A “Family” in High School Home Economics in Japan: An Analysis of Textbooks for “Basic Home Economics”

Abstract

　　The purpose of this study was to analyze 12 textbooks for “Basic Home Economics” at Japanese high schools in 2020. This study sought to ascertain the knowledge, and especially that regarding “family,” that they were attempting trying to convey to high school students. First, we analyzed the national curriculum guidelines and identified 79 items that we classified into 11 categories. We added 26 items, for a total of 105 items. These items constituted a “List of Contents of Home Economics Textbook (CHET)” (Study 1). This list was then used to analyze the content of all 12 textbooks (Study 2). Results revealed that the number of each items covered varied and that content related to reproduction as a function of the family, such as “the importance of having and raising children” and “the physical and mental development and lives of infants and toddlers,” were described more frequently, while descriptions of self-development during adolescence and gender issues were mentioned relatively infrequently. The 12 textbooks were classified into three clusters, and there were differences in the number of descriptions of family, society, and gender. Moreover, the content of the new national curriculum guidelines (effective as of 2022) was also examined; although some content was added, there were no major changes (Study 3).