Originally Posted by FroggyinTexas

They do still teach home economics, but they call it all sorts of other things. And there are lots of boys in it, just as there are some girls in Voc Ag classes. It all depends on whether your school district is considered to be in an urban or rural area.

One of the big mistakes the politicians who are using education as a football made years ago was to curtail vocational educational courses in the mistaken belief that everyone should go to college. If everyone gets a college degree, they will be about as valuable as a high school diploma is now and you will have to have one to work at a car wash.

While I'm on my soap box, lots of people who are craftsmen--plumbers, electricians, computer repair people, etc.--command as much or more money in the market place than people with degrees. Probably the largest group of people in the country who have both bachelor's and master's degrees are teachers and they are not exactly getting rich on what they get paid.

If your child wants to become a diesel mechanic or go in auto body repair, think about encouraging him or her. froggyintexas

Originally Posted by annesthreads

My mother tried to teach me, school tried to teach me (when the teacher wasn't holding up my efforts for the class to laugh at). I had to make an apron for the cookery class, then a dress. Total disaster, lots of tears and I had nothing more to do with sewing for the next 40 years or so. Mum had bought me a sewing box for my 7th birthday - I still have it and until recently I swear some of the original contents were still in it! The change came at the grand old age of 49 when a dear friend challenged my "I'm useless at sewing" and very patiently helped me overcome my fear (for fear it was by then) and inhibitions and taught me how to quilt. Every time I finish one, I'm still astonished that I've produced it!

Originally Posted by jojo47

Your teacher was an example - imo - of someone who should not have been in teaching. If she had quietly taken the time to explain to you and show you what you needed to do would have been different...but to hold a project up for the class to laugh at...NO! Thank goodness for your friend and her patience! Not only is she your friend, but a teacher with a capital 'T'!

Originally Posted by annesthreads

Absolutely. I have to hope that 1950s teaching methods are firmly in the past. I had the same done to me, believe it or not, with art and singing as well, with the result that for the next 40 years I labelled myself totally uncreative, and am still breaking down all the blocks that were put up. I'm deeply grateful to the friend who had the patience and wisdom to guide my first nervous efforts at quilting - she opened many doors for me.