AAFCS

Founded in 1909, the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is the only professional association representing members from both multiple FCS practice settings and content areas. For example, AAFCS’ members work as secondary school FCS teachers, Extension educators, college deans and professors, and dietitians in settings such as state and federal government and test kitchens for food companies. Keep reading to learn more about AAFCS! 

Our Mission

AAFCS elevates the profession by inspiring research, leadership, and service to empower individuals, families and communities.

Our Vision

Individuals, families, and communities are achieving optimal quality of life assisted by competent, caring professionals whose expertise is continually updated through AAFCS.

Our Brand Story

Read the AAFCS Brand Story, which provides a brief overview of the Association’s history, purpose, programs, and members. AAFCS is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Our Core Values

Association members:
  • Believe in the family as a fundamental unit of society.
  • Embrace diversity and value all people.
  • Support life-long learning and diverse scholarship.
  • Exemplify integrity and ethical behavior.
  • Seek new ideas and initiatives and embrace change.
  • Promote an integrative and holistic approach, aligned with the FCS body of knowledge, to support professionals who work with individuals, families, and communities.

Our Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The AAFCS celebrates, embraces, and respects the value of every person. We denounce all expressions hate, racism, injustice, and discrimination. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice is demonstrated through our work to improve the well-being and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.

Available Now: 2024 AAFCS Annual Report

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Quick Links

In 1926, the American Home Economics Association adopted the Betty Lamp as a symbol for the association. The lamp derived its name from the German words "besser" or "bete," meaning "to make better." The Betty Lamp produced comparatively good light for its time and was used widely by early American colonists. Mildred Chamberlain of Chicago submitted the design stating, "The lamp in colonial days provided light for all household industries." Similarly, the AAFCS provides enlightenment through leadership in thought and action for FCS professionals. The current logo for AAFCS still pays tribute to the Betty Lamp, but in a more contemporary way and includes a person to represent the individuals, families, and communities served by FCS professionals.

AAFCS - Brand

AAFCS is the copyright and trademark owner of the AAFCS logo, Betty Lamp symbol, and related visuals.

Access the AAFCS logo and read our graphic standards manual



FCS - Brand

AAFCS is the copyright and trademark owner of the FCS logo and related visuals.

To learn more about the FCS brand usage, guidelines, and supporting materials, see our visit the Family & Consumer Sciences Brand page.

aafcs_logo.jpg

FCS Is Proud of Its History and Accomplishments

You may not have known that family and consumer sciences behind these significant consumer measures:

  • Pioneered research to develop specifications for consumer goods and more descriptive labeling on textiles.
  • Advocated successfully for the National School Lunch Act, which brought more nutritious meals to children.
  • Developed and taught food handling and preparation to help families avoid the spoilage and contamination of food.
  • Fostered the movement for preschool education.
  • Researched and taught about household sanitation.
  • Conducted food studies, leading to policy changes such as flour.
  • Performed the first extensive study of body measurements, thus standardizing sizes of garments and patterns.
  • Helped protect the well-being of the nation's families in times of war, depressions, and other disasters through emergency feeding, nutrition, food, and clothing conservation programs.
  • Took the lead in teaching “life skills”—personal finance, nutrition and dietetics, human/child development, and housing and interior design.
  • Assisted in establishing home economics/FCS programs in college and universities.
  • Advocated for critical improvements to "No Child Left Behind."

Background

Consumer economics was born here.

Family and consumer sciences (FCS), formerly known as home economics, gave birth to consumer education in 1909 with the founding of the American Home Economics Association, now the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).

FCS today is the comprehensive body of skills, research, and knowledge that help people make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. The field represents many areas, including:

  • Personal finance
  • Nutrition
  • Parenting and childcare
  • Interpersonal relationships
  • Family systems
  • Career exploration and preparation
  • Family resource management
  • Design and merchandising
  • Interior design
  • The apparel industry
  • Environmentally responsible construction 

AAFCS members are influencing generations of consumers in these areas:

Our members want to buy products and services such as these:

  • Personal Finance
  • Food Sciences and Nutrition
  • Human Development
  • Apparel Design and Manufacturing
  • Textile and Fiber Sciences
  • Housing and Interior Design
  • Health and Physical Fitness Training
  • Child and Elder Care
  • Parenting/Child Development
  • Family Resource Management
  • Consumer Affairs and Education
  • Consumer Product Development
  • Management of Work and Family Life
  • Home Economics
  • Financial Planning, Investing
  • New technologies for K-12
  • Computer software and equipment for secondary and undergraduate classrooms
  • New technologies for home use
  • Online education/distance learning products
  • Culinary training software and resources
  • Biotech and organics—teaching/purchasing aids
  • Food and educational items
  • Obesity, fitness, and health information and products
  • Credit, banking, consumer spending resources
  • Life skills products
  • Financial planning, investing, retirement resources
  • Parenting software, publications, programs
  • Teen living, teen pregnancy resources
  • Safe and effective cleaning products
  • Career training resources
  • Sewing machines/kits/threads/ software
  • Products for quilting, knitting, embroidery
  • Interior design products, particularly environmentally responsible items
  • Textiles/apparel products
  • FCS curriculum/lesson plans and software
  • Kitchen and cooking supplies and appliances
  • Housing, assisted living, retirement products
  • Resources for child, family, and community development
  • Crafts and educational games
  • Tools that support social, emotional health
  • Drug, alcohol, tobacco, violence prevention resources

Ellen Richards

It All Began with the First Female Graduate of MIT

AAFCS was founded by the first female graduate and professor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ellen H. Richards, who was an activist for consumer education, nutrition, child protection, industrial safety, public health, career education, women's rights, purity of air, food, and water, and the application of scientific and management principles to the family. In 1909, she and a small group of women and men met in Lake Placid, NY, and created what became known as the American Home Economics Association. In 1994, the organization changed its name to the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. Her professional experience and foresight led to the formalization of the family and consumer sciences profession.