The Recent Tendency of Home Economics Education in the Federal Republic of Germany : In the Cases of "Hauptschule and Realschule"

Abstract

This study aims to get an understanding of the recent tendency of home economics education in secondary education in the State of Baden-Wiirttemberg in Germany and to compare it with home economics education in Japan. The results obtained are as follows: 1. In "Hauptschule", the subject which deals with home economics is called "Hauswirtschaft /Textiles Werken". It is a compulsory subject and its content is substantial and of fundamental vocational training. In "Realschule" since 1994, the subject which deals with home economics is called "Menschen und Umwelt". And the subject which deals with industrial arts is called "Natur und Technik". Namely, home economics education and industrial arts in secondary education are independent of each other. 2. Since 1994, the course of study for secondary schools prescribes the aims and contents of the instruction in areas such as natur, environment, information science, water, family, health, drug addiction, gender and the neighbors who are in need of helps. These areas are systimatically dealt with in and across all subjects including "Hauswirtschaft/ Textiles Werken" and "Menschen und Umwelt" aiming at education for the whole man.