again.

Sources:

Stage, Sarah. “Ellen Richards and the Social Significance of the Home Economics Movement.” Rethinking Home Economics. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2019. 17–33. Web.

Disclaimer: No information in this publication should be misconstrued as advice or consulting. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Eco Condoshare or related partners. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.