Bachelor of Arts with an Emphasis in Homemaking?
I found this article really fascinating about how Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is offering a degree for ladies only, in Humanities, with a concentration on homemaking. The major would have an emphasis in learning how to sew, proper meal preparation, the value of a child, and the biblical roles of family. Some people seem to be in a bit of an uproar about it, stating that it is insulting to women to have such a major. Personally, I feel that the best situation is for women to learn these domestic skills from their mothers or other Titus 2 women. Sometimes, this is not always possible, and for those ladies who are going to go to college, I feel it is nice that they have an alternative to the regular college majors. I think it is wonderful that a man can study for the ministry, and a woman can learn more about her God-given role as wife, mother, and homemaker. Rather than only having career-driven majors, I am glad that women have a domestic choice. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Blessings!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Posted by Christine at 6:55 PM
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7 Comments:
I don't think there is anything demeaning to women about offering such studies. I would think it should be open to men, also. At our house, both my husband and I share housework and childrearing tasks. It seems like many (future) husbands would find the topics just as useful as their (future) wives.
Wow! I just read that article. No one blinks an eye if a woman studies to be a pastor, but it's an uproar if they want to learn to keep a home. It does seem silly, at first, for there to be a college course in it as they should have learned these things at home. However, more and more young ladies are not being taught by their moms to keep a home because their own moms do not know how. Now there's an opportunity to learn! Praise the Lord!!!!
Hmmm, I have mixed feelings about a class like this. Ultimately I would have to say it is an "improvement" and even an asset for a young lady who is being required to go to college or who hasn't had the opportunity to learn these sort of things at home. On the other hand I think it is really sad that they are needing to go away to college to learn it :)! I think the one-on-one mentoring approach as set out in Titus 2 will always be the way to go if it is available. I just wonder if this may "redeem" college in the eyes of some young ladies who wouldn't have gone if this class weren't being offered and in return for taking this "good" class they will have to put up with all of the negatives of a young lady stepping out from under the covering and protection of her father.
A little something to add:
By making the comment "It's insulting I would say to many young women training in vital ministry roles.", Rev. Benjamin Cole, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas just insulted every stay-at-home wife and mother in his congregation by, in essence, saying they are not engaged in a "vital ministry", which I know we all know is not true. Motherhood is the most "vital" ministry we could ever prepare for!
Shelby,
I agree; I definitely have mixed feelings about this degree. I truly believe that there is not better place for a young maiden to flourish and thrive, than obediently, and joyfully serving in her father's house. This can take on many forms. For example, the girl who was my doula helps in her father's household, helping with cleaning, meal preparation, and homeschooling her siblings. She studies to be a doula and midwife from her home. She is doing a beautiful thing, quite joyfully, unto the Lord.
I agree that its nice to have a choice. Women used to be able to learn some of these thing in college. My mother was a home economics major!
If such a choice of study had been around when I was in school, I would have jumped at the chance to enroll. Sadly, I was taught very little about housekeeping before my marriage. I do have women in my family who would have been wonderful Titus 2 role models, including my grandmother who has been a wife & homemaker for over fifty years, but nobody offered any guidance until I was in over my head and trying to "learn on the job".
I do agree that Titus 2 role models are best for learning such things, but also the value in offering these sorts of courses in a college setting. Let us pray these courses might help women in their callings as wives and mothers!
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