The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which home economics, as a subject within the South Australia secondary curriculum, is orientated towards the future in the way that leading educators and futures writers suggest that the current subjects should be, and compare this 'official' orientation with the perceptions of home economics teachers. The main body of research consisted of three main parts: a study of futures literature, a state wide survey of home economics teachers, and an analysis of current educational documentation. These parts were then examined to determine what links existed between them, ie. the extent to which home economics is, and might be, a part of a relevant education within South Australian secondary schools. Four 'trends' concerned with major areas of change, and linked closely to home economics, were identified from the futures literature. They included changing traditional family structures and relationships, social changes, the transformation of work, and changes in food, fabric and health technology. These 'trends' were the basis for a questionnaire issued to 113 schools. This focused on home economics teachers' current perceptions and their future thoughts on the teaching of issues within the four 'trends'. The 'trends' were also the main analysis tool used to examine current education department documents, including reports, philosophical statement, and curriculum guidelines. The study provided evidence that home economics did indeed have the potential to cover a rich range of issues deemed important, and necessary inclusions in a modern curriculum, by leading futures writers. Home economics teachers in South Australia generally recognised these issues, and to some considerable extent reported that they were covering these issues in their teaching. However, there were some significant points where the predictions of futures writers and the predictions of home economics teachers diverged. A conclusion from the study is that home economics teachers face a double challenge: the need continually to update their subject content, and the need to represent the value of their subject to others with clarity and conviction.