Comments on the division of labor in occupations concerned with food

The roles of men and women in relation to food have always been sharply defined: animals belonged to men and plants and food preparation to women. Thus, when the land-grant colleges were established, men were taught animal husbandry and agricultural methods; in home economics, women learned the "home-making" arts, including nutrition and were concerned with people. But, as nutrition became more scientific, men took it over, separating it from home economics. In so doing, less attention was paid to the human elements in food production. World food policies are now made without regard to feeding people, and women have been progressively left out in the decision-making. The increase in nutritional knowledge in the last half century has had little effect on policies. Because Americans set the pattern the rest of the world will emulate, we must come to the realization that we cannot alleviate hunger with money alone-hunger is relieved with food, and food supplies are finite. Real sacrifices in terms of food itself, such as were made in World Wars I and II, will be necessary. Knowledge that millions are truly hungry may convince mothers to feed their children and families in different ways.