An assessment of the home economics educational needs of potential black clientele in Hamilton County, Tennessee

The major purpose of this study was to assess the home economics educational needs of Hamilton County black family members as perceived by potential program participants and key community leaders. Data were obtained from two separate surveys administered to 84 potential clientele and 47 key leaders in Hamilton County, Tennessee. The major findings of this study indicated: 1. Television was perceived by both the potential clientele and the key leaders as the most effective method of keeping informed on community activities. Key leaders also ranked television as the second most effective teaching method for reaching black families. 2. The key leaders tended to perceive all 39 home economics problem areas as larger problems than did the potential clientele. 3. Both the potential clientele and key leaders ranked weight control and fitness, stress (related to health), setting financial goals, use of time, and stress management within the top seven most important problems from 39 possible problem areas. 4. Potential clientele with children living at home tended to perceive 14 problem areas as larger problems than did potential clientele without children living at home. 5. Potential clientele age 39 and under tended to perceive 10 problem areas as more important than did the potential clientele age 40 and over. Implications were drawn and recommendations for further study were made.