Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of middle school students about Home Economics course especially in the area of Food and Nutrition. For this purpose anempirical survey was conducted using structured questionnaire from 482 students in the 2nd grade of middle school. The questionnaire contained questions about the general concept of home Economics course and general concept and the degree of the perceived need of Food and Nutrition part of the course. The data of analysis are frqequency percentile mean standard-deviation chi-square one-way ANOVA t-test and Scheff-test. The major findings of this study are as follows. The major findings of this study are as follows. First students show a tendency to perceive Home Economics education is $\ulcorner$related with ethics of human life for both sexes$\lrcorner$which is stronger in girls than in boys. Boys had a tendency to perceive that Home economics is related with $\ulcorner$home making skills in food clothing housings etc.$\lrcorner$or $\ulcorner$for girls and women only $\lrcorner$which is weaker in girls. Second students also show a tendency to perceive Home Economics is important and to agree that Home Economics must be taught to both sexes. This tendency is stronger in girls than in boys, Third students show a tendency to perceive that food and Nutrition part is related with $\ulcorner$meeting problems in food choices and nutrition$\lrcorner$which is stronger in girls than in boys. Fourth girls are more interested in Food and Nutrition part than the other parts and likely to practice what they learned in Food and Nutrition part of their 1st grade and became to pay attention to their eating patterns. These tendencies are weaker in boys.

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