Should answers that put down homeschool kids or tell them to, "Go back to school" be reported?

Question

This is a homeschool section and I notice that there are people who only answer queries on this topic to bash homeschool. Since they never show any proof of their rude and ridiculous claims and even go as far as to lash out at children, should we just start reporting them? I've seen comments that range from a simple, "You should go to school", to "You are socially retarded and so are your children". This is not an answer. This is not helpful. Is it reportable?

Answer 1

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but lucky for us not everyone has mash for brains.

The ones who like to 'bash,molest,scare' homeschoolers are those who have no clue and are scared of anything that is different. In some cases these people don't even have children ( just like some of our Politions who pass educational laws).

They should be pitied and educated politely and yes in some cases IGNORED. Being rude only starts a cycle that gives them fuel and a soapbox to stand on.

UNLESS their answer will actually HARM someone, it is better to just ignore the answer/poster.

Homeschoolers: Many, Proud AND Here to Stay!!!!!

Homeschooling: Home where they belong!

Homeschooling= School at Home

Answer 2

You are right, it IS rather "trollish" behavior.

I vote for reporting it. If it were in response to a question asking for an opinion, then I could understand, even if they still can't back it up. But when it is just lashing out like that, I think I will begin reporting it.

It would be like someone asking a NON-OPINION related question in a religion forum and people responding "there is no God and you are an idiot"-that doesn't answer a question and is just hateful.

Same thing here

Answer 3

No, since even those who feel differently about educational choice/freedom, for whatever reason do have the right to voice their opinion even though we may not agree with them.

We voice our opinion as to why we believe the conventional school system is not for us; do answers containing these statements need to be reported as well?

Freedom of speech/choice works both way's; you cannot silence anyone from stating their opinion, even if it is based on a lack of knowledge on the subject.

I would however report foul language, treats, and other unacceptable communications.

Answering the questions can help dispel some of the myths, and those who have the same old arguments against home schooling, or any other alternative to conventional schooling may speak their piece as well.

Agree to disagree, keep it as factual as you can, and forgive those who still have a lot to learn about how to express themselves properly.

Answer 4

I know both sides of the question, I have friends who home school and I have family who are teachers. The interaction with peers your own age is lacking in home schooling. You deal with your family only and don't have to please other adults. You lack in public school the ability to learn about God because you might offend someone but that if you are a believer then you are offended. If they are lashing out at children, yes they should be reported but if they are stating their belief.

Answer 5

No. That's my opinion, not Yahoo rules. Like it or not, Yahoo is somewhat entertaining.....My son is 16 years old and has been homeschooled all his life.

Even outside of Yahoo, or perhaps I should say in the real world, there are hateful, rude, ignorant and ridiculous people. I find it best to allow my children to see and understand these people as they are.

Most people I have actually encountered who are against homeschooling are usually ignorant of it and know little about it. Information and patience with facts are powerful weapons.....but not everyone is interested in facts:

http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/00...

In His Service,

John the Baptist

2 children who are lifelong homeschooled

Answer 6

Personally insulting another member is a violation and can be reported.

Giving the opinion ( whether right or wrong) that homeschooling is inferior isn't reportable.

Telling homeschool children " go back to school" may be felt as insulting but that doesn't appear to fit as personal insult, more as opinion that may offend.

Offensive opinions aren't necessarily violations of community guidelines.

but then that's MY opinion and it may or may not be interpreted by Y/A the way I read it.

An education is as good as the teachers that provide it and as good as what questions the students ask...whether public, private or home school.

shalom :)

Answer 7

I think if it is not an answer to the question, it should be reported.  If a person asks a specific question about homeschool, and the person does not answer if they should be reported.

There will always be those who do not come to really discuss the topic at hand, for instance, there are more Atheists on the Religion and Spirituality board than there are religious people (of any faith).  When they don't answer the question, they should be reported too.

Personally though, the only people I've reported are 1. a person who tried to "pick up on" a girl who identified herself as being 11 years old.  2. people who post links to p*rnography or hate sites.  Otherwise I just ignore their comments, but that is just me, if tehy are violating community guidelines in anyway, you have every right to report.

Answer 8

A lot depends on the nature of the question.

Based on whatever says here if someone asks

"I'm having problems with my school, my teachers and bullies, what shoud I do?"

If you answer

Try homeschooling.

This it would become a reportable answer, because it is just the polar opposite of

Go back to school.

Answer 9

Yes, because they are not answering the question. An answer that is insulting can also be reported. I wouldn't report them if they actually came up with a legitimate article which can inform us of the "dangers" of homeschooling. Good luck on that.

This kind of problem is common in many categories but it's effect can be minimalized by reporting the offending comments.

Answer 10

If you want to report something, then report it.  Think for yourself.

Answer 11

Yes it is. I would report it, Yahoo Answers is designed to help children who truly don't understand their homework. I report any person who asks people to do their homework as well as anyone who puts anyone down. That's what the report it link is. I have read the "Rules" for Yahoo Answers and believe that this is all reportable.

Answer 12

If someone is asked an OPINION on what they feel about home schooling and give it I do not report it. If they respond in a manner that is not answering the question AT ALL and simply bashing for the sake of bashing, it should be reported.

I report all such answers and wish everyone would as well.

Answer 13

I do see where you're coming from, and the messages do ruffle my feathers as well. However, I don't think they're reportable. I'd like it a lot if they were. Not all of the anti-homeschool messages, mind you, but the ones that are intended to be putdowns and that make vast generalizations about how horrible homeschooling is, and present their opinions as if they were fact.... (I know, that pretty much covers most of the messages in question...) If they have a negative opinion about HSing, that's one thing. Share it if you want, but make sure to word it like an opinion statement UNLESS you have REAL evidence to back it up. The ones who come on here just so they can talk out of their backsides need to be checked... but really there's no good, fair way to do that without reaching a level of sensorship that will hurt more than it will help. *thinks* I know i put a point in here somewhere.... Ah, yes. I do see where you're coming from, but I don't think there is much that can be done about it. Maybe e-mail Yahoo and see what they think? Or just pay no mind to answers that come out of a backside? Send private messages to people who come here considering HSing if it seems their answer is getting hit with a lot of nonsense answers... Send them some real informational resources and explain the skeptic situation all HSers face at some point? That's what I try to do.

Answer 14

Sometimes...

I think the "You should go to school" comment while not helpful is not really reportable.

The "You are socially retarded and so are your children" is definitely reportable.

A few things that I gleaned from the Y!A community guidelines:

** Be Courteous

** Venting, Ranting, Hate Speech (is a no no)

** Being Mean (is a no no)

I think many times the answer types you describe are quite discourteous, we often see venting and ranting (many times off-topic) and definitely some just plain and simple "being mean."

Everyone sometimes gets a little excited or enthusiastic and slips up and says something that may be borderline.  If it is borderline, I'd say give the benefit of the doubt.  If it is clearly intended to insult then we should all start reporting.

*** UPDATE

I'd also say that we should all start reporting the "Help Me Cheat On My Homework" questions.

Answer 15

I think if the "Go back to school" response is an answer to a question like, "Which math curriculum do you think I should use?", it's reportable. Something that is obvious bashing should be reported. Things where it's based on what people seem to honestly believe is true... that's a harder call, imho. They don't know any better. If their information were correct and would be an answer to the question, I think it needs to be left. But if it's really obviously not an answer to the question... It's reportable.

Answer 16

yes i would report it.

Answer 17

Yes. It should definatetly be reported. This is a place for answers not for people's one sided opinions.

Answer 18

yes, that is reportable.

j

Answer 19

NO. Don't you want to teach your kids about freedom of speech as a necessary evil. Use those questions as example of that.

You can also teach them about stupidity, cowardly behavior due to anonymity and more.

Reporting a question or an answer is censorship and we have more than enough of it as it is.

EDIT = This is not a public street? Wake up and smell the coffee. It is a public street. The worst kind since it is a blind alley. Anonymity rules and with that a lot of nasty, foul, and whatever else you want to call them, responses. Some people are here, it seems, just to get you going. Hey, if they don't have anything better to do with their lives, that's their problem. Just ignore it. There are plenty of idiots in this world with not much to do and if you can't deal with it, you just don't belong on this site because they seem to love this place and people like you. Your feelings are only going to get hurt again and again...

In a perfect world, you would be right, this is a site for straight forward questions and answers but we are not in a perfect world and to make things worse, most questions invite an opinionated answer, yours included. You go so far as to mention that your question is about interpretation of the site's rules. Interpretation usually means opinion. Maybe you need to go back to your own homeschool and learn a few things you obviously cannot teach your kids.

"Here in Kentucky, you'd most likely also be beaten." You're right, your not inciting violence. Just wishing for it while not quite willing to admit to the fact... I spent a couple years in TN (Land Between The Lakes, just a few miles from your KY) and I'm still alive and bruise free. However much you want to be the voice of the people around you, you just are NOT.

And please don't tell us you want to know what we think, that is 100% BS. You want validation for your own ideas and nothing else. You are in the wrong place. unless, of course, your goal in life is to be a reporting maniac/nut.

You know what, I don't report the kids you're talking about. I just tell them to do their own homework.

Get a life!

Please get all your friends together. Maybe I'll break the record for most "thumbs down" on a single question.

By the way, YOU, and people like you, are the worst of advocate for homeschooling and you are a big thorn in the side of normal people who would otherwise think of it.

Answer 20

If you notice that it's the same person repeatedly, I'd report them.  But this is an 'open forum' and you are gonna run into idiots that just want to make lame comments.  For the most part I think you should just ignore it, there's really not anything you can do about it other than reporting them.  I don't know if that will do any good either, since all they really have to do is open a new account.  Good Luck!