Content Analysis of ‘Preparing for Parenthood’ Chapters in the 2015 Revised Curriculum High-School Technology and Home Economics Textbooks: Implications for Pre-Parent Education Aimed at Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to identify ways to implement pre-parent education for adolescents in regular classes at school. This was achieved by investigating whether the contents of the 2015 revised curriculum high-school technology and home economics textbooks reflected the goals of pre-parent education. The main texts and activities of chapters with ‘preparing for parenthood’ in the title from 12 high-school technology and home economics education textbooks were analyzed with respect to the three pre-parent education goals of developing perceptions and attitudes toward parenthood, learning parenting knowledge and skills, and reinforcing parental capacity. The results were as follows. First, textbook contents and activities reflected the three goals of pre-parent education in a balanced manner. Second, both the contents and activities of textbooks tried to motivate students to perceive parenthood and parenting through reflection on their relationship with their own parents. Third, because the textbooks encouraged students to consider parenthood and parenting, they acknowledged the importance of undertaking pre-parent education to reinforce their parental capacities. Using such textbooks in regular technology and home economics classes is expected to provide students with an opportunity to consider parenthood and shape their perceptions and attitudes accordingly, thereby allowing adolescents to prepare themselves for parenthood and become good parents.