Japan 高校1年 Basic Home Economics

Chapters: 4

1. Life course, family and welfare

Life planning · Independence in adolescence and family · Children and childcare · Older people and welfare · Inclusive society and welfare

Life Planning: Designing a Happy, Independent Life – Life planning means thinking ahead about the kind of life you want and how to get there. Life passes through stages (childhood, teenage years, young adulthood, adulthood, older age), each with its own tasks. Along the way come life events, some shared by most people and some chosen. You use five resources: time, money, health, people and skills. A good plan sets short, medium and long-term goals, prepares for risks with savings, insurance and public welfare, and is reviewed as life changes. Being an independent citizen means taking responsibility for yourself and others. In ageing societies with few births, planning for later life matters more than ever. Happiness comes from wellbeing in body, mind, relationships and purpose, not from money alone.

Food and health · Clothing and health · Housing and environment

Nutrition – Nutrition is how we get and use the substances in food. The body needs six groups of nutrients: carbohydrates and fats (mainly energy), proteins (growth and repair), vitamins and minerals (small amounts to keep the body working), and water, plus fibre for healthy digestion. Carbohydrate and protein give about 17 kJ per gram, fat about 37 kJ per gram. A balanced diet gives all nutrients in the right amounts, and energy in should roughly equal energy out.

Economic planning of life · Consumer behaviour and decision making · Sustainable lifestyles and environment

Smart Ways to Manage Your Finances – Inflation makes prices rise, so the same money buys less. Money kept in a bank earns interest: simple interest is paid only on the original amount, while compound interest also earns interest on earlier interest, so it grows faster over time. A budget plans income into needs, wants and savings. Savings are kept safe; investments can grow but carry risk, and higher possible returns mean higher risk. Insurance shares risk among many people. Income tax is paid on income above a limit, at rates that rise with income.
Consumer Rights – A consumer buys goods and services for use. Sellers can cheat consumers through short weight, adulteration, high prices or false ads. The Consumer Protection Act gives six rights: safety, information, choice, to be heard, redressal and consumer education. Quality marks and a three-level system of consumer commissions help consumers get justice.
Sustainable Lifestyle – A sustainable lifestyle meets today's needs without using up what future people will need. Every day we take water, food, energy and things from nature and return waste. Electricity, water, travel, food, things and waste together make our footprint. We can shrink it by buying only what we need, following the 5 Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle), saving energy and water, choosing greener travel and wasting less food.

Home project and school home-club activities

Coming soon