Chapter 3 The Current State of the F amily and Consumer Sciences Profession
43
Wellness Institute defines wellness as “an active
process through which people become aware
of, and make choices toward, a more success-
ful existence” (National Wellness Institute, n.d.,
“Defining Wellness”). When hearing the word
wellness people often think first of physical well-
ness, but wellness has several other components,
including emotional, social, occupational, intel-
lectual, and spiritual wellness (Fain & Lewis,
2002).
Optimal physical wellness results from
good exercise and eating habits, self-care, appro-
priate use of medical services, and avoiding the
abuse of drugs and alcohol. Emotional well-
ness has to do with recognizing, accepting, and
managing one’s feelings. Emotionally healthy
individuals express feelings appropriately, cope
with stress, form close relationships with others,
and develop an optimistic outlook. The occupa-
tional dimension of wellness includes pursuing
a career that best complements your interests,
values, and abilities and finding satisfaction in
your work. Social wellness refers to develop-
ing friendships, contributing to the commu-
nity, and living in harmony with other people
and nature. Spiritual wellness is developed
through personal reflection to find meaning in
your life and clarify your own truth and values.
It may or may not have a religious component.
Intellectual wellness involves challenging one’s
mind, learning new things, and expanding your
creative and critical thinking abilities (Hettler,
1976; Fain & Lewis, 2002).
The FCS profession has a long history of
promoting physical wellness, especially by
those who practice dietetics and nutrition edu-
cation. These contributions are recognized by
other professions. An article in the Journal of
the American Medical Association pointed out the
important role that family and consumer sci-
ences teachers have in the nation’s fight against
obesity (Lichtenstein & Ludwig, 2010). When
a preschool teacher says, “Tell Victor why you
are so angry; you don’t need to hit him,” she is
helping a child learn to express emotions appro-
priately. What other examples show that FCS
professionals help others optimize wellness?
Cross-Cutting Theme:
Appropriate Use of Technology
Thirteen-year-old Anna Schiferl was still
in bed when she texted her mom, who was in
the kitchen, that she wanted cinnamon rolls for
breakfast. Her mother reminded her that she is
not allowed to text people who are in the same
house. Communication experts are becoming
concerned that people are losing the ability to
have the face-to-face conversations that build
personal relationships (Associated Press, 2012).
Throughout the history of the field, fam-
ily and consumer sciences professionals have
examined the relationship between technology
and the people who use it. In the early years of
the profession, home economists helped intro-
duce technology into homes as a way to reduce
labor. Labor-saving devices such as vacuum
cleaners and automatic washers were seen as
ways to free women from the burdens of house-
work. As systems thinking became central to
the field, awareness grew that the implementa-
tion of new technologies usually had unforeseen
consequences. By the 1970s, some home econo-
mists were questioning the high-energy lifestyle
that was being promoted by the extensive use of
technology. Over the past 100 years, the field has
moved beyond the unquestioning use of tech-
nology to solve problems, to also examining the
problems caused by technology (Elias, 1987).
FCS professionals today recognize that tech-
nologies are generally neither good nor bad;
they can be used in ways that harm or help.
The challenge for the profession is to “question
whether the actual and possible applications of
technology improve well-being and at whose
expense” (Makela, 2008) and to match the tech-
nology appropriately to the task (Braun, 2008).
For example, genetic modification research
utilizing genome exploration and DNA knowl-
edge will offer new health alternatives, elimi-
nating some diseases and curing others. Drug
companies are frequently introducing new
drugs that can help treat symptoms or even cure
many illnesses and ailments. Even our food is
changing. Crop and animal food products will
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Extracted Text (may have errors)


Chapter 3 The Current State of the F amily and Consumer Sciences Profession
43
Wellness Institute defines wellness as “an active
process through which people become aware
of, and make choices toward, a more success-
ful existence” (National Wellness Institute, n.d.,
“Defining Wellness”). When hearing the word
wellness people often think first of physical well-
ness, but wellness has several other components,
including emotional, social, occupational, intel-
lectual, and spiritual wellness (Fain & Lewis,
2002).
Optimal physical wellness results from
good exercise and eating habits, self-care, appro-
priate use of medical services, and avoiding the
abuse of drugs and alcohol. Emotional well-
ness has to do with recognizing, accepting, and
managing one’s feelings. Emotionally healthy
individuals express feelings appropriately, cope
with stress, form close relationships with others,
and develop an optimistic outlook. The occupa-
tional dimension of wellness includes pursuing
a career that best complements your interests,
values, and abilities and finding satisfaction in
your work. Social wellness refers to develop-
ing friendships, contributing to the commu-
nity, and living in harmony with other people
and nature. Spiritual wellness is developed
through personal reflection to find meaning in
your life and clarify your own truth and values.
It may or may not have a religious component.
Intellectual wellness involves challenging one’s
mind, learning new things, and expanding your
creative and critical thinking abilities (Hettler,
1976; Fain & Lewis, 2002).
The FCS profession has a long history of
promoting physical wellness, especially by
those who practice dietetics and nutrition edu-
cation. These contributions are recognized by
other professions. An article in the Journal of
the American Medical Association pointed out the
important role that family and consumer sci-
ences teachers have in the nation’s fight against
obesity (Lichtenstein & Ludwig, 2010). When
a preschool teacher says, “Tell Victor why you
are so angry; you don’t need to hit him,” she is
helping a child learn to express emotions appro-
priately. What other examples show that FCS
professionals help others optimize wellness?
Cross-Cutting Theme:
Appropriate Use of Technology
Thirteen-year-old Anna Schiferl was still
in bed when she texted her mom, who was in
the kitchen, that she wanted cinnamon rolls for
breakfast. Her mother reminded her that she is
not allowed to text people who are in the same
house. Communication experts are becoming
concerned that people are losing the ability to
have the face-to-face conversations that build
personal relationships (Associated Press, 2012).
Throughout the history of the field, fam-
ily and consumer sciences professionals have
examined the relationship between technology
and the people who use it. In the early years of
the profession, home economists helped intro-
duce technology into homes as a way to reduce
labor. Labor-saving devices such as vacuum
cleaners and automatic washers were seen as
ways to free women from the burdens of house-
work. As systems thinking became central to
the field, awareness grew that the implementa-
tion of new technologies usually had unforeseen
consequences. By the 1970s, some home econo-
mists were questioning the high-energy lifestyle
that was being promoted by the extensive use of
technology. Over the past 100 years, the field has
moved beyond the unquestioning use of tech-
nology to solve problems, to also examining the
problems caused by technology (Elias, 1987).
FCS professionals today recognize that tech-
nologies are generally neither good nor bad;
they can be used in ways that harm or help.
The challenge for the profession is to “question
whether the actual and possible applications of
technology improve well-being and at whose
expense” (Makela, 2008) and to match the tech-
nology appropriately to the task (Braun, 2008).
For example, genetic modification research
utilizing genome exploration and DNA knowl-
edge will offer new health alternatives, elimi-
nating some diseases and curing others. Drug
companies are frequently introducing new
drugs that can help treat symptoms or even cure
many illnesses and ailments. Even our food is
changing. Crop and animal food products will

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