This article explores the history of the home economics/family and consumer sciences (HE/FCS) profession, a field that arose from the synergy created by the 20th-century Industrial Revolution (late 1800s and early 1900s). The profession was intended to strengthen and protect the home and family from the vagaries of scientific and technological…

The goal of this study is to understand the relationship between retail therapy (RT) and college students' reasons for exercising, perceived physical fitness, and psychological distress. A total of 204 usable responses were collected from female college students, with an average age of 20.69 years old. The effect of RT is significantly more…

Experiential learning is a pedagogical tool that aligns with the mission of family and consumer sciences (FCS) university programs because it emphasizes the role of formal education in the development of individuals, family members, and global citizens (Brooks & Simpson, 2014). College students benefit from experiential learning and…

Family and consumer sciences (FCS) educators were surveyed in the state of Oklahoma to gather information regarding their satisfaction with the classroom interior environment to reveal whether classroom satisfaction is related to the educators' productivity levels. Past research suggests that teachers who are satisfied with their working…

In the United States, Hispanics are disproportionately affected by diet-related health issues. As part of improving health outcomes, it is important to have healthcare professionals--such as registered dietitians--from Hispanic backgrounds so that they can use their cultural knowledge to improve the healthcare deliverables. Currently, more than…

The mental health and well-being of rural communities in the United States is a growing and serious concern. Generally, suicide rates are higher and increase more rapidly in rural areas than in urban areas (Ringgenberg et al., 2017; Steelesmith et al., 2019). Studies suggest that isolation, limited socioeconomic opportunity, and sparse access to…

The objective of this research was to conduct an assessment of perceived diet quality from a national random sample of American adults and explore how the perceived change in diet quality varied by key sociodemographic characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 835 adults across the United States completed a multi-item online survey.…

Remittances, money, or products sent to relatives at a distance is a common practice Filipino Americans use to retain ties and assist their family members living in the Philippines. This study investigated first-generation Filipino Americans' remittance practices and second-generation's intention to remit, to better understand the dynamics around…

COVID-19 ignited a revolution in retail. Family and consumer sciences (FCS) professionals, including students of retail and consumer sciences, can be the change agents that create the post-pandemic retail future. Massive disruptions to traditional retail practices for both consumers and retailers will result in changed retail environments as the…

Lighting design is an essential aspect of interior design but very few universities offer students the opportunity to study lighting design in depth as part of their Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)-accredited undergraduate interior design program. This paper makes a case for including lighting design as an indispensable part of…

Extension programming must continue to evolve by meeting the changing needs and interests of residents. Family and Consumer Sciences agents in Cooperative Extension often utilize community needs assessments to inform future programming. However, a needs-based approach alone may not incorporate residents' interest, which is important for…

What it means to be successful in many careers today is best captured by Slaughter (2012): "The American definition of a successful professional is someone who can climb the ladder the furthest in the shortest time.... It is a definition well suited to the mid-20th century, an era when people had kids in their 20s, stayed in one job, retired…

During the spring of 2020, K-12 schools were turned upside-down. The COVID-19 pandemic essentially forced all schools across the nation to close their doors and move their learning environments online. The switch to remote learning put a great deal of stress and responsibility on teachers at all levels. The content taught by family and consumer…

In March 2020, the pandemic brought significant changes to higher education modalities. This paper examines how family and consumer sciences (FCS) instructors in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary department at a large 4-year university modified instruction and related activities as a response to the pandemic. Using the Family and Consumer…

This paper presents the results of a nationwide survey of educators for grades 6-12 who specialize in family and consumer sciences education (N=380). The paper examines teacher reports about their self-efficacy in online learning during the switch to off-campus instruction. Data revealed that district communication to teachers indicating that they…