In the Los Angeles area we have not had Home Ec for decades. I just asked my son, who is just shy of 33 if he remembered if his junior or senior high school had Home Ec and he was pretty sure that was already gone as well as the "male" oriented classes such as wood or auto shop. When I was in high school the physical location of my school was considered out in the boonies, therefore not noticed much, and the District tested classes there. Cooking for boys and auto/wood shop for girls were some of the classes tested. They were tremendously popular. Don't think they ever actually made it into the mainstream.

I wish the schools had the funds to add more of the creative arts, along with music and practical education (shop classes) to the curriculum, but, at least in my area, it is looking like that may never happen again.

I just asked my sophomore son...they have wood shop..and cooking classes, but no sewing. I too think its a matter of money. The money it takes to purchase and maintain the machines is too much. I have had grown friends ask me to teach them how to sew. Depends on the friend!

I had one semester of sewing (and one of cooking) in junior high, nothing after that, and I don't think it was offered. I learned to sew mostly on my own with a little help from my mother, and only started quilting a few years ago. Back then (in the dark ages) it was necessary to sew because "store bought" things were much more expensive than home made. That is no longer the case, and I think that is why people don't sew as much, except as a hobby. I think 4-H has always been the main opportunity for young people to learn to sew.

This has nothing to do with it here! It is simply a matter of money and passing the tests they are required to administer. Many small districts were able to get rid of programs and teachers that were costing extra money, and the larger districts were able to add more academic courses! They do have classes like "Life Skills" where they carry around an egg that they are responsible for(their baby), and things the kids just think are 'silly'. I am not sure which grade or course, but there are some students from the HS who go to the LQS for a day and learn to do one project.

Back in the olden days, when I was in school, I learned sewing from my mom and my 4-H teachers during elementary school or "grade school" as it was then known, then we had home ec. as well in high school where we also had sewing, cooking, nutrition, etc. I think it is a great loss that these are not taught anymore. I never could understand why there were women and men who didn't know how to sew. Now I understand. What a loss! Is there still 4-H in school? I know is it a volunteer extra curricular activity, but we either met at the schools or at someones home. Is it still done? Besides in the rural areas?

I teach a quilting course in the continuing education program at our local high school. The room I have been assigned to use is the home economics room. From what I can see, there is a lot of attention paid on cooking. The kids also learn about child care. Besides for the machines my students bring in the evenings, I have never seen a sewing machine in the room. Home sewing is a dying art. You will always have people interested and learning, but maybe from relatives and friends, not from our public education system.

Are you implying that it is woman's work to take care of the household? As for the ironing "long live permanent press"

I married a GI. Uncle Sam taught that boy to do all things his momma didn't, including ironing.

Honestly, I don't think as much value is placed on making things by hand yourself when we live in a society where bought is often cheaper. It's a shame really that many hand crafts (no matter the craft) are not taught.

It's because of societal changes and schools having to teach what parents don't. I'm 60 and back when I was in high school it was taboo for unmarried girls to having babies. Schools have to focus on child care now. Also, with more emphasis on testing, "vocational" courses took a back seat.

Contact your local/state 4H office. They would love to hear what you have to offer.

I think it depends on the school district as to what is offered. My kids, who graduated from a relatively small HS in the 90s and in 2002 all had the chance to take home ec, only the oldest (boy) and youngest (girl) did. Welding and woodshop are part of the ag program and also open to both guys and gals. As noted earlier, ag and home ec are electives and often considered 'easy' classes. Art, choir, band and drama are others that often fall by the wayside unless there is an excellent teacher that can get the kids to win UIL competition.