Browsing by discipline "Home economics"

The main purpose of this study was to find out what kind of means the home economic teachers use to ease pupils who need support in the learning process. The goal of this study was learn how information of the support needed was transferred to teacher and to learn what kind of additional resources are available. In addition, this study focuses on teachers' reactions to integrate the pupils in a normal teaching situation. Also this study focuses on tools that teacher education offers to meet pupils needing special support. The data for the qualitative study were collected during the spring 2014 in two separate stages: by collecting critical incidents and semi-structured interviews. The data were collected by discretionary sampling. Ten home economics teachers working in Pirkanmaa and Uudenmaa region took part in this study. The data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. According to the main outcome, pupils are heterogeneous groups and the need for support varies from minor to major. The main problems areas for pupils according to teachers are learning and behavioral problems. Also social and psychological problems have increased. The information of support needed among new students was transferred from class teacher to home economics teacher but in some cases the need for support was noticed during classes. Teachers have several means to support pupils' learning. For example, the teachers used demonstrative means, graphic guidance and they split working stages into smaller details. Sometimes it was also possible to get a supportive person into the classroom. The teachers used more time and effort to evaluate the pupils in need of assistance and assigned more practical tasks for them. The communication between teacher and parent is very important according to the interviewees. The idea of integration of the pupils needing support into the normal teaching program is good, but to bring this into practice is challenging. According to the teachers their education did not give them the tools needed in teaching special pupils. Many teachers would like to have more practical guidance to support their teaching methods. Hopefully the findings of this study will raise discussion and help the newly graduated home economics teachers to meet special pupils at their work in the future.

Following a gluten-free diet is continually more common. Previous research has shown that following a gluten-free diet significantly affects the everyday life and quality of life of an individual. The aim of the research was to find out how following a gluten-free diet affects the everyday control and quality of life of an individual. The aim was also to find out how motivational aspects are linked to the following of the diet. The research results were to be viewed from the point of view of self-determination theory and theory of planned behaviour. The research aims to collect information that will help to understand the factors that affect the everyday life control and quality of life of those following the gluten-free diet. The research was carried out as a quantitative cross-sectional study. The data collected through Helsinki university E-form was comprised of answers to 55 questions. The questionnaire was completed by 356 persons. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS -statistics 23 and AMOS Graphics 24. The data were analysed using independent samples t-test, 2 independents samples tests, Kruskal–Wallis test, One-Way ANOVA, Jonckheere–Terpstra test, Principal components' analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients were also calculated. The gluten free diet affected the every day functions and social situations in many ways. Those with coeliac disease found following the diet easier than those with other dietary restrictions. The easiness of following the diet lessened avoidant behaviour, stress during lunch and the occurrence of negative feelings. The feeling of adequate support from social environment affected positively the quality of life and everyday life control of the subjects, and the feeling of adequate support from the inner circle was connected with precise following of the diet. Motivational factors were connected to several coping strategies and factors affecting the quality of life. Precise following of the diet didn't necessarily ensue the knowledge of the significance of the diet. This intention-behaviour gap reflected the subjects' lack of motivation.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to find out how the gender equality actualizes in home economics classroom and in the teaching which happens in there. The approach of the study was to consider the gender in diverse ways, not only as dichotomic to men and women. The objective of this study is to provide information and knowledge to home economics teachers on the work field and in the studies. The public debate about gender equality has been lively in Finland for the past decade. In comprehensive school it became mandatory for every school to provide their own equality-program from the beginning of the year 2017. Methods. The data was collected in one upper primary school in the capital area during the beginning of the year 2018. The method to collect the data was observation. The researcher participated physically the observed lessons, and made notes along them. No technical recording equipments were used. To focus the observations the researcher made observation tables to form different part of the lessons. The collected data was analyzed by using the narrative analyzing method. Results and conclusions. For the most part, it was observed that the participants were treated equally. The teacher’s and the pupils’ behavior was seen equal to each other. The classroom and the environment in there was perceived also equal. Although the teaching and learning in the home economics classroom was seen from the results to promote equality, it could also be observed that at times the impact of certain societal norms affected behaviour in the classroom . When the students were divided into groups or pairs, most of the time the groups formed consisted of people of the same gender.

Objectives Insect food has been marketed as an ecological and ethical alternative to meat with vegetarians as the main target group. Recent studies have shown that several factors affect how people approach the use of insects for human nutrition. Consumers who value ecological, natural and taste aspects in food tend to be more open-minded towards edible in-sects. In this study, I aimed to examine the motives behind food choices and analyse the opinions of vegetarians and vegans towards insect-based nutrition and how their attitudes differ from those of omnivores. The effects of being knowledgeable about insect food was al-so considered. The target group of this study was ecologically and ethically conscious individuals. Methods. The data was collected by structured questionnaire which was shared via social media and University of Helsinki student organisations’ e-mail lists. The sample of this study consisted of 355 consumers’ answers of which 296 were women, 35 men, 13 other gender and 11 who preferred not to answer. Most of the respondents were undergraduate students and highly educated. The data was analyzed by using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 -software. Quantitative data analyses were carried out using crosstabs, explorative factor analysis and Kruskal-Wallis -test. Results and conclusions. The results of this study indicated that the most important motives behind food choices in all diet groups were environmental effects and necessity of meat consumption, food hedonism and sustainable values. Majority of respondents had critical attitudes toward meat consumption. Omnivores’ attitudes towards insect food tended to be more positive while vegans’ opinions on the topic were in general negative. Vegetarians opinions didn’t align with either of the extremes but were slightly closer to those of omnivores. The results also showed that respondents with good or moderate knowledge about insect food had more positive attitudes towards it than those with poor knowledge. The majority of respondents followed discussion on edible insects but only less than half were interested in consuming insect food. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that insect food was primarily intriguing to omnivores and vegetarians. Those interested on the topic hoped that insect food was introduced to consumers via various courses. They would prefer to try edible insects in restaurants and cafeterias rather than eat them at home.

Aims: The recent conversations about disappearing family meals, mental problems of the youngsters and family meals' protective effect on youngsters problems have been the base of this study. The main aim of this study is to find out, what kind of position family meals do have in the youngsters' lives. Study questions are: 1. What kind of conceptions youngsters have of family meals? 2. What kind of hands-on experience youngsters have about family meals? 3. How youngsters feel family meals on a emotional level? a. Are meals positive moments with the family or do they just limit timetables? b. Do the youngsters need family meals if they do not have those in their families? Why? Why not? Methods: The data was collected using stimulated recall -interviews and basic themed interviews. The data was collected from thirteen 8th graders from Pirkanmaa and Kanta-Häme. The interviews were analyzed with the qualitative content analysis. Results and conclusions: The youngsters' concepts of the meals and the family meals were quite traditional, assuming that those are warm, varied and eaten with company. The situation of the family meals was good and those were eaten nearly every day in the most of the families. The youngsters thought that the family meals were important social moments with the family and they were able to talk about important things with the family during the meals. They also felt that the daily eating rhythm was good and they did not felt that the meals would have been somehow restrictive. Even so that the pupils felt the family meals were important, the pupil whose family did not eat family meals did not long those meals. He felt that he was able to share his thoughts and experiences also in other ways. It is important that youngsters have this channel of communication.

Aims: The older the youngsters are, the more important role hobbies and leisure time activities have in their life. That is why various activities organized by the non-profit organizations have an important role concerning the development of food habits of youngsters. This study has three main themes. The themes and their respective study questions are: 1. The youngsters' conceptions on healthy eating and food choice: What kind of food do youngsters consider as healthy? How do they see their own eating habits from this point of view? 2. The youngsters and the significance of everyday food-related information: How do the youngsters perceive the role of different actors and these actors' role regarding their own food habits and food choice? 3. The possibilities of the organizations that work with youngsters to improve their food habits: What kind of role do the non-profit organizations have on the youngsters' food habits and healthy food choice? Methods: This study comprises of two types of data. First, a quantitative internet-based survey (N=582) was used to collect data on the 9th graders conceptions and understandings. The data was analyzed with the SPSS-program. Means, cross-tabulations, Pearson's correlations and t-test were calculated from the data. The qualitative data was collected using interviews. The respondents were 12 experts from non-profit organizations. The interviews were analyzed with the qualitative content analysis. Results and conclusions: The non-profit organizations studied have good possibilities to communicate with youngsters through their hobbies. As part of their activities these organizations are able to influence on health-promoting lifestyle and food habits of youngsters. In order to reach more youngsters, these organizations should actively act e.g. in virtual societies of youngsters. Youngsters will participate when activities are voluntary and exhilarating. From the point of food habits doing, learning and identifying are the most important factors to engage the young. Also the models of peers and adults are important. Non-profit organizations should offer youngsters activities but these organizations should also influence on society.

Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the building of the everyday life of the young peoples in the age of 16–17 years studying in vocational collages and to gain understanding in challenges of everyday life present society. In addition the aim was to gain description on the base of young peoples describing everyday life of those factors which promote proceeding of studies or appear as a threat to proceeding of the studies. Today every fourth young people interrupted the vocational studies. As many as 110 000 young people under the age of 30 years is lacking vocational education which is worrying when it is known that the lack of education is one of the factors that increase of the risk exclusion. In this research the building of everyday life is reviewed as a sequence structure (Korvela, 2003). The sequence structure gives possibilities to study different phases an actions of the day of which the weekday is built by. It has been found that the familiar routines and recurrence of everyday life brings safety and anticipation and promoting the attachment in the rhythm of traditional society. Methods. The research data was gathered with the photo elicitation interviews from eleven young people under age of 16-17 studying at vocational collages at the capitol region. The data was analyzed by qualitative methods. The building of the everyday life of young people was reviewed first as theoretically as sequence structure and after that an analysis of content was made. The features of discourse analysis were also used in analyzing the being together phenomenon. The gathering review of the data was conducted by holistic thinking and the understanding of the diversity of everyday life. Results and discussion. In this research it was observed that the everyday life was relatively regular for the majority of the young people. It was observed that the everyday life was irregular for part of the young people, which was revealed as being late from lessons or going late to sleep. The obvious consequence of this was the tiredness during daytime. The days within the studying week consisted of five to six sequences. The sequence of media-time at evening was shown in the research. The problems in trying to delimit the media time was shown among the young people having irregular everyday rhythm. The lack of friends and problems of rhythming the activities of free time was shown in part of the young people. On the basis of the results it is clear that especially the young people living in period of transition need support in time management. The sequence method developed by sequence structure could be used as a tool in promoting the studies and in supporting the everyday life of young people.

Christmas is celebrated as the biggest calendar festival in Finland. With its permanent traditions it is in contrast to the quickly changing society. The Christmas meal is one of the most important symbols of Christmas and the idea of it is based on experiences of past Christmases and the food that has been eaten. The purpose of this study is to find out the position and meaning of Christmas and especially the Christmas meal as part of Finnish identity and tradition. The aim of this study is to understand the reasons that lead to the repetition of the same Christmas traditions every year and the reasons that make the traditions change. From the point of view of household and society, the theme is of interest given that stability and traditions are often in contradiction with the values of modern society which values dynamism and quick change. For this study twelve people were interviewed. (Six over 85-year old and six 18-20-year.) The idea of interviewing representatives of two generations was to get perspective to the social change and on the other hand the stability and meaning of traditions. The interviews were carried out in Helsinki, Naantali and Turku. The recorded material was transcribed and analyzed in two stages. First, material relevant to the research questions was derived from interviews. Second, interviews were coded and categorized using the theoretical frame of reference of the study. The study shows that celebrating Christmas is a way to express ones own individual and national identity. The rituals and symbols of Christmas are mainly learned in childhood and are repeated in current Christmases. Christmas and the Christmas meal is seen as a part of ones community's heritage and as a part of being accepted as a member of the community. The differences in the understanding of the significance of the Christmas meal between two generations were small. The elderly were a little bit more against change in it than the younger interviewees, who saw change as a realistic and positive development. Nevertheless, the young were insecure about making big changes in their Christmas meals, especially if it meant leaving something out from it. Based on the results of this study, Christmas meal traditions are one way for a person to experience continuity and the feeling of security that comes with it.

The main purpose of the study is to describe the social context of meal times and food-related routines in the Moomin books. Previous research has looked at what the Moomins are eating, but there are no studies about other dimensions of their eating. The research data was collected from eight Moomin books. One of them was a collection of short stories and the other seven were novels. The data includes all descriptions of meal times found in the books as well as scenes where food was discussed. In order to be included in the data, the scene had to include some member of the central Moomin family: Moominmamma, Moominpappa or Moomintroll. The nature of the study was qualitative and the data was analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. Family meals were the most frequently occurring meal type found in the data. During these meals, all of the central Moomin family along with their closest friends came together at the Moomin house to enjoy the company of family and friends and to discuss the news of the day. Another common meal format was having a packed lunch to bring to one of the Moomins' trips. Participating in these trips were usually all of the Moomin family along with friends or only Moomintroll with his friends. Generally, Moominmamma prepared all the meals. The results showed that the Moomin family had routines related to food and meal times. Moominmamma was normally the one responsible for the routines. When these routines were broken, the Moomin family fell into confusion. Fortunately, this did not occur often. The study showed that the family meals and regular routines had a positive influence on the well-being of the Moomin family.

Aims. Generous supply of food has made it difficult to perform everyday food choices. There are heterogeneous food trends which may define what to eat and how the public discussion about food and nutrition is comprised. Media, parents and peers are major influences on adolescents' food choices. The taste and the familiarity of food are emphasized over healthiness of or information about food when selecting food. The aim of this study is to find out how the complexity of choosing food is manifested in perceptions of adolescent and how knowledge on nutrition is transformed into action in adolescent's lives. Furthermore, the effects of nutrition education on the quality of knowledge and action are reflected. The questions of this study are: 1. What kind of perceptions do adolescents have on food trends? 2. How is the importance of food selection related issues structured in adolescent's perceptions? 3. How the information and education on nutrition are combined in adolescent's perceptions? Methods. The qualitative data was collected by focus-group interviews from the students of optional home economics courses (N=24) in a school at Pirkanmaa, on May 2012. The data was analyzed with a qualitative method called qualitative content analysis. Results and conclusions. Teenagers were somewhat annoyed by food trends and worried about how these may increase incidences of anorexia nervosa. They were also hoping more criticism towards media by nutrition education. On the other hand, examples, such as adults' weight loss on low-carbohydrate diet effected positively on adolescent's perceptions of food trends. Adolescents are puzzled by the contradiction between eating habits they are taught and eating habits their parents follow. Adolescents' food choice was determined by the availability of food such as place to eat, the needs of food such as hunger/craving and the nutrition knowledge that is gained from parents, among others. Food choices are compromises between the three factors above. For example adolescents choose healthier foods at home than in restaurants, feel guilty after eating delicacies and appreciate homemade food; nutrition knowledge changes the eating behaviors of adolescents both physically, mentally and socially.