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Chapter 3
The Current State of the F amily The Current State of the F amily
and Consumer Sciences Profession and Consumer Sciences Profession
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
• articulate the mission and body of knowledge
in family and consumer sciences.
• explain what it means to be a professional.
• describe or demonstrate the components of
professional ethics in words and actions.
• identify the importance of leadership and
professional organizations in family and
consumer sciences.
• make a personal commitment to being an
active member of at least one professional
organization.
In the first two chapters of this book, you
learned about the history of the family and con-
sumer sciences profession, defined family, and
explored how the family is a social unit that
interacts within a given culture or environment.
How has the discipline of family and consumer
sciences evolved since the days of Ellen Swallow
Richards? How has its mission stayed the same?
In this chapter, readers will learn about these
questions and will explore the current state of
the discipline and profession, analyze the con-
temporary mission of family and consumer sci-
ences, and identify organizations that support
family and consumer sciences students and
professionals. Other information in the chapter
focuses on professionalism, the role of ethics,
and leadership.
Aaron’s Questions
Professor Hardy sat down to talk with Aaron,
a prospective apparel design major, about the
program offered at the state university. Aaron
had been drawn to the ever-changing world of
fashion since he traveled to Europe as a part of
his high school French studies. He was anxious to
make his way into the fashion industry, but knew
that he wanted a college degree. As Professor
Hardy went over the curriculum, potential career
opportunities, and questions about the apparel
design program and the university in general,
Aaron stopped her and asked, “So why is
apparel design a part of the school of family and
consumer sciences? What does that mean? How
is this program different from a technical degree
program in apparel design, and why do I need
to take a course introducing me to family and
consumer sciences? And while I am asking those
questions, why do I need a degree? Can’t I just
learn apparel design skills on my own?”
How would you answer the questions Aaron
posed to Professor Hardy? Maybe you have
asked these questions yourself. These and other
questions will be answered in this chapter.
The Mission of Family
and Consumer Sciences
Why are apparel design and other special-
izations placed within the academic unit of fam-
ily and consumer sciences? The answer to this
question is reflected in the mission of family and