CONCEPTS OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION

        Ogbede (2005) explained that home economics education is a self reliant orientation course. It is a dynamic field of study whose central theme is hinged on the improvement of the lives of everyone in the society. Also she stated that home economic education is the study of human and material resources affecting homes and families and families and the utilization of knowledge gained for the benefit of mankind. It extends beyond the families to the larger society.

        Anyankoha(2002) remarked that home economics is a vocational subject aimed at helping people develop desirable social attitude and skills needed for the world or work resourcefulness and ability to adapt to life’s changing situations.

        According to home economics education of African 1993 (HEMA) said the mission of home economics education is to facilitate the process of individual, families and communities becomes more responsible, for improving their well being in relation to their economic, social, cultural, Political and physical environment.

         Chagbe (2010) identifies home economic education as a field of study that evolves out of the concern for the families. It’s concerned with ways in which the quality and content of family life can be enhanced maximally through optimum utilization its human and material resources.

2.1   Areas of Home Economic Education

 Ogbu (2001) explained that home economics is a vocational course of study that has various aspects all contributing to the development of skills all necessary for self development leading to employment. She identified areas of home economics education to include the following:

i.            Clothing and textile: the training develop skills, attitude and competences in the mode of utilizing scientific treatment of textile, the reaction of laundry treatment and process in dress making or dress construction.

ii.          Housing: this is incorporated into the education for the improvement of homes; the training determines interior dressing choice of future etc.

iii.        Food and Nutrition: it trains participant in family nutrition. This is eminent because it nourished people who are not physically, mentally capable of significant contributions to economic transformation and economic growth of the nation.

iv.         Child Development: this provides adequate orientation in training persons to make them socially acceptable, adaptable and scientifically informed. Technically equipped to establish and run a business in the day cares centre, nursery schools toys and other home and children services.

v.           Home Management: it skills makes women develop their right sense of value; appreciate the priority needs of the family and community. It gives insight on developing the skills and learning necessary for efficient running of household management of family resources and control.

2.2   ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN HOME ECONOMIC EDUCATION: 

        Adedeji (2001) defines entrepreneurship as the ability to take risk, initiate business ideas, establish it and run it successfully. He further explained that such ability is available in home economics because it’s as vocational option which develop skills and ability through gradual education and practice

        According to Okorie (2004) an entrepreneurship is a process of taking risk to adventure into unknown and unfamiliar business territories which with determination and courage help to explore and succeed.

Akanbi (2007) explained that entrepreneurship is a life long education that teaches people to learn organizational skills, time management, and leadership development and interpersonal skills all of which are highly transferable skills sought by an employer. Accordingly, entrepreneurship is an employment strategy that leads to economic self reliant, its job creator than job seeker.

2.3 Entrepreneurial Areas in Home Economics Education

According to Chagbe (2010) she explained that home economics education provides skills that build empowerment for wealth creation in the following areas:

A Food and Nutrition: the following areas of employment are available

i.            Fast food operators

ii.          Restaurant operators

iii.        Cake decorators

iv.         Salad and pie shops

v.           Catering services

B Clothing and Textile

i.            Making of men and women apparel

ii.          Production of dye material

iii.        Laundry services

iv.         Dress designers

v.           Pattern alteration.

D Housing

i.            Interior decoration

ii.          Furniture rentals

iii.        Paint shops

iv.         Furniture store

In the same vein, Okoro (2001) reported that home economics education prepares persons to be economic reliant and self sufficiency by opening doors to business opportunities.

2.4   CONCEPTS OF EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

        According to Hassan (2011), the term employment refers to the process of offering jobs to individuals in which a specified wages are paid. He stressed that such wages helps the beneficiaries to bills and reduce poverty. In the same vein, Sansui (2011) stressed that the art of employment refers to the act of getting involved in provision of economic, social and other services to the society and in return a prescribed amount is paid as salaries or wages, such processes keeps people busy, productive and reduces societal crimes of ills.

Ebong (2011) explained that employment is the process of engagement of person in both skilled and unskilled occupation in which gain is obtained and either from sales of finished products or through employment which wages are paid.

        Kate (2011) proffered that employment involves engagement of an employee by an employer for the purpose of engagement in production activities either in private or governmental organization. Such engagement offers wages or salaries to the employees; she added that acquisition of skills or competencies in vocational areas is a sure way of creating self employment and stimulation of both economic activities in the area and industrial.

Ogbade (2001) recorded that self employment refers to an act of individuals to create business activities, become employers of labour rather than an employee of labour. She added that self employment is the easiest way to acquire jobs due to the scarcity of jobs by government organizations.

Koto (2000) explained that self employment refers to acquisition of skills, Competency and attitude in a choosing vocation, planning and establishing business venture and run it successfully, make gain and employ others.

        Makama (2011) reported that self employment means to be self, a process in which individuals establishes a business venture and manages it successfully and make profit. Such profit gives wages to the owner and their employees

2.5. Benefits of Self-employment

        Abogoku (2011) recorded that benefits of self employment includes the following:

i.            It encourage economic activities in the society

ii.          It result in self development and progress

iii.        It reduces dependent on government employment and related agencies.

iv.         It makes employment readily available

v.           It reduces societal crimes and ills in the society like prostitution, advance fee friude, reduces illicit drug deals, arms robbery etc.

Keinclan (200) stated that self employment serves the following purpose.

i.            Reduces over dependence on foreign goods and services

ii.          It increases opportunity for job creation and employment.

iii.        It reduces poverty and provide jobs security

iv.         It produces opportunities to train technicians and craft men which are of economic growth.

v.           Tax generated from owners of business venture contributes to the production and supply of social services to the nation.

2.6 Factors Limiting Self Employment of vocational areas includes the following:

i.      Inadequate capital to invest in occupational areas available in home economics education

ii.     Epileptic power supply: most areas of occupational options in home economics education like food and Nutrition requires constant supply of power for preservation purpose. Inadequate supply of electricity results in waste of food products because most food can be preserved under a specified storage temperature

iii.    Lack of business initiative: Most graduates of home        economics lack he technical know-how to invest in vocational areas. This is due to insecurity and fear of failure.

Aisha (2011) recorded that inability of home economics graduates to undertake employment is due to the following:

i.            Political Unrest: the fear of riots and unrest can discorage home economics graduates from embarking upon self employment in acquired skills.

ii.          Poor patronage, negative attitude: the skills acquired may not get needed patronage from the public to encourage needed inters, this may also be attributed to negative attitude of the graduates towards business activities.

iii.        Health Condition : A graduate of home economics may be incapacitated due to sickness or poor health condition upon nay business activities.

Elvis (2009) explains that lack of interest in home economics education by graduates may likely discourage self employment activities in home economics. This explains that instructors should emphasis more on practical than theoretical aspect of the course.