A SCOPING REVIEW OF THE SYNERGY BETWEEN HOME ECONOMICS AND EDUCATION

Abstract

Home Economics (HE), increasingly conceptualized as Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), has evolved from a domestically oriented discipline into a multidisciplinary field addressing contemporary societal challenges such as sustainability, health, and financial literacy. Despite its transformative potential, the integration of HE within mainstream educational curricula remains fragmented and under-theorized. This study employs a scoping review methodology guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework to systematically map the evidence on the pedagogical synergy between HE and formal education. A comprehensive search across Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and Google Scholar identified 65 records, of which 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. The review synthesizes theoretical foundations, integration models, outcomes, and barriers associated with HE–education synergy. Findings reveal that HE serves as a critical interdisciplinary platform, particularly within STEAM education grounded in constructivist, experiential, ecological, social cognitive, and systems thinking theories. Key outcomes include enhanced student engagement, improved literacy (food, financial, and health), and strengthened sustainability awareness. However, structural barriers such as gender stereotypes, resource constraints, and curriculum overcrowding persist. The findings position HE as a vital yet underutilized component of 21st-century education.