Home Science is an interdisciplinary field that draws from both science and art courses. It aims to provide maximum satisfaction for family members through the efficient use of resources. Home Science means both the art of managing resources efficiently and the science of achieving a healthy and happy home as well as a successful career. It has five major areas of specialization: food and nutrition, resource management, fabric and apparel science, human development, and communication and extension. Home Science provides opportunities for both wage employment, such as working in a restaurant, and self-employment, such as opening one's own catering business. It prepares students for a wide range of career paths.

1. MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
1HOME SCIENCE
Notes
What is Home Science?
1
WHAT IS HOME SCIENCE?
Asthenamesuggests,HomeScienceisconcernedwiththehome,healthandhappiness
ofallthepeoplelivinginit.Asafieldofspecialization,HomeSciencedrawsitscontent
fromcoursesinbothscienceandart.Thus,representinganinterdisciplinaryfieldthat
preparesyounglearnersforthetwomostimportantgoalsintheirlives–caringfortheir
homeandfamilyaswellaspreparingforacareerorvocationinlife.Hence,itsscope
extends to activities associated with setting home based enterprises as well as
consultancies.
Today,menandwomensharetheresponsibilityofahomeandfamilyequally.Theyneed
anequalamountofpreparationinmakingthebestuseoftheresourcesavailabletomake
theirlivescomfortable.Inthislesson,youwilldiscoverthescopeofthescienceandart
behindHomeScienceandthedifferentprofessionalavenuesavailabletoyouafter
specializinginthisfield.
OBJECTIVES
Afterreadingthislesson,youwillbeableto:
• explainthemeaningandimportanceofHomeScience;
• establishtherelevanceofHomeSciencetomenandwomen;
• presentsomefactsaboutHomeScienceasadisciplineandprofession,and
• identifyvariousacademicandvocationalopportunitiesavailabletoyouafter
studyingHomeScience.
1.1 MEANING OF HOME SCIENCE
HomeScienceorthescienceofmanagingahome,includesallthethingsthatconcern
ourselves,ourhome,ourfamilymembersandourresources.Itaimsatgettingmaximum
satisfactionforusandourfamilymembersthroughtheefficientandscientificuseofyour
resources.HomeSciencemeanstheartofmanagingyourresourcesefficientlyand
the science of achieving a healthy and happy home as well as successful career.

2. HOME SCIENCE
MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
2
Notes
What is Home Science?
Youmusthavenoticedthewords‘art’and‘science’beingusedtogetherinthedefinition
givenabove.ThisisbecauseHomeScienceteachesyoutheartofusingthingssothat
aharmoniouswholeisachievedandanoverallpleasanteffectiscreated.Atthesame
time,itgivesyouallthescientificknowledgeoftheproceduresinvolvedinmakinga
home aesthetic. Let us take an example- Home Science will teach you about the
differentnutrientsrequiredbythebodyandthedifferentfunctionstheyperform.This
isthe‘science’.Whenyouareabletoselectvariousdisheshavingthosenecessary
nutrientsandservethemattractivelytoyourfamilyandmotivatethemtoeattheright
foods,itisan‘art’.
Developingtheabilitytocommunicateeffectivelywithallthefamilymembersincluding
children and elderly, is an important skill and art that we all have to inculcate for
harmoniousinterpersonalrelationshipandahappyandpeacefullife.Thisessentialskill
isalsolearntbystudyingHomeScience.
HomeSciencedrawsanimportantpartofitscontentfrompuresciencedisciplinessuch
asphysics,chemistry,biology,physiologyandhygiene.Italsodrawsitscontentequally
fromeconomics,sociology,anthropology,psychology,communitydevelopment,
communication,mediaandtechnology.Thus,makingitaninterdisciplinaryfieldwhich
drawsfromthestrengthsofscienceandartscourses.
ThiscombinationofscienceandartholdstrueinalltheareasofHomeScience.Some
oftheseareasfollows:
• theinterpersonalcommunicationamongstfamilymembers;
• thefamilythatyoucarefor;
• thefoodthatyoueat;
• thehousethatyoulivein;
• theclothesthatyouwear;
• theresourcesthatyouuse;
• theenvironmentaroundyouand
• theskillsandenvironmentthatcanleadtosuccessfulcareer.
ACTIVITY 1.1
Statetheartandscienceinfollowingactivitiesyouperformathome.Thefirsttwohave
beendoneforyou:
Activity Art Science
to have a bath feelfreshandclean • dirtandgermsare
removedfromyourbody
• poresonskingetopen

3. MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
3HOME SCIENCE
Notes
What is Home Science?
preparebreakfast serve attractively • selectrightfood
• useofcorrectmethodof
cookingtopreserve
nutrients
• enhancenutritivevalueof
food.
washclothes
cleanthehouse
makegrocerypurchases
usehouseholdappliances
caringforchildren
1.2 RELEVANCE OF HOME SCIENCE
Traditionally Indian society had clearly demarcated areas of work for both men
and women. However, with the changing social and economic environment,
managing a home requires the efforts of all the family members. Today, more
and more women are working- whether they go to an office or work from home.
Therefore, gender based stereotype roles do not hold relevance any longer.
Today, you can learn to manage your own resources better by studying various
areas of Home Science. If you face any problem, Home Science gives you the
right tools to solve. In doing so, you become more organized and efficient.
Home science opens up a large arena of possible job opportunities for both men
and women. This knowledge helps in the improvement of not only your home
and personal life but also your professional life.

4. HOME SCIENCE
MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
4
Notes
What is Home Science?
Home Science is for both Boys and Girls
o Both have to succeed in an increasingly competitive world
o Both have to share household responsibilities and tasks
o Both need to manage resources
o In case of a problem they have to solve it together with other family members.
o HomeScienceoffersvariedvocationalandprofessionalavenuesforbothboysand
girls
o Joint knowledge and skills help to improve the standard of living.
Youandyourfamilymemberscanachievepersonalsatisfactionandusetheskillsgained
throughHomeSciencetoimproveyourfamily’seconomicconditionaswell.Asin
HomeScienceyouwilllearnseveralskillsthatcanenableyoutosetuphomebased
enterprisesorconsultancieslikeaboutique,cateringunit,crèche,daycarecentre,etc.
Youwilllearnmoreaboutthisaspectlaterinthischapter.
ACTIVITY 1.2
Doyouagreewiththefollowingstatements?Givereasonsforyouropinion?
Situations Agree/Disagree Reasons
Onlyamothercanlookafter Disagree Anyonewithacaringattitude
asickchild canlookafterasickchild.
Genderdoesnotplayany
role.Maledoctorstake
equallygoodcareof
patientsasfemaledoctorsdo.
Purchasingofelectronic
appliancesitemsshouldbe
preferablydonebymen
Washing,ironing,foldingand
keepingawaytheweekly
laundryisbesthandledby
women
Moneyisbestmanagedby
men

5. MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
5HOME SCIENCE
Notes
What is Home Science?
Discussyouropinionwithyourfriends.Findouttheiropinionalso.Decidewhoneeds
tochangehis/heropinionandwhy.
1.3. HOME SCIENCE- A DISCIPLINE AND PROFESSION
• HomeSciencecoversafewareasofspecializationsuchasFoodandnutrition,
CommunicationandExtension,ResourceManagement,HumanDevelopment,
Fabricandapparelscience.Welearnanddevelopgoodinterpersonalrelationships
withinandoutsidethefamily.Wealsolearntomanageourresourcesliketime,
energy and money so that we get maximum satisfaction. Home science also
involveslearningtheskillsintendingallthisusefultoourfamilyorcommunity,
especiallytheunderprivilegedforbetterlife.
• Wevalueourtraditionalknowledge,experiencesofferedtousbyourparentsand
grandparents.Weshouldcontinueandvaluethis.Thenewadvanceinscienceand
technologyandmanagementequipusbetteranddealwiththechangingsocialand
economicenvironmentandmeetthechallengesofthe21st
centaury.
• Homesciencesyllabusdrawsitsstrengthfrombothscienceandartsdiscipline.
Thisenablesthestudenttodeveloptheabilityandunderstandtheconceptaswell
asapplytheminvariouscontentssituation. Thisgiveshomesciencestudentsan
edgeaboveallotherdisciplines.Thispreparesthemforvastrangeofopportunities
unlikeotherdiscipline.
1.4 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION IN HOME SCIENCE
By nowyoumusthaveunderstoodthatHomeScienceisanimportantareaofstudy.
Letusnowfindoutindetailthespecificareasthatyouhavetostudyinthissubject.
TherearefivemajorcomponentsorareasofspecializationinHomeScience:
HOMESCIENCE
Food and Resource Fabric and Human Communication
Nutrition Management Apparel Science Development andExtension
Today,HomeScienceissoadvancedthateachspecializationisadomaininitsownwith
itsareasofspecializationandvocation/professionalopportunities.Someoftheareasof
furtherspecializationareasfollows:
MainBranch Area of further specialization
FoodandNutrition • FoodScience
• Nutrition-ClinicalNutritionandCommunityNutrition
• Institutionalfoodservice

6. HOME SCIENCE
MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
6
Notes
What is Home Science?
FabricandApparel • ClothingConstruction
Science • TextileScience
• TextileDesigning
• GarmentDesigning
• CareandMaintenanceofClothes
ResourceManagement • ResourceManagement
• HousingandEquipment
• InteriorDecoration
• ConsumerEducation
HumanDevelopment • Child-Welfare
• Adolescence,MarriageandFamilyGuidance
• CareoftheElderly
• Careofspecialchildren
Communicationand • Mediaforcommunication
Extension • Programmeplanningandevaluation
• Trainingandcapacitybuilding
• Managementofcommunityserviceorganisations
Theseoptionsmaybeonlyathigherlevelofstudiesandnotatschoollevel.Thereare
manyHomeSciencecollegesinIndiawhereyoucanstudythesecourses.Thereare
variousvocationalcoursesbasedonHomeSciencedisciplinelikecreativeembroidery
andtailoring,earlychildhoodetc.YoumayvisittheNIOSwebsitewww.nos.orgfor
moreinformationaboutthis.Thecoursesareavailableatgraduateandpostgraduate
level.Youcanconductdoctoralandpostdoctoralresearchandcontributetoadding
newcontenttoHomeScience.Thesecoursesareofferedasregularprogrammesin
collegesaswellthroughdistanceeducationmadethroughIGNOU.
ACTIVITY 1.3
StudytheHomeSciencesyllabusgivenattheendofthisBook.Findouttheareasthat
interest you. Make a list of three vocations that are available in that area of Home
Science.
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7. MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
7HOME SCIENCE
Notes
What is Home Science?
INTEXT QUESTIONS 1.1
1. Selectthecorrectalternativefromthosegivenbelow.
(i) HomeSciencemeans_________________.
a) learningtobuildinterpersonalcommunication
b) theartofmanagingyourresources
c) developingaskilltostartanenterprise
d) alltheabove
(ii) WhichofthefollowingisnotaspecializationareainHomeScience?
a) FoodScience
b) GarmentDesigning
c) Nursing
d) InteriorDecoration
2. ReadSection1.1andlistanyfourwaysbywhichHomeSciencecanhelpyou.
1 ..............................................................................................................
2 ..............................................................................................................
3 ..............................................................................................................
4 ..............................................................................................................
5 ..............................................................................................................
1.5 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN HOME SCIENCE
BeforeyoustudythedifferentopportunitiesavailableinthesubjectofHomeScience,
you must understand the concepts of wage employment and self-employment.To
understandtheseconcepts,letustakeanexample-atailorwhosetsupatailoringshop
isself-employedwhereashe/sheissaidtobeinwageemploymentwhenhe/sheworks
inagarmentfactoryandgetsasalaryorwage.Wageemploymentmeansthatyou
work for another person and receive wages or salary for your services.
Self-employmentmeansthatyouaretheownerofanenterprisewhichyourunand
finance.
YouhavealreadyreadthatspecializinginHomeSciencemaychoosetoworkinsalaried
jobs or as self-employed entrepreneurs or as consultants using any of the
skillsthattheymayhavedeveloped.
Table1.1liststheseknowledge,skillsandopportunities.

8. HOME SCIENCE
MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
8
Notes
What is Home Science?
Table 1.1 Job opportunities in Home Science
Knowledge/ Skills Wage Employment Self-Employment
Opportunity Opportunity
Catering • Staff in canteen, restaurant • Owner of a canteen,
• Cook; coffee/tea shop, etc. restaurant, coffee/tea
• Service Staff shop etc.
• Food Service from
home
• Conductinghobby
classes
Food preservation / • Production • Owner of a production
Bakery and • Training of Service Staff unit
Confectionery • In-charge of a community • Home based production
centre services
• Conductinghobbyclasses
• TrainingNGOfunctioning
asalivelihoodpromotion
initiative
Interior Decoration Work for an organisation Self employed as
• Interior Designer • Interior Designer
• Furniture Designer • Furniture Designer
• Staff at show rooms • Staff at show rooms
• Conducting hobby courses/ • Conductinghobbycourses/
classes classes
• Show case and window • Show case and window
displaydesign displaydesign
Arts and Crafts • Staff at government • Running own shop/
emporiums/showrooms/ enterprise
antique shops
• Designer for arts and • Home-based craft
crafts items centre
• Staff at production units • Conductinghobby
courses/classes
House Keeping and • Staff at hotels and guest • Running a guest house
Laundry Services houses • Homebasedpayingguests
• Facilitiesmanager service
• Contract services

9. MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
9HOME SCIENCE
Notes
What is Home Science?
Dress Designing, • Staff in a Production • Owner of a shop or
GarmentConstruction; unit/exporthouse boutique
TextileDesigning • Staff at textile designing • Home based services
unit • Conductinghobbyclasses
• Staff at boutique
Teaching • Staff at crèche, play • Owner of a crèche, play
school, day care centre school etc.
• Teaching in a school/ • Day-care or after care in
college school for young children
• Teachinginpolytechnics • Conductingtuitionsat
home
• Conduting short term in
areas of Home Sci. courses
Communication • Staff in development • Counsellors
andExtension organisation • Establishingdevelopment
• Counsellors organisation
• Researchers • Market research
• Social Entrepreneurs agencies.
• Trainers and facilitators • Media production and
• Staff in Public Relations management.
and Human relations • Communicationand
department developmentconsultant
• Offering short-term
courses- content
development,theatre,
puppetry etc.
Resource Managers • Staff in retail outlets • Event managers
and Consumer • Staff in event management • Small savings agent
Education firms
Having readTable1.1youwillagreethatbesidesprovidingeducationforyouroverall
development,HomeSciencepreparesyoutotakeupajoboutsidethehomeaswell
assetupahomeenterprise.Forexample,asaHomeSciencetrainedperson,youcan
joinagarmentexporthouseasawageemployeebutifyouarenotabletoleavethe
house,youcansetupatailoringboutiqueathome.Youwillalsoagreethatyoucanbe
engagedinbothwageandself-employmentinallareasofHomeScience.
Youmustrememberthattobesuccessfulyouneedtohavethoroughknowledgeofthe
subject,somepracticeandexperience.TheschoollevelcourseinHomeSciencegives
youonlybasicknowledgeinthesubject.Inordertogetreadyforajob,youneedto

10. HOME SCIENCE
MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
10
Notes
What is Home Science?
dospecificadvancedcoursesofferedbyanumberofinstitutes.TheNationalInstitute
ofOpenSchoolingalsooffersanumberofvocationalcoursesintheareaofHome
Science.You can consult the counsellor at your PCPor visit the NIOS website for
furtherinformation.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 1.2
1. Giveanyfourexamplesofhome-basedself-employmentopportunitiesinthearea
ofHomeScience.
(i) _______________________________________________________
(ii) _______________________________________________________
(iii) _______________________________________________________
(iv) _______________________________________________________
2. Listanyonewage-employmentopportunityinthefivespecialisationareasof
HomeScience
Specialisation Employment Opportunity
(i) FoodandNutrition
(ii) ResourcemanagementandDesigning
(iii) ClothingandTextiles
(iv) HumanDevelopment
(v) CommunicationandExtension
3. Classifythefollowingeitheraswage-employment(WE)orasself-employment
(SE).Tickmarktheoptionyouchoose.
WE SE
i. Pre-schoolteacher
ii. Ownerofahomeaccessoriesshowroom
iii. Productionunitstaff
iv. Consultancyserviceprovider
v. ResearchAssistants
vi. Conductinghobbyclasses
vii. Ownerofaboutique
viii. GuestHousemanager
ix. Schoolteacher
x. DevelopmentConsultant

11. MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
11HOME SCIENCE
Notes
What is Home Science?
WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT
HOMESCIENCE
hasfivebasiccomponentareas
Food and Resource Textilesand Human Communication
Nutrition Management Clothing Development andEducation
AcademicCoursesatGraduateandPostGraduatelevel
Research
canleadtoselfandwage-employment
TERMINAL EXERCISES
1. Discussin10linestherelevanceofHomeScienceinyourday-to-daylife.
2. WhatarethevariouscomponentsorareasofHomeScience?Listareasoffurther
specialisationinanyoneoftheseareas?
3. Listthevariousopportunitiesforpeopleinwage-employmentandself-employment
capacityinanyoneareaofHomeScience.
4. SatewhetherthefollowingstatementsregardingHomeSciencearecorrector
incorrect.Givereasonsforyouranswerifmarkedasincorrect.WriteTfortrue
andFforincorrect.
(i) Study of Home Science does not lead to a career.
(ii) HomeScienceequipsbothgirlsandboystoperformtheirdualroleashome
makersandasprofessionals.
• teacheseverythingconcerningthe
home
• isusefulforbothmenandwomen
• needstobestudiedformally

12. HOME SCIENCE
MODULE - 1
Home Science in Daily Life
12
Notes
What is Home Science?
ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS
1.1 1. (i) d (ii) c
2. (i) resourcesefficiently(ii) beautiful,wellmanaged(iii)successfulcareer
1.2 2.
(i) Catering, Home based production services
(ii) InteriordecorationandFurnitureDesigner
(iii)Dress/Textiledesigning,Ownerofashoporboutique
(iv) Social welfare, Day-care or school after care for young children
(v) Researcher, Organisation communication consultant
3. Wage-employment Self-employment
i,iii,v,viii,ix ii,iv,vi,vii,x