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Proposal: Home Ec and Shop Class Groups
I’ve thinking about ways to make Ricochet more useful for members, particularly as a break from pure politics. We’re conservatives, not totalitarian Leftists. We have families, hobbies, and careers that are separate from politics. Besides, we have most of the political stuff already covered.
When I joined The Firing Line, I was impressed by how helpful people were and the tips they shared. We have actual firearms instructors and veterans, along with beginners like me and everyone in between. It’s generally focused on firearms, not even on the politics of firearms. It is highly recommended if you have an interest in firearms. That got me thinking – always a dangerous idea.
Ricochet is a conservative site, and we are not afraid to talk stuff women are good and stuff men are good at. There are differences between men and women, especially in their interests. However, sometimes you need to benefit from the expertise of the other sex. Perhaps you live alone, or perhaps you want to surprise your significant other? Perhaps you never learned how to do something around the house?
Thus, my proposal for Shop Class and Home Ec groups – places to ask questions of the handyman or homemaker varieties. (I’m open to suggestions on the names.) I still use skills I learned in shop class and home ec during high school, and I think a place to share advice would be very useful. People with lots of experience get an audience for their lessons, while newbies get advice. We have really talented people here, after all.
Do people think this would be a good idea? Would you join one of these groups?
Published in General
I’d help out on a group for raising children, or housework, or teaching elementary school. I have skills on these categories. I also have skills for staying married a long time.
Home Economics was once a college major. In the fifties and before, I think.
I only took one shop class that I can remember, but I took mechanical drawing every year I could.
If you look at the groups, you might find there are some that would fall into those categories, such as:
http://ricochet.com/groups/you-will-need/
My mom graduated in 1956 from UW Madison with a degree in Home Ec. Her first job was with the Pillsbury test kitchens in Minneapolis.
I could use a Home Ec course. Economical menu planning, best tools of trade, upcyclying/recycling old linens and towels, time management and cleaning frequencies…
Someone, teach me how to manage the home.
@cowgirl there is a parenting and homeschooling group that I’d love to see you in. It’s usually just me asking questions and when school starts up again, I may have more to ask.
I’m interested in a handyman spot. As a girl, no one bothered to teach me that stuff, but I want to do things in my home that I don’t always want to pay someone to do.
Like… putting in a return vent… and what’s the skinny on plumbing valves (which I’ve replaced successfully!).
Just think what the boys miss out on with no father in the household and most of the vocational schools disappeared.
I am surprised there is not a home schooling group. I looked because my granddaughters live in a school district that will probably be doing, at best, part time distance “learning”, which was a disaster during the lockdown.
If or when you start these groups, let us know.
There is one. Bethany started it.
I can’t find it. Do you know the name of it?
Let’s see, Bethany started this one:
http://ricochet.com/groups/parenting/
There is this:
http://ricochet.com/groups/teaching-as-a-craft-and-issues-in-education/
But I don’t see anything else offhand.
I’m terrible at the ec part, but I have zero interest in money matters. I suppose that makes me a baaaaad conservative. /shrugs
My mom was a Home Ec teacher, and she taught me how to cook. I like to cook and think I’m pretty good at it. Mom also taught me to sew, but I am nowhere close to her skill level on that. She even made her own wedding dress! As far as household repairs, I can do a little. I had to learn some basics because my dad was on the road a lot as a traveling salesman, and also just not handy at that kind of stuff.