When I was in highschool, home ec consisted of learning how to cook for half the term, and learning how to sew during the other half. Both those things are important, though I admit that I haven't sewn one thing since then, and to this day, can't sew a button or hem pants to save my life. Embarassing, I know. But now that I'm an adult, there are things I've had to deal with that I really fucking can't stand, such as: putting together Ikea furniture with that stupid little piece of metal that is supposed to act like a screwdriver; how to install curtains; how to use a stinking power drill, stuff like that.
Nothing makes me feel more like a helpless woman than when I walk into Home Depot or an auto shop. I don't know what things are called and when you ask for help, I have no idea what they're talking about. All I know is that I need a thingy or a doohicky that'll help with the whachamacallit. I am not in my comfort zone and I hate that.
I had to install some curtains recently, and judging by what I see on all these home reno shows, it looks pretty easy. But then you get home, open the packages, try to follow the instructions, and realize that you don't actually know how to use a bloody screwdriver, and what the hell is a Phillips? Then after putting holes in the wall in the wrong spots, you start getting angry that you can't do it, and then you start crying because you realize that you will never be Debbie Travis or Martha Stewart, and are a failure as a woman.
Most of the time I feel like a capable, independent woman who can take care of herself. But then at times like those mentioned above, all I want to do is have a man come over and do this crap for me, along with killing spiders, and putting air in my tires. These are requirements for my future husband. If you can't do these things, then just go away, because there's no point in two people not knowing how to do it. It's not that I can't learn it - of course I could learn all of that. It's that I don't want to. I'm not interested, and have no inclination towards that kind of stuff. Feminists will hate me for saying this, but I am happy to have those things be a man's job!
However, if we want more girls growing up knowing how to do the things I can't, then they really need to start teaching this stuff in home ec. Spend a week teaching them how to put together a shelf from Ikea or how to check the oil in their cars. Or how to use tools and know what the hell a leveler is for. Otherwise, they'll wind up like me, trying their best to prove themselves, but failing miserably, and grabbing the closest guy to squash their bugs for them.
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