So the replies to this thread got me thinking.

In Sweden we have something called Home Education classes which are part of the core meaning all schools need to have them. You have these classes starting early middle school up until 9th grade. During these you learn a lot of skills that are considered useful, sometimes necessary for independent living like how to cook and bake, use a washing machine, even some personal finance like tips on how to effectively save money and how to manage a bank account. Based on this thread that doesn't really seem to be the case in a lot of other school systems like the US one.

Though I can't say I remember every single detail from these classes I have learned a lot that I've managed to start finding useful as I get older. Since not everyone might have the time or resources to teach their kid how to cook, I figured it could make sense to make it mandatory in a similar way to how P.E is. I can relate to this personally since I know it would've been very difficult for me to learn a lot of this considering I was raised by a single mother who spends most of her time working. On the other hand, this would also make it so schools would need more money to get the equipment and personnel needed for these classes, meaning higher taxes.

So do you think it should be implemented the country you live in? If you do live in a country that have classes like this or similar to it, do you think they're useful or do you think they should be dropped from the school system? I look forward to hearing your take on it.

In this country the "higher-ups" seem focused about "more important things", like implanting again Religion as a mandatory subject in all schools, so I don't know when would they have time to get around something that actually makes sense.

I do think it's a nice thing to have. True, the higher taxes and costs for the schools plays against their favor, but let's be honest: at least nobody will ever doubt that theses classes will be useful today, tomorrow and the day after, unlike many other subjects which we don't even get to touch after school and serve no purpose in our lives, not even being general culture.

If I ever have the chance to suggest something to be added to any school over here, I'll keep this in mind. And not because I suck at all of them, that is out of context.

EX Palen : That is true, it could allow people to develop an interest in cooking too which they might not have known that they have if they never got a chance to try it. Meaning they might want to go into that field later. Even if one isn't that interested in it, these are skills that one can find useful regardless of career path. Most other subjects you don't intend on pursuing don't really serve much purpose other than perhaps giving you some "common knowledge".

Also that's tough. Religion is its own subject here but the curriculum is very much about keeping a non biased approach. Taking a look at all of the major world religions and the concept of it in general and its role in society, not trying to convert you into joining one.

Zlinqx : The thing is that we do have schools totally dedicated to the Christian Religion (Nun Schools, we call them), so I don't see why they would include such subject in any other school that has no religious approach as an entity. Makes no sense.

Also, I don't think we have quite the right mindset in here for these classes. I totally see boys saying that cooking and baking is for girls, and even humiliating the boys who "betray their manliness". After all, they harass people for much less than that, so it could bring more trouble than solutions. Probably if they weren't mandatory then people wouldn't be afraid of what could rain over them, but well, that's not free of problems either.

That actually sounds brilliant! I mean, I only went to Kindergarten (and from then was homeschooled until college), so I learned a lot of valuable lessons in my home about hard work, cleaning, etc. The thing is, I often didn't listen Having it as a school subject changes things. If you have what you're meant to be doing in the home reinforced at school, then it can become more bearable, and even enjoyed more than if this didn't happen. I really think it's a cool idea, that, if executed well, is a win-win.

I live in the United States and we are culturally and ethnically diverse. It would be tough to implement a nation-wide expectation for education because so many different cultures believe in so many different things.

I challenge anyone to force cleaning skills, clothes washing skills, and folding on the males of a strongly Arabic and Muslim population of the city I work in. Their culture has the women doing the housework and the men doing the outside career work. Everyone has a well-defined role and they don't go outside their role because of their traditions.

Public school may be non-secular but they're going to be educating religious people who put different values into skills and abilities. Most of the families where I work don't want their sons learning things like cooking, since those skills are seen as very feminine and a male doing them at school is feminizing the male.

Is it right? Not from my viewpoint but I'm not a part of that group and I can't speak for them.

Sweden is a rather homogenous population with a strong, unified ethnic background. The population shares the same histories and traditions, for the most part, and something that teaches skills to everyone makes sense. The United States is not that. A school in Brooklyn, New York, is completely different compared to a school in Miami, Florida, compared to a school in Dallas, Texas, Bismarck, North Dakota, Seattle, Washington, or San Diego, California. The cultural mix means we can't unify much of anything.

Anyway, due to the 10th Amendment and other laws, public schools and charter schools are organized via state, not Federal government.

We fought a war 150 years ago when the Federal government stepped into states' rights. We're pretty serious about our states' rights over Federal legislation.

Ghostbear1111 : See, the thing is I would agree with you if it weren't for the fact that I live in an area that's largely inhabited by muslims. These classes I had contained mostly people like the ones you described.

Sweden isn't an homogenous country today considering how many people have immigrated here. Now it entirely depends on which part of the country you live in. The city I live in is the 3rd largest in the country and about 50% of the population consists of immigrants many of which are from the middle east. I myself am half arabic. More than half the people I went to these classes with both male and female were muslims that came from muslim families. None of them really seem to mind even if they didn't end up using all these skills it as they considered it a school subject just like any other. For example we had a written test one how to use a washing machine and the cooking was adapted so we didn't have to use certain ingredients disallowed by the religion. 

In fact a lot of them actually seemed to enjoy it to some degree, making their own food. It's not like they're forced to use these skills if they don't want to later in life but they have the opportunity to. The same way someone is forced to take science as a subject even if it's a subject they know they're not going to pursue it's to help them get a better sense. The reason to make it mandatory is because not everyone would have the chance to go to a school where they could learn these skills otherwise and it seems like something everyone should have the opportunity to do regardless of their family situation or financial standing.

In New York, they have a class called home economics, which is basically what you are talking about.
When I went to high school back in the stone age, it was required.
I dunno if its still a required course or if any other states do it, but yea... I dunno what else to say. 

Yes they should be required. If not taught already, you need to know these things more than you need to know Math, Science, whatever. They are things that you will use daily (not how like your math teacher tells you that you need math all your life).

Like Van said, in school we were taught (it was an optional elective) Home Economics, which was basically along the lines of what you described (I live in Ohio). We were taught the basics of cooking, sewing, using a washing machine or washing clothes manually, and how to wash dishes properly (though those last two sections were very brief). There was more, but it was all along those lines.

I definitely think things like this should be taught to kids in school, especially the economics aspect of it you mentioned. As you said, a lot of people don't really have the opportunity to learn these kinds of things growing up for one reason or another, and this could be the only chance they get. The reason I feel so strongly about the economic aspect of it is I don't think a lot of young people in America have a great grasp on what it means to save money, and the benefits of doing so on a well accounted for budget. If I'm not mistaken, the whole reason our economy crashed was people brought properties that were actually more than they could afford, or at least something along those lines (I never looked into it much). I've seen way too many people that I grew up with and went to school with end up in massive amounts of debt already for one reason or another, and if they were taught these kinds of things it may have turned out different for them, and I'm not talking about debt from schooling.

Anyway, a lot more men are also becoming "House Husbands" as time goes on (I realize it's not as common, but the trend is growing overall), so if they had learned a lot of these types of skills in school, they'd be much more prepared for it when they do take on that role in the house.

It never hurts to learn as many skills as possible, so I'm all for teaching kids in school as much as we possibly can.
As for the taxes aspect of it, it depends on the increase, though I generally tend to favor it if it's for education.

I was going to post in this thread yesterday when....well I couldn't anyways. I mean certain subjects are for people. I mean those who don't have one in their country maybe have a reason not too. Not every country will have the same subjects to teach. At most they will, but you know things as palen said girls and boys can say something not nice to each other if a certain subject would head their way. Like how should I put it......the types of subjects that each country has, that not other countries have will not always benefit them. If they would cross over in a way. I mean if someone wants to learn it they either have to go there or find a way on the Internet to do that. The world is indeed a large mass of different people looking to learn things, that wasn't allowed in their country. I hope I answered it rightly since these are my thoughts based on your questions @.@

Scotland already has it as a mandatory subject until their 4th year of High School. It only made me realize how good I am at knitting (or was as I haven't done it in ages). I am guessing I got that from my mum and gran.

When I was in school,it was a mandatory class in junior high. It is good to know a few things,like to hem a sock,bake something,or to care for your clothes. But I think parents should also teach their kids these things. I learned how to use a washer/dryer from my mother,I was the one that did the heavy lifting and I saw her use the machines and I learned to do it for myself.

Nowadays,schools are basically teaching nonsense and omitting essential skills like cursive writing. How is a kid supposed to sign for anything or learn to read it if they are not taught?

I have had Spanish classes instead of these classes where you earn sewing and cooking, and I have fared excellent so far. In fact the Spanish has proved to be much useful - I married a Dominican and half his family only speaks Spanish.

Anyway, even if you were to consider education something that is compulsory, I would NEVER advocate for ANY classes to be compulsory. Instead students (with their parents' collaboration) should be able to choose classes according to their linking. If they believe Home Education is necessary, they will choose it; if not they might go into languages or even arts.