Up for debate: Homemaking as a major at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas, focusing on orientation to homemaking, the value of a child, meal preparation, basics of design, and clothing construction in a Godly way (in a Godly way?). No men allowed.
Is this 1957 or 2007?
This major is purported to have been requested by the wives of seminary students, hence targeting those women whose “calling” is the home.
Sigh.
Where do I even begin?
If there are women of society who feel the need to spend thousands of dollars on courses that “teach” them how to cook a roast or hem a skirt, then who am I to say it’s wrong? I am certainly pro-family, and I believe that anything, even a BA in Homemaking, has to be inherently good.
However, I can’t get past the stench of submissiveness that is the Baptist faith (as I perceive it). The seminary that doesn’t allow it’s female students to pastor but will train them to be better housewives.
Silly me, but I was under the impression that becoming a better housewife and mother was all about on-the-job training and phoning your mother/mother-in-law/grandmother/girlfriend for a little free advice every once in awhile. Instead of learning how to put together a flower arrangement, teach me something useful, like money management. I want to know about investing for the future, because, hey, my man won’t be bringing home the bacon forever! Instead of constructing rompers out of curtains, ala Maria Von Trapp, teach me about conflict management and resolution so I can ensure my children don’t kill each other.
I am a wife and a mother, and I have been since I was 21 years old. To think that one could teach a woman what she needs to know about these institutions in the course of a few semesters is laughable. After 8.5 years, I am still learning! While I support this class, in theory, I have to wonder if this isn’t the Baptist church reaffirming its stance on women that they, in short, belong in the home. And here’s a recipe for a nice apple pie, by the way. Now scoot, sweetie cheeks. 
Excuse me while I stick my finger down my throat.
What I really want to know is, why aren’t these wives of seminary students demanding courses for their husbands to teach them how to be better men and fathers? Studies could include, Toddler Tea Parties 101; The Art of Giving Compliments; The Anatomy and Physiology of a Household Appliance; and The Electronic Junkie: How Much is Too Much? Isn’t the role of the father just as important as the role of the mother?
*I am not a particularly “Godly” woman, but I do love my family. I believe in giving of myself to my husband and children 100% . I do not believe I am any less capable of being a good wife and mother simply because my way might be different than a Godly way.*
10 comments
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August 25, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Stephanie
Thanks for sharing your take on the controversy. I especially appreciated your acknowledgement of the very real double-standard that the degree continues to uphold: that women should be the ones doing the “homemaking” and “child-raising.” The degree certainly seems to be perpetuating the “a woman’s place is in the kitchen” mentality.
I wonder if this program is (a) new) and (b) popular? I can’t help but think that the degree title would be just a wee bit embarrassing to put down on a resume…B.A. in Homemaking. But then again, who needs a resume when you know how to cook spaghetti and can iron out wrinkles in a jiffy?
August 25, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Sonya
This is the world and the society we live in. LOL. I’m not a bit surprise.
I think women are mostly wired, when they become mothers,feed and care for our off springs, Goldly or not! As for men, I think they have to make a conscience decision to be a caring father. It’s a learned skills. There should be more courses for men to be “Godly Fathers”.
August 25, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Kathleen
It is very sad that some people don’t learn homemaking skills at home. I guess this program fills a needed void. It seems kind of weird though, like letting the schools teach our kids about sex.
August 26, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Mira
Very sad indeed. Having all daughters I confess my hackles get raised when I see such denigrating attempts to “keep them in their place.” I have nothing against teaching good life skills such as cooking, sewing, cleaning, money management, etc. But if I had boys they would have learned those tasks as well. My daughters are each taught basic mechanics of a car, changing oil, mowing the lawn. Should we stop because that’s a man’s work! Puh-leese! I find it very sad that in this day and age people are not simply treated as people rather than as the net effect of their gender.
August 27, 2007 at 8:51 am
melissa
How do the women have time for this? They are probably out working to support their husbands while they are in school. All the while they are taking care of the kids and the house too…
August 27, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Tiffany
It seems as if it is 1957. I took cooking in highschool and my mom taught me how to cook but you know what once I started living on my own I was calling mom everynight, how do I make this, how do I make that. I have never had a parenting class - it has been all on the job training. I think homemaking as a major is one of the stupidest things I have heard in a long time. And if they are going to do it they should allow men to join. I know my husband is a much better cook than me and he loves his two afternoons off a week to take care of Mikayla. He keeps telling me tht I need to make more money so he can stay home and raise the kids!!
August 27, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Lisa Knight
Hey, I think if they want lessons on how to be a better housewife they can send me the $ & come hang with us for a week!!!
I can see where the need for this arises. There are too many parents out there doing everything for their kids, they never learn to do basic things like clean the toilet. Really it doesn’t clean its self???
Of course it is offered at a Seminary, so if you aren’t into the lifestyle you wouldn’t be there anyways right? I consider myself spiritual, not religious, so you wouldn’t find me attending!!!
August 29, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Damselfly
I think the women who are taking courses like that at the college level are probably there looking for a Christian husband — not really that they need college to teach them those things.
I agree, courses on husband-ing and fatherhood would be great to see. Or better yet, shake up the homemaking curriculum so it’s relevant for both men and women so both can learn those skills!
August 30, 2007 at 9:57 am
Donlyn
Love your post! A Godly way is to be 100% you! Only then can your children be who they are meant to be and only then can we accept our husbands for who they are. See my post on http://www.homesteadorigins.com on Home Economics. That was a great way to live in the 50’s but as soon as my Mom didn’t have a family to take care of, she entered into a deep depression. This would not have happened had she been free for self-actualization. Which I believe is Godly! (fundamentalists - geesh!)
October 2, 2007 at 12:22 am
justlovehim
Another interesting post. I agree with you that if there is a degree program teaching how to be a good housewife, then it seems fitting to add a degree program for a man to be a good provider and husband.
I don’t think that women should have to stay home and take care of the kids and do the cooking/cleaning, etc. It is my opinion, though, that the majority of women desire this. I know that before I became a wife and mother, I thought I wanted a degree and an important career. Now that I am married and have a daughter, however, I am so content to stay home and take care of her. I did get my degree, and I will use it someday, but for now I am happy at home. I have all day to spend with my daughter and tidy up and run errands and cook dinner for my husband, and I’m happy with that for now.
I honestly don’t see the idea of a degree in homemaking as such a bad idea. There are some women out there who would surely benefit from it.