Domestic Science Gone Too Far Analysis

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1a. She cites the modern American home as evidence that domestic science is crucial. Richards argues that women in the home are responsible for cooking and cleaning, it is to be considered part of their daily tasks. Society expects women to create a comfortable home environment for their husband and children, if they have children if they have them. She writes that “our girls must be taught to recognize the profession of housekeeping as one of the highest”.

1b. Richards argues that the technological advances take away from the profession of housekeeping. She states that these advances help contribute to the laziness of “ignorant mistresses.” The technology not only causes “tempers” and yield to “grief”, but the only “remedy” to these advances are to teach girls the importance of knowing how to cook and other aspects of domestic science.

1c. Richards argues that Americans love food and domestic science grants us the right to have self-sufficiency. She says
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Richards suggested that men should take over housework so that they acknowledge that housework is a “profession”. To men, housework does not seem like an actual job, much more of an activity. Encouraging men to take on women’s task for a while will result in men being more appreciative of their wives. In addition to gratitude, men doing women’s housework could lead to a more joint effort to keep the household together.

3e. Richards states that domestic science is very important because the cook is “responsible for the upbuilding and preservation of the body.” Since people know that food is crucial for a person’s health, the profession of domestic science should be treated as serious as professions such as “the dressmaker” or the “milliner”. Girls, in particular, should value the importance of domestic science because it could change the dynamic of the American family. By depending on a woman to cook, this could make the family closer and save money by eating in the house rather than going out to