CAUSES OF POOR ENROLMENT OF MALE STUDENTS INTO HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of study
Home economics is the education for living. It is the study of all that relate to home and family. It is the area of study that provides the necessary knowledge guiding and assisting human being to be able to attain a more self reliance and fulfilled life. Home economics deals with all aspects of family living, drawing knowledge from many disciplines such as Biology, Physics, Social Science, Humanities and Arts, and unifying the knowledge drawn to teach people how to do the followings: Determine the needs of individuals and families and become responsible and effective members of family and community through effective home making and gainful employment (Anyakoha, 1997). Ugoezie (1990) is of the view that home economics is a skill-oriented subject that can equip an individual with the basic skill and knowledge that will help one to be self-employed and so contribute effectively to the socio-economic development of the family and the society.
Eze (2001) pointed out that Home Economics is capable of preparing youths and adults for entry into various areas Home Economics occupations. This shows that as a vocational subject Home Economics contributes to manpower development by equipping individuals with reliable occupational skills, which lead to self-reliance. Home Economics can also help individuals (male and female) acquire basic skills needed for gainful employment and family living. It could also be known that Home Economics as a field of study does not exclude gender, age or any other classification (Eze, 2001). Home Economics is a very important subject in the University Curriculum. The programme has many career opportunities, for the University graduates. It also prepares individual for happy family life. Both male and female students study the subject at the University. In practice, however, Home Economics is one of the courses which attract the lowest enrolment of male students both at the university and other tertiary institutions. Akuzuilo (1993), Azikiwe (1990) and Olaitan (1986) are of the view that Home Economics education is one of the courses which attract lowest enrolment of male students in secondary and tertiary levels of education.