Masters Theses

Date of Award

6-1984

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr

Committee Members

Robert Dotson, Helen Rader

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize Lauderdale County homemakers as to their use of recommended clothing consumer practices, number of Extension contacts, sources of clothing information. Home Demonstration Club membership, sewing for self and/or family and the relationships between these variables. Sixty homemakers were randomly selected and personal interviews were conducted by County Extension agents. Those interviewed included 24 general homemakers, 18 Home Demonstration Club members, 11 Tennessee State University homemakers and 7 4-H parents. Interview schedules were developed by the University of Tennessee Extension Clothing Specialist, Helen Rader. Agents conducted the interviews during Fall of 1982 and Winter of 1983.

The data were coded and punched on computer cards, and computations were made by the University of Tennessee Computing Center. Statistical tests used to determine the strength of relationships between variables as well as the significant levels included the one-way analysis of variance F test and the Chi Square test. The .05 probability level was accepted as significant.

Major findings included the following:

1. Homemakers were not keeping a clothing inventory.

2. Homemakers were consumer-conscious: 93 percent would file a complaint with store manager; 98 percent shopped at reliable stores; 90 percent were satisfied with sale purchase and 92 percent relied on labels before purchasing.

3. Homemakers sought help for clothing care more often than any other clothing area. Ninety percent of homemakers used the Extension Agents and 80 percent used Extension Publications for sources of help with clothing care.

4. Extension contacts significantly influenced the homemakers in considering most areas of quality and workmanship before purchasing.

5. Homemakers who averaged more Extension meetings and clothing meetings were more likely to rely on labels before purchasing,

6. Homemakers who averaged attending more Extension meetings and clothing meetings, altered and made-over clothes more often as a matter of economy.

7. Homemakers involved in Home Demonstration clubs were more likely than non-members to file complaints when unsatisfied at the local level with the manufacturers.

8. Homemakers who sewed relied heavily on Extension for information and instruction.

9. Home Demonstration Club members averaged significantly more Extension contacts than non-members.

Implications and recommendations were also made.

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