I’m seriously tired of finding articles on the lovely internet explaining to me (and everyone else) in great detail how we (homeschoolers, unschoolers, home-educated, and everyone else who does not attend the public school system) are set up for failure our whole life. Take this essay for example:
(full reading HERE)
Homeschooling is not quite as attractive as when you compare it to attending a regular school in the long run. There are skills that can only be learnt in a public environment whilst allowing the child to become comfortable dealing with other life realities. Home schooling does not readily possess the requirements for children to be productive members of society. As such the disadvantages of homeschooling far outweigh the benefits that might be gained in the short-run.
Even after all these years, I still cannot figure out what skills I am lacking of because of my education at home. Is it because I’m not dating someone? Or I don’t scream at my parents? Oh wait. Maybe it’s the fact that I actully spell my words (properly) instead of using ‘txt speek’. How weird is that.
First of all, to consider homeschooling, one of the parents must be able to devote a large part of their day in not only tutoring the child, but to also research on the necessary materials for the child’s age.
Yet somehow, my mother had found time to do it for three (four a few years ago) different children. Every day. AND have time left over to do things she wants to do. Superwoman! ♥
Incidentally, even the cost of homeschooling your child is greater compared to sending your child to a school.
Not true. You can get most every resource you need to teach at home from the internet or library system. SERIOUSLY!
While there are parents who claim that children who learn at home are more behaved because of the standards set by their parents and tutors, the social cost of it is more than what might be compared to children who go to school and interact with other children.
The disadvantage of homeschooling, in a very large part, is the social cost. Studies have shown that a child who attends regular school, whether it is a private or public one, develops social skills that will allow them to function in society.
Well, they’re just right here. I mean, how CAN a child function in this “real” world without knowing from age seven how to curse and hide things from their parents?
And I have to wonder…if we (home-educated) don’t live in the “real” world… where do we live?
Children in a classroom setting are allowed to ask questions and are expected to ask their questions, also informing other children that they are not singular in having similar thoughts. There is a sense of camaraderie a classroom setting that benefits children knowing that whilst they are different from each other, learning each other’s backgrounds, they are all pursuing how to get along with one another.
Maybe in some classrooms, but not the majority. All of my public schooled friends have broght me tales of classrooms where they are scoffed at when they present an idea. They are not learning how to get along. They are learning that the meanest person wins.
I am not, by any means, saying that all Public Schools are evil. But alot of them are.
And maybe if the world wants the ‘truth’ about homeschoolers, we should have articles in place that were written BY home educated people.
So what are your thoughts? Have you ever been informed by a complete stranger that you’ve thrown your life away by being taught at home?
