V
Introduction Introduction
What does family and consumer sciences
have to do with life today? Everything. Families
and communities still exist, and the desire to live
a quality life while providing for the basic needs of
food, clothing, and shelter is as relevant today as it
was 100 years ago. From designing accessible hous-
ing for an aging population to helping children
complete their high school education, all areas of
specialization with family and consumer sciences
are called on to help individuals, families, and
communities adjust to a changing environment.
This is a book about life, education, and
career stories. It is the story of Ellen Swallow
Richards and her visionary contemporaries who
founded the family and consumer sciences dis-
cipline. It is about home economists and fam-
ily and consumer sciences professionals who
improved the quality of life for individuals,
families, and communities in the century since
the inception of the discipline. It is the story of
family and consumer sciences professionals cur-
rently working in the field. It is also your story.
This text is also about possibilities. Career
prospects for each family and consumer sciences
specialization area are presented. Contemporary
trends and issues are discussed with an emphasis
on possibilities for family and consumer sciences
professionals of the present and future. Trends
that will affect families of the future are discussed.
As these and other trends emerge, family and
consumer sciences professionals will adapt and
change with the environment in order to improve
the quality of life for individuals, families, and
communities.
This text provides guidance about how to
move into the workplace and how to make a dif-
ference in the lives of others. The text focuses on
ways you can excel in the workplace and make
an impact on your world. This includes work
habits, attitudes, and healthy habits that lead
to career success. Professionalism and lifelong
learning are also important to career success.
Whether designing or selling fashion or
offering hospitality services, family and con-
sumer sciences emphasizes improving the qual-
ity of life. You will be encouraged to reflect on
the profession, your skills, talents, and interests.
After reading this text, you should have a solid
understanding of the mission and philosophy
of the profession, the current state of family and
community life, career possibilities in the pro-
fession, and an assessment of your potential for
making a difference in the world as a family and
consumer sciences professional.