Home Economics is a subject taught in the Junior Certificate course in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Libya. The course is similar to other Home Economics courses but with some differences. The subject is generally optional and many of its participants are female (however, a rising number of males are now taking the subject at both Junior and Leaving Cert levels). The course covers cooking, textile work (such as sewing), nutrition, childcare, family life, Consumer law, food science, social studies and many other topics associated with homemaking, professional cookery, culinary arts & of course many other professions.