What do you REALLY know about...?

Question

homeschooling?

Most questions asked about this topic here at Yahoo! Answers get ignorant answers from people that obviously have no idea of what homeschooling really is, offers, and involves. Almost all of them perpetuate the stereotypical myths of a lack of socialization, inability to transition to college, and the like.

I answered a question about homeschooling earlier in the Pregnancy & Parenting section, where many of the answers were like this. One suggested that there are a lot of things available at public school that homeschoolers can not access. What would that be?

Everyone is free to make their own choice for their children, whether it be homeschool, private school or public school. Homeschooling is definitely best for my children! You might choose something else for yours, but why does that give you (generalizing here) the right to criticize someone else's choice of education for their child, just because it is not the "norm"?

I am tired of people posting incorrect information, stating stereotypes as if it is fact, etc. Why answer a question when you do not really have any knowledge of the subject?

Answer 1

homeschooling is great if you, or whoever homeschools your child, are REALLY qualified.  you know exactly what curriculum is being taught and who your child's "classmates" are.

what shouldn't be forgotten is that children also need to learn social skills, beginning at a very young age.  they should be involved in other activities as well, such as boy or girl scouts, sports, church groups, etc. for social interaction.

i've seen several homeschooled kids who were very bright, but completely inept socially.

Answer 2

Why are you so defensive?  Anything you do that is not of the norm is going to get criticized but, if you are confident in your choices, then why sweat it?  Personally, unless you live in a rural area or in a bad neighborhood, I don't' see the point to homeschooling.  I tend to view it as being for parents who are afraid of allowing their kids to be in the real world, mainly because the parents I know who do it are UBER religious and conservative.  But, hey - their choice, although I feel not giving them the chance to see all sides of things does them no favors.  I can see some of the advantages of homeschooling but I know it would not be in the best interest for MY kids.  I would doubt my ability to give them the best education.  Perhaps that is different for you so more power to you.  

Answer 3

homeschool kids end up like homos

Answer 4

I was homeschooled for a few different grades as a child. Its great for a young child, you can teach them the values and morals that the schools will not. I went to school in my junior year of high school. I hated not having a social life. There were homeschool groups in my area, but sometimes it is really hard to make friends, I always had a hard time making friends. SO really I believe homeschooling is a great opportunity if you have the time, and have a big homeschool group in your area (mine only consisted of 5 kids)

Answer 5

Im 18 i was home schooled for two years.

my 8th grade year and my 11 grade year.

it was nice to work at my own pace and on my own schedule.

i made great grade but somtimes i didnt feel like i truely earned them and i could compare them to anyone elses score. i did two different home schools. the first was a series of DVD's and the second was online.

i much preferred the online. Online was easier as i didnt have to mail in my work but simply email. and it taught me to type. There where alot of advantages like i could go to work when they scheduled me and my work wasnt due  on a specific time. it is much like college in a way though. you can really only depend on yourself and it takes a lot of hard work. my only problems where in math when there wasn't someone there to lecture to me every day and give me extra help. sure there where teachers i could call or email but its different then having them in person repeating it to you every day from some one with years of experience and different teaching methods so your child can reap the benifits. Although i wasnt fond of my peers i did feel lonely and isolated sometimes with out any friends or anyone to talk to, of coarse im an only child but that doesnt really change the circumstances.

Your right they are your children and you have the final say so.

but eventually they may want to know what public school is like, and they may not like it but they might.

Answer 6

I'm not fully informed on homeschooling but I don't see it as a bad thing in the least, my husband does though.

I know people who were home schooled for various reasons and with the way the US system mis right now, I'd most likely end up homeschooling my kids so they actually learn things and aren't pressured to keep the school open with high grades.

As long as the child is happy, whats the harm?

No socializing? Why must school be the only place for kids to make friends?

There are parks and local programs the child can get into and make loads of friends.

Answer 7

I think that might be a narrow minded way of thinking.  It may be whats best for your children now.  But possibly bettering your community, and community schools would be better in the longrun.

If you have the talent and finances to stay home and teach.  Why not volunteer in your schools.  Make them better for everyone.  Strengthen your community, which in turn will create a better environment for your kids, and you'll be a great role model for your kids.  What kind of message does home schooling give them, that you've given up?

Answer 8

I agree with you. Any questions I have about homeschooling are directed toward my sister who has been homeschooling all 7 of her children.

Answer 9

People speak out of ignorance.  Most people state opinion as fact and rarely do any research on their own unless it is spoon fed to them through some kind of media hype.  People don't know how to think for themselves, they depend on the television and the internet to give them their opinions and then boldy state them out loud as if they originally thought it up.  Don't get too stressed over it.  A person can be smart, but people are stupid.  Haha.  Btw, I plan on homeschooling my children, I've done my research, I know what's best.

Answer 10

I know families who homeschool, and their kids are turning out great.  Academically, homeschooling can be a wonderful choice.  Socially, you can certainly make it work if you work hard to get your kids together with other kids (and other adults) outside school hours, including in some group settings as well as one-on-one.  

But certainly homeschooling (like public schooling) has cons as well as pros.  It can certainly be a good thing to spend so much of your life with a parent, but it can be a bad thing, as well.  My observation of the families I know who are homeschooling is that they have wonderful but very sheltered kids.  Indeed, that's why they chose to homeschool:  to shelter their kids from things that they didn't want them exposed to.  Is it a stereotype? I suppose you can homeschool without sheltering, but it's pretty much by definition that if you homeschool the child is spending a lower than typical percentage of their time around people other than parents and exposed to ideas not shared by the parents.   Whether that's right or wrong I can't say.  But for my kids, I considered homeschooling for a variety of reasons but ultimately decided while academically they might have been better off homeschooled, they would ultimately benefit more from spending more time with adults other than me and more time in somewhat less sheltered social environments.

I'm not at all criticizing your decision to homeschool, btw.  Everything is a balancing act and there are pros and cons to any type of schooling.  Undoubtably you know what works best for your own children.