'n Empiriese ondersoek na huishoudkunde as professie in die RSA

Abstract

AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF HOME ECONOMICS AS A PROFESSION IN THE RSA MOTIVATION Horne Economics can , by virtue of its rn1ss10n, play a key role in the near future in the solving of family and community problems in a fast changing South-Africa. In order to fulfil this role as effectively and efficiently as possible, the career must reflect certain professional qualities. The question arose whether Horne Economics comply with the requirements of a profession as identified in the literature, namely specialised training , career opportunities, job satisfaction , efficient marketing, the professional ren￾dering of service, satisfactory income, efficient administration, strategic management through a control body, pursuit of a professional culture and a dynamic future vision. AIM The aim of the study was to describe and evaluate Horne Economics as a profession in the RSA from the perspective of home economists. METHOD A structured questionnaire was completed by 158 Afrikaans-speaking members of the Horne Economics Association of Southern Africa (HEASA). CONCLUSION The majority of the respondents is young females who earn a low to moderate income. These HEASA-rnernbers are academically well qualified and equipped for research. More than half of the respondents teach Horne Economics on secondary or tertiary level, while only 9 % practise a non-Horne Economics career. The generally negative attitude of home economists towards the availability of job opportunities is concomitant with insufficient knowledge about the marketing of the career. This indicates a weak IV spot in the professional accountrement of the home economist. Nearly all of the respondents agreed , however, that home economists render an excellent service and felt positive about the future prospects of the career. It was clear that the respondents thought that the managing aspects could be improved, and most of the respondents were in favour of a professional control body. In summary, it seems that a career in Home Economics has bright prospects and a dynamic role to play in the multicultural future of the RSA , provided that all members strive to develop it into a true profession through pro-active action.