What do you think about those who claim the home school section has become nothing more than ...?

Question

... a home schooler's bulletin board?

This is a quote from a recent hs answer to a question asking why non-homeschoolers "answer" homeschool questions with insults rather than providing meaningful responses:

"Yahoo answers is not running a homeschoolers bulletin board."

I have seen similar comments several times over the past couple of months.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

I think that there should be points of view from both sides... those who are hs supporters and those who aren't, in life there are two sides to every story and you always have more than one choice.  I think it becomes a 'bulletin board' of sorts when answerers who aren't necessarily supporters are abused for having a different point of view and are constantly pushed to explain or defend why they feel the way they feel...  there seems to be a lack of respect from SOME hsers for those of us having a point of view that is in favor of the public school system....  I have seen that in this area alot...

Answer 2

I am a homeschooler, but I think many homeschoolers get defensive about what non-homeschoolers have to say about homechooling.  While their comments indicate their usual total lack of knowledge about homeschooling, we can't stop them from posting.  This is America, and they have the right to their opinions--even if the opinions are uninformed.

As a homeschooler, I don't feel as though I have to defend my choice to anyone.  I try my best to educate and inform others, yet, I know that there will always be those who make comments like one of my sisters, "When is ____________ going to go to real school?"  I simply tell her ___________ is being educated and move on.  I consider the source and don't get upset with her anymore; the source is someone who knows nothing about homeschooling.  She has chosen not to listen when I tell her about homeschooling; I have tried to educate/inform her, but she is stuck on believing that school is the best place for children to be.  I can't change her opinion and I no longer try.

My decision has been made; I am going to homeschool and that's it--case closed.

Answer 3

My thoughts are that you need to get over it.  No offense intended.  Anyone can and will respond, and that's life.  I am in favor of home schooling, but only if it teaches basic life coping skills....like what to do when someone does or says something you don't like.  Do you weep and whine, or ignore it and move on?  This is not a bulletin board, but even if it were, you cannot control what other people post, and you shouldn't want to, anyway.

Answer 4

I think it's part illogical thinking: why wouldn't there be homeschoolers in here supporting homeschooling? Or hypocritical thinking: "I can naysay you all I want but you can't do it back to me--that just shows you're closed minded." {roll eyes}

I've seen different people say similar things. Usually, it's in response to our pointing out the errors (which they call "defensiveness") in what they've said in their own answers. They give all kinds of opinions--that are completely false or that aren't backed up in any way--and seem to think we're not open to other points of view. Of course we're open to other points of view, but when the point of view presented is so far off what is true, it's kind of like trying to convince us that the sun really does revolve around the Earth.

Answer 5

This is misleading,

The question asked was this:

"If you're against homeschooling, why answer questions here?

I have trouble understanding why those of you who are against homeschooling continue coming to this section to answer."

The full answer given was;

"Because that is what this section is for. So that people can answer questions about homeschooling.

Yahoo answers is not running a homeschoolers bulletin board"

The bit about using "insults rather than providing a meaningful response" was not in the question or the answer.

-

edit:  No problem - and  you do have a point. If HS enthusiasts find the section 'hostile', there won't be an  HS section.

I don't think anyone would apply the same tolerance on the R&S board though - feelings are too deeply held both ways, and a lot of the people there just seem to want to trade insults.

Answer 6

I think it's interesting. Primarily because I rarely see a 'question' in the homeschooling section that is just idle chitchat or posting of gathering information, which is what a bulletin board would be like. Secondarily because there are a dozens of other topics on Y!A which *are* being utilized as such.

The question to which you are referring had several telling answers. I think I answered that and stated that I had no problem with nonsupportive answers as long as they were factually correct, which they rarely are.

Answer 7

The few who abuse Yahoo! answers ought simply to be reported.  I post more often in other categories, and I can assure you that responses in higher education or performing arts can also descend to obscene, rude, irrelevant, or self-promoting.

And I think the politics section gets even more of it than homeschooling.

Note also that homeschooling is a hot-button issue for some on both sides.  I respect homeschooling when it's done well (and I believe it commonly is so), but there are many questions here where I have to conclude that the asker has no business being involved in homeschooling.  I try to convey those sentiments respectfully--but for many, rigorous criticism is no different from disrespect.

I would tell "homeschooling mother" above that, in fact, she does have to defend her choice to homeschool--in the same way that all teachers today are being required to defend the quality of their instruction.  It's unfortunate that a decent defense (which ought to be simple: "my kid is learning, here are the test scores!") isn't enough for some.

Answer 8

I understand that Yahoo Answers is a place to ask questions in order to get meaningful answers. Some people ask for specific information that they coudn't find anywhere else, or because they don't know where or how to begin looking for that information, or because they don't "want" to look for the information.

Some people ask not for information but for opinions, which is closer to a Forum place, but I think it is still a right thing to do.

Of course, deciding the "best answer" when you are asking for opinions rather than information is not only difficult, it is unfair. Different opinions may be all right...unless they are based on misinformation and prejudice, all opinions should count as "right".

I think those people who feel upset because the "homeschool" section has people who is against homeschooling is acting the same way Christian people act in the Religion & Spiritual" section when somebody is atheist or buddist and express his/her beliefs/thoughts.

"R & S" section is about just that" religion and Spirituality and not a place designed for Christians, or Muslims, or Buddhists or Atheists.

The same happens with homeschooling: everybody involved in homeschooling or even in "schooling" and raising children has the right to express an opinion or give information.

What is wrong is having to tolerate people who is "earning" points in Yahoo Answers just for spreading misinformation and insults.

The same way as I can't tolerate people from any religion/beliefs (or lack of them) that "express" their opinions showing hate, bullying the person who asked or rating badly just because they didn't like the opinion/question expressed.

If I don't like or not agree with a question or opinion I have two choices:

1) To ignore the question/opinion and go answer another question/read another opinion/answer or...

2) Express my dislike showing facts and sources and respecting what others have to say.

Answer 9

I think that if that's the worst thing they can come up with, their creativity is sorely lacking.

Parts of this forum are like a bulletin board - people come here for advice from those who have been there.  However, every single section of Y!A has that aspect - people come there for advice.  People looking into becoming a vegetarian will ask an advice-seeking question on that forum, and a teacher who is at their wit's end will ask an advice seeking question on that forum.  People who have an honest question about Islam will ask an advice-seeking question on R/S...and the list goes on.

However, this forum also has many questions that spark a bit of debate, which is not in any way similar to a bulletin board.  In debate questions, both sides do have a fair chance to answer, as long as those answers are respectful, thought out, and well-informed.  There are times that a previously-rude naysayer will get thumbs-downed for a little bit after they decide to be respectful, but once they really start answering in an adult, respectful manner, their thoughts are often respected here by many people.  Naysaying opinions, even respectful ones, may not be welcomed by many homeschoolers, but I think I'm correct in saying that they are respected if given in a respectful and informed manner.

This is a forum set aside for homeschooling, and like any other forum, the people that tend to "hang out" here are the people for whom the title applies.  I don't hang out a lot on some forums, because those aren't my strong points.  I wouldn't have anything to contribute.  However, I have several years experience homeschooling and teaching, and I feel that I do have something to contribute here.  

I enjoy hearing a lot of the other opinions, and I like jumping into the debate.  I will slap down posters that answer in an ignorant and rude manner, but otherwise I really like seeing and answering all sides of the question.

Good question!

Edit - DHC, I just wanted to say that I do appreciate your voicing of your opinion in a respectful way, and I gave you a thumbs up.  I for one do respect "dissenting" opinions when they are given in a respectful manner.  You are definitely entitled to that opinion, just as I am entitled to mine.  :-)

Answer 10

I read the answers to Jazzy's question and it was a good question that got many answers that were not really answers....soooo.... The person who said this section had become a bulletin board just gave a bulletin board non answer....soooo... Well   let me think about this for a minute....Yea, maybe they think this is an anti-homeschool bulletin board?

Oh yea, to answer your question YSN, (and it was a good question)    I think those who claim the homeschool section has become nothing more than a homeschooler's bulletin board are WRONG.

If they think this is bad, they ought to peep inside the Spiritual room  of Y!A.    Wall to wall soap boxes! (smile)

Answer 11

Perhaps it is a homeschooler's bulletin board.  I rather enjoy it.  I like to encourage others if I can, I learn about new curriculum, about new ways of learning.   Most of all it is my support group.   I read about others challenges and strategies and receive vicarious encouragement from the participants.  

    Yes, sadly I am aware of the bias against homeschool education but I never knew how much hatred there can be because of it.   I did see the Simpsons episode about homeschooling and heard about Doctor Phil's effort to bash homeschoolers.   It is really sad that in the part of the world that supposedly encourages individuality there should be such distrust and hatred of those who don't conform.

Answer 12

hmmmmmmmm

I'm not really sure I understand that statement.  A bulletin board is where you post things.   things that are happening(politics, ecology, economy, polls), things you are looking for(answers), things you want to get rid of (doubts, fears, expectations?).

So my thinking would be that ALL of YA is a bulletin board.

No?

Answer 13

They think this is a place to vent. Some have even admitted to being angry at homeschooling family members. They cannot attack that person directly, so they come here to scratch that itch. Is that what YA is for? I don’t think so. They have ill informed opinions that they confuse with actual information. This is Yahoo Answers, not Yahoo Insults, Yahoo Guesses, or Yahoo Stereotypes. If they do not have real answers, but conjecture they want to pass off as useful information, they are going to be called out about it. The same homeschool haters continue to post the exact same negative comments and irrational questions ("Why don't you just move to where the "good" schools are?" Sure and the entire country of Ethiopia should have just moved where the food was.).  They create bogus statistics and never once back up their prattle with a single fact. They hardly ever even read the question to see if their particular opinion is wanted. You can ask a question about how to homeschool in TX and get 5 answers that tell you you're a tool, HS sucks, should be illegal, stunts the social growth of the child etc. If you question their supositions, you are accused of attacking them, being closed minded and disrespectful. These answers are based on the research they never did or read but decided just now must be true. They can tell you what a horrible parent you are and how much damage they guess you must be doing to your child, that your religion and life style are just plain wrong, all without ever meeting you or you child. But they report you if you disagree. If you demonstrated their attitudes in religion, culture, politics or science sections of YA, you'd get schooled and likely reported. I've just started blocking all the bigots. I come on here to honestly answer homeschool questions in an informed way, and receive the same kind of answers, not to reread the same old ridiculous remarks day after day.

EDIT:   Informed opinions that differ are great, when they are requested. They are not appropriate in most of the questions asked here. Made up facts, stats and issues should not be tolerated. I also think those taking a strong stance against homeschooling in a homeschool Q&A should expect to defend and explain those opinions. That is they way it works in the rest of the world. It is not unique to HS.

Answer 14

I didn't understand that either.  Obviously in the homeschool section you would expect to talk only about homeschooling.  

Now I am not one to get offended by those who are against homeschooling.  And I fully support their right to contribute their negative thoughts.  I don't feel the need to defend my decision, but I definitely CAN.  The statistics are on my side.

However, I would expect people in the homeschooling section of YA to either be seeking answers or have some type of knowledge or information to share about homeschooling.  If you don't, why waste time posting here?

YA is not a homeschoolers bulliten board, but I thought it was a place to exchange information about homeschooling.  Notice I used the word "information".  To me, statements like "Homeschooling is for losers!"  are not very informative.

The only other section I've visited is preschool, though.  I am new around here and still trying to figure things out.  I've only participated in moderated forums before, so maybe that's why I'm not used to the off topic remarks.  I find them really odd (and a bit ignorant).