Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Let us clarify that I don't look down on anyone who has decided to homeschool. Both homeschooling and public schools are imperfect, it is your right as a parent to choose. There are 2 main reasons to homeschool, but religious reasons are definitely the most common. In fact 75% of all homeschooling families do it because of religion. The state of our schools is the other main reason, poor teaching, bullying, and school shootings contribute to this trend. Some Islamic families do it to avoid persecution. Some families participate it something called unschooling, basically learning through life, no formal studies. About 2.1 million children are estimated to be homeschooled at any time in the U.S. You ask why this made it into our blog about religion, I think the stat on why most people homeschool show why it is here. Some people use homeschooling to indoctrinate their kids with outlandish religious beliefs. Most people I know have the best of intentions when they homeschool, but there are some real wackos out there.
You can't argue that it provides flexibility, and a better parent/child bond. It has the other side too, lack of socialization in the melting pot that is American school, lack of ability to handle some situations involving peers, and poor development of leadership skills when applied to a peer group. I personally know an adult who was homeschooled through most of his childhood, and he hated it. At the mere mention of homeschooling my kids he made me promise not to. I wouldn't anyway, I don't believe that my academic level (or patience level) is up to this task.
Me and my husband are going to work on this one together since Allie is working all weekend, keep in mind that I currently have a kidney stone and am on a bunch of pain pills, so let me know if some of this doesn't make sense.
Is it good?
Homeschooling is better in part because the education of the child can be tailored to suit their specific needs. This is something you can't get at either public or private schools due to the amount of students. Homeschooling can provide a more solid and fulfilling relationship between parent and child. They spend more time with the family, and their lack of time with a peer group means that most of life's questions have to be directed at a parent. There is also a lack of bullying and peer pressure, some would say that you also don't have to worry about fitting in, but some kids don't fit in with their family, so I guess in some cases it's a pro, and in others a con. Parent also don't have to worry about their children wanted to have name brand clothes or other expensive items just so they can fit in.
About 91% of homeschoolers that do it for religious reasons are evangelical Christians, and they do it to provide strong morals for their kids. They don't have to worry about their child being taught something that they don't believe they should know. Sex Ed, the theory of evolution, and other public school teachings, go against the morals of some Christians. The kids aren't spending 8 hours a day talking with people of other religions who could influence their beliefs.Some people who homeschool for religious reasons are pretty mellow, they just want their kid to get the best chance in life. Some use it to make sure their kid doesn't have
a chance to form their own opinions. Homeschooling allows for the incorporation of religion and bible knowledge into daily teachings. If you believe that boys and girls are meant to fulfill certain rolls this can be taught better in a homeschool environment. Girls can be taught home ec., household mathematics, and child care; boys can be taught leadership, household repair, and various academic skills they need for college. If you have very strong religious beliefs, and you think a public school environment doesn't cultivate these beliefs, then homeschooling may be for you.
Studies show that well rested children learn better. Homeschool can start whenever you want it to during the day, so you will most likely have a well rested and happy student. Another thing is that all schoolwork has a purpose, no busywork is thrown at the students just to keep them busy. Your child will never miss out on learning because one kid in the class just doesn't get it, and the teacher has to spend time catching them up. In general homeschooling is faster paced, the student learns more, and generally scores better on standardized testing.
Is it bad?
I guess the socialization thing is the biggest con on the homeschooling scene, parents that homeschool would argue that their kids go to church, spend time with a group of homeschoolers, and play sports in the community, but some think that this just isn't enough. When homeschooling you must go to great lengths to socialize your children, and even then the sports opportunities kind of dry up when they get to a certain age. We believe that kids need time, alone, with their peer group. Another thing homeschool lacks is the specialty classes that schools have. Without a hugely extensive network of homeschooling families the kids will miss out on band, choir, athletics, journalism, debate, auto shop, home ec., languages, photography, and other classes that students can take if they are so inclined.
As any married couple can tell you, being with someone 24 hours a day 7 days a week can be taxing. I love my kids but after constant contact the kids may get on my nerves a bit. Homeschooling can also be quite expensive. All books, field trips, and extra activities have to be paid for by the parent. One parent must also forgo a full time job so they can be at home teaching. So really unless you live comfortably in a single income home it may be difficult to home school your kids. Lastly you can't get a high school diploma if you are homeschooled. Some colleges make it very difficult on you if you don't have one. There are many
hoops you have to jump through to get enrolled in college and getting a grant to do so is also very difficult.
My biggest worry for homeschooled kids is the lack of a qualified teacher. Not to say that parents are dumb, but everyone has their strong suits. I can't learn math, so how could I teach my kid to do it, even with a book that simplifies everything. There is no federal regulation on how smart a parent needs to be, or what education level a parent has to have, to homeschool. So while some parents may be well rounded in academics, sometimes you get idiots trying to teach their kids.
Why we don't do it
We don't homeschool our children because we aren't teachers. Stephen can't teach anyone anything without getting mad, and as I've said I believe that knowledge base prevents me from teaching. We also believe that homeschooled children, at least in our personal experience, are more naive, and this isn't always a good thing. We want our kids to know that not everyone is a good person, and not everyone believes like you do. It also just wouldn't suit my daughter, I don't know about my son yet, but my daughter thrives on having a structured day with her peers, she just learns better that way. Before she started Kindergarten I sat down and tried to teach her some basic math and reading. To say the least it ended in disaster, and more than a few tears on both ends, yet in just a few months at her public school she has already mastered basic math, and is well on her way to reading. We always try to take opportunities to teach our daughter, at the store, at the park, and even at home, she learns a ton. I try to teach her something out of the Bible everyday, and answer any questions to the best of my ability, so some of the schooling is done at home.
To sum it up it can be good or bad based on the parent. If you are using homeschooling as a method for brainwashing your kids to believe strictly what you do it will probably turn out badly. On the other hand if you are using it to make sure your kid is intelligent and kind it will probably work out well. If you go to the lengths of making sure they are socialized they won't be missing out on much, except the diploma, I'm not sure what homeschooling parents do about this... Eventually, homeschooled or not, children will grow up and learn how the world works, whether you like it or not, and sometimes they may not turn out to have the religious beliefs as you. A daughter who you wanted to be a mother and homemaker may turn out to be a lawyer or doctor, the son you wanted to be a strong Christian may turn out to be an Atheist. The hope is that no matter what you will always love and support them, even though you may be praying every night for them to change.
Another bonus to homeschooling... whenever you want a hug, there is always someone around to give you one.
