Household Administration Its Place in the Higher Education of Women   By: Various

Household Administration: Its Place in the Higher Education of Women delves into a lesser-explored topic of women's education and its implications in societal progress. This collection of essays, authored by various accomplished writers, brings to light the significance of household administration as a subject of study for women during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The book outlines the prevailing attitude towards women's education at that time and argues for the inclusion of household administration within higher learning. It challenges the traditional notion of education solely focusing on academic and intellectual pursuits, highlighting the crucial role that domestic management plays in shaping societies. By presenting a well-curated selection of essays, the authors succeed in presenting a compelling case for the recognition and formal teaching of household administration among women.

One of the book's strengths lies in its diversity of perspectives. Each essay is authored by a different writer, exposing readers to valuable insights and experiences from various women who have excelled in the field. From household management consultants to educators, the authors offer a comprehensive range of perspectives, discussing the practical aspects of running a household, time management, budgeting, and even the psychological well-being of women within domestic environments.

Furthermore, the book contextualizes the importance of household administration within the broader feminist movement of the time. It highlights how, by expanding the realm of women's education to encompass household administration, women could achieve a more prominent role in society. The contributors firmly believe that the liberation of women should include access to knowledge that empowers them to become proficient and informed household managers, enabling them to become active participants in both public and private spheres.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that Household Administration: Its Place in the Higher Education of Women is a product of its time. The book's publication in the early 1900s reflects the prevailing societal norms and expectations placed upon women. While the authors admirably advocate for the recognition of household administration, they do not challenge the inherent gender roles assigned to women during that period.

Despite this limitation, the book provides valuable historical perspectives on the struggles and aspirations of women seeking comprehensive education. The authors successfully bring attention to the importance of household administration and its potential to make lasting contributions to society. In doing so, they pave the way for future generations to ponder the complexities of women's education, challenging us to question our own assumptions and biases regarding gender roles.

Household Administration: Its Place in the Higher Education of Women is a noteworthy addition to the literature on women's education and feminism. By shedding light on the often-overlooked subject of household administration, the book illuminates the significance of empowering women with knowledge and skills that extend beyond the traditional realm of academia. Although the book represents a specific time and cultural context, it sparks broader discussions on the intersections of gender, education, and social progress.

First Page:

The object of this book is threefold. (1) It endeavours to define the importance and scope of household administration in the twentieth century, which, when analysed into its component parts, is found intimately to concern the right conduct and domestic care of individual human lives, from their inception to their close. (2) It seeks to demonstrate the necessity of an adequate preparation for all who assume the responsibility of such administration; particularly for those who, in consequence of their parental responsibilities, their wealth, their social status, or their professional duties, exercise far reaching influence through their standard of life and example. (3) Finally, it gives prominence to the fact that the domestic arts are no collection of empirical conventions, to be acquired by imitation or exercised by instinct. It is clearly demonstrated that the group of sciences upon which they rest is more comprehensive than most people suspect, and that their contribution to the solution of pressing domestic problems has so far been but partially realised... Continue reading book >>