Once upon a time, schools taught girls home economics and boys were sent to shop class
In addition to being taught these skills, it also taught them gender stereotypes.
They were taught that a woman’s role was in the home and taking care of the household and children while men were supposed to serve as providers and builders.
But that’s been changing. Schools and students are realizing that these types of things are all relevant life skills that everyone learns how to change.
According to the New York Times, by 1993 5.3 million students in the U.S. were enrolled in home economic classes and 41.5 percent of those were boys.
That’s a huge jump compared to just 4.2 percent boys out of 2.2 million students in 1968. Many schools like, The Montecastelo School of Spain, are trying to show their students that gender stereotypes should no longer exist.
Their slogan is: “Equality is learned with actions.”
Their staff has added ironing, sewing, and cooking to the curriculum for boys alongside masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical classes.
The school started these offerings in 2018.
“It seemed very useful for our students to learn to perform these tasks so that, when they form a family, they are involved from the beginning and know that a house is a matter of two,” School coordinator Gabriel Bravo told Newsner. “It’s not a matter of the woman cleaning, doing the dishes, and ironing. This will allow them to become aware and learn to handle themselves at home.”
It was definitely something new for the boys to get used to. Some students even though it was a joke at first.
But, eventually, some students said it helped them realize just how much work their parents have to do to keep their household running smoothly.
“At first, I thought it was a joke, that it couldn’t be” students told Konbini.com. “I personally feel that it allows me to realize how much work it is for parents and I see it’s not that easy”, another pupil said.
“They must understand that this is not a woman’s job, but also a man’s one. They need to know how to iron too,” Luna said.
“Well done, I hope that more schools will follow,” said one Facebook user.
“It seems to me something fabulous, it should be done in more schools and also take it to effect in their homes with their mothers,” said another.
“I love this, I wish my country Kenya could borrow a leaf. I would like to connect with you guys,” and another.
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