THE CONSUMER AND HOMEMAKING PROGRAM AS ENVISIONED BY THE U.S. LEGISLATORS WHO PASSED PUBLIC LAW 94-482 EDUCATIONAL AMENDMENTS OF 1976, AIMS AT PREPARING BOTH MALES AND FEMALES TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY IN THE CONTEMPORARY FAMILY AS A SOCIOECONOMIC UNIT. THE MAJORITY OF PROGRAMS SERVE SECONDARY SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH, BUT THERE ARE PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS IN EVERY STATE. A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM INCLUDES INSTRUCTION IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS: CONSUMER EDUCATION; FOOD AND NUTRITION; FAMILY LIVING AND PARENTHOOD EDUCATION; CHILD DEVELOPMENT; HOUSING AND HOME MANAGEMENT; AND CLOTHING AND TEXTILES. SPECIALIZED COURSES ARE AVAILABLE IN EACH OF THE SIX AREAS. THE CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF THE PARTICIPANTS WITHIN THEIR CULTURAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS. IT IS NOTED THAT DIVORCE, ECONOMIC NEED, AND THE EMPHASES OF THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT HAVE BROUGHT THE STRESS OF CHANGE TO THE CONTEMPORARY FAMILY, AND SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE MUST BE ACQUIRED BY BOTH MALES AND FEMALES TO FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY AND EFFECTIVELY IN GIVEN FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS BELIEVED THAT YOUTHFUL AND ADULT OFFENDERS UNDERGO THE SAME FAMILIAL STRESSES AS THE SOCIETY AT LARGE, BUT IN AN EXAGGERATED FORM. MODELS FOR EFFECTIVE FAMILY LIVING HAVE BEEN ABSENT OR SEVERELY LACKING IN THE LIVES OF MOST OFFENDERS. SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR IN TEACHING THE PROGRAM IN AN OHIO JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ARE DESCRIBED. THE INSTITUTION ADMINISTRATION'S LACK OF APPRECIATION FOR THE VALUES OF THE COURSE AND ITS CONSEQUENT WAVERING SUPPORT PROVED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEMS. IT IS ADVISED THAT THE IDEAL PROGRAM IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WOULD HAVE THE GENERAL APPROACH OF IDENTIFYING NEEDS, PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION, AND APPLYING LEARNING TO REAL SITUATIONS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)