Consumers Should Know.

Overview & Synopsis

Consumer education can be defined as "a study of intelligent and effective methods of buying and using goods and services, competent money management, and the relationship of the consumer to the economy, the workplace, and the home." An important role of government is providing the individual with information so that the individual can exercise the option of choice provided by our system of government. On the Federal level, consumer education cuts across all departmental and agency lines. As a result of the Education Act of 1972, the Federal Government became involved in consumer education. Most junior and senior high schools today offer some courses in consumer economics as part of the home economics program or as part of marketing education, business education, or social studies. However, these programs are funded by a much larger percentage of state and local funds than Federal funds. The challenge today is to get consumer information to the people who need it the most, including those who are disadvantaged or illiterate. Efforts should be made to use television, outreach programs, newspapers, and basic education courses as vehicles to bring consumer education to a larger proportion of the population, especially to those who need it the most. Officials at the national level encourage activities to support strong private and voluntary activity and partnerships for consumer education. (KC)