Browsing by Subject "ympäristövaikutukset"

Aims. The good life opportunities are tried to be secured by the sustainable development. Food production and consumption are essential elements in ecological development, which is one section of the sustainable development. Because the environmental impacts vary with different foodstuffs, a major influence can be reached by proper choice of consumer and eating habits. Good education in home economics can greatly influence the eating habits of children and youth. Teaching in home economics is bound by the curriculum, but in the end what is emphasised is chosen by the teacher. The aim of this study amongst teachers in home economics was to establish their level of understanding of the impact food has on the environment and how it has come true in the teaching. Methods. The study was carried out in a qualitative method. A thematic interview method was used in collecting data. Eight home economics teachers, who worked in secondary schools in Helsinki took part in individual interviews in January 2016. The interviews were recorded and the data was transcribed. A phenomenography method was applied in the analysis of the data and answers to the research questions were screened. Findings were interpreted and compared with the theoretical background. Results and discussion. Home economics teachers do not see the impact that food may have on the environment as an important issue in home economics. The teachers thought that teaching nutrition, cooking, and personal skills were of primary importance. Their ability to teach about the environmental impact of food varied. Most of the teachers felt being in need of better information on the topic. According to the teachers the theme was hardly discussed in their own education in home economics. Environmental impacts were hardly discussed in teaching. The role of food on the environment was according to the teachers noted mainly when discussing sorting of household waste. The topic was to some extent discussed only when the issue was questioned by students. The environmental aspect was hardly mentioned in the available textbooks. The teachers tend to give more emphasis in their teaching in economic and social development than in ecological sustainability. The environmental impact of food itself would be an important topic both for home economics teachers' education and updated training in home economics.