What is your views on home schooling?

Question

It seems like every time you turn around something bad is happening at schools in our town or by our schools. Today we just got a call from the district office saying that a man was stalking a High School girl about a block from the school. She was on her way to school when this happened. About 3 or 4 months ago, some man tried to get a boy to get into his car. That is so scary. We live in a very small town too. I was wondering what your views are on homeschooling, if you are homeschooling your children, or know someone who is. Do you think it is a wise decision or do you think they miss out socially? Are they getting a proper education, or even better than a public school education? Please let me know your views on this. Thanks!

Answer 1

The number one question people have about homeschooling is: what about socialization.  We call it the "S" question.

Homeschool kids have much greater opportunities to develop mature social skills out in the real world - where homeshcooling takes place - than in a classroom with a group of kids separated by age, ability and social class.  See the link below for more information.

Answer 2

I do think it's a wise decision to homeschool if the parents are willing to put in what they need to for their kids to be successful. If they miss out socially, it's only because of parents who do not make sure to have their children's social needs met. If they don't get as good of an education as public school, again, it rests on the parents' shoulders.

Homeschooling is taking full responsibility for raising and educating your children. They will get a proper education if you provide it. They will get great social skills if you provide the means.

Answer 3

I have the luxury of looking over the answers to this question well after the question was asked. I tend to agree with Joe. I see he got 8 thumbs down, but when you agree you agree.

I grew up in a very sub-urban town. The town still has zero pizza delivery, side walks, etc. I knew kids who were home schooled and they all ended up on the odd side of what seems to be normal to the standards of this society. Socially, they were awkward growing up. I still occasionally see the oldest because he is a carpenter who works with a friend. He is still bazarr.

Also, behind closed doors of your home, you are taught alot more than people would think. Home schoolers are often taught false science and history. When you want to control what someone learns or thinks, you change things to your liking. Without much of any outside barometer, these "teachers" can influence every direction of the learners life. In order to learn true acceptance you need diversity. Something these kids seem to lack.

I could probably go on and on. I've had this debate before. Weirdos exist. They lurk in schools, at malls, even in churches. You can do all you can to protect your children, but life will eventually find them. Let them be prepared.

Answer 4

My first child attended public school for a few years before I saw a serious enough problem to make a drastic change. I researched private schools and either content or cost stopped me from going that route and deciding to do it myself. I have been homeschooling now for several years. My state has courses on educating parents on the subject of homeschooling and its laws. There are also public school resource classes here as well which my kids attend for socialization and enjoyment, like chess and drama. There are also books on every teaching style or philosophy you might have to adapt your curriculum to your personal beliefs. With a background in early childhood and education, homeschooling is a great alternative for quality.

Answer 5

Small towns are not immune to todays violence, or perverts. But are statistically less likely to have those problems. In most small towns a stranger sticks out like a sore thumb. Gossip makes people keep an eye on the suspected problems. Home schooling, if your parents are willing or able, is an alternative, but wont necessarily keep you safe, and you will miss the whole high school experience they are so proud of.  If you do not have custody issues, you are about 80% less likely to be abducted. Dont live in fear of what you see on the news. Bad news sells, good news is overlooked. The world isn't as bad as they make it look on TV.  Since 9/11, schools take precautions that are often overkill. Law suits and insurance make it a requirement. They have to respond to every possibility.  Kids can even call a threat in if they want a day off from school.  (hopefully they will get caught, eventually)

Public schools are what your district makes of them.  Some surpass the national norm. Others are a glorified babysitting facility. If you feel you are getting an education, (bad teachers not withstanding, every school has one or two) hang in there. If you arent learning anything, or the system is stacked against you. Explain it to your parents, alternatives are available.

Answer 6

I understand the concept of people wanting to protect their kids by homeschooling, but I see two very definite negatives in doing so:  1) I think they miss out very much on extracurricular activities and on social occasions; and 2) I think a parent must be very self-disciplined to keep up with making sure they are following the guidelines and make sure that their kids do the work each day.  For myself, I know that I don't have the self-discipline (i.e. if my son woke up one morning and said, "Mommy, I promise I will work harder tomorrow, can we play outside today?", I would probably give in, just because I am a procrastinator!!!  I could not home school my son, but I know a lot of folks around where I live who have a home schooling group to take field trips together and such, so they are really into it.  Whatever....

Answer 7

I am actually homeschooled. I love it when I was in 9th grade and in public school I was bad at Science and Math. Then my mom pulled me out and I learned easier at home than at school. The only problem with home schooling is that some kids dont get to see friends and then they become isolated from everyone. I love it though (being homeschooled not isolated lol). Hope I helped.

Answer 8

There are pros and cons. But social interaction and the issues involved in going to school (with other kids) are pretty important steps in the development of a child into an adult. I hate to stereotype or generalize, but I know 5 or 6 people who were home schooled (adults now) and they are pretty weird people.

Answer 9

First of all, most of the students that I know who are homeschooled end up there because they didn't get their way every time in school or got in trouble and parents didn't want to deal with it. That's the wrong reason to do it. Second, don't think that homeschooling a child will keep it safe from predators. Unless you plan to never let your child out of your site, the child is at risk. If the schooling done properly, homeschooling can be a good thing in some ways. In my experience, the socialization is an issue. We do have problems with public schools, but those problems go right on into college, the work force, and the real world. It's better to let young people learn to deal with them than to shield them from them. There are no organized sports, bands, or any clubs other than 4-H outside of the school system here, but kids need to be involved in as many activities with other people their age as possible. Also, I know a lot of intelligent people, but finding a parent who has more knowledge than a system full of teachers, counselors, and experienced administrators is hard. It never fails, the parents here who get mad and want to homeschool their children can't handle the curriculum, and the kids come back worse than before and are further behind. Also, if they were issued a punishement and were pulled out of the system, when they come back, they still have to serve that punishment. So, now ho is punished in that situation? The student is twice, the punishment they got in the first place, and then having to try and play catch up mentally and socially with their peers.

Answer 10

I went to public school until my sophomore year of high school and them I got home schooled. I really enjoyed it. You get as much of an education as anyone I know at a public school. I am entering medical school next fall, so I feel that I did well in school and still do.

Answer 11

Home schooling is a lot like training a horse,it'll only work if you know a whole lot more than your pupil.

I have seen home schooling used as a brilliant excuse to exclude children from the mainstream and reinforce dangerous ideological views....This would be my main irk against it....

Answer 12

homeschooling seems like a safer decision, but on the other hand, they are missing out on all the social influence they will get  in a public environment (ie, making new friends). perhaps it would be better to create some sort of a neighborhood watch system to have more protection for the kids. also, create more security at the schools. you said you live in a small town so this may help the problem of strangers walking the streets.

Answer 13

I think homeschooling is great because it allows for more opportunities in life outside of the classroom.

Of course that is all negated in you are homeschooling to protect your children from the evils of society.  

Sure, there are perverts in small towns, big towns and all in between.  And there always have been, homeschooling isn't going to change that.  

There are more opportunities for socializing with a more diverse population in you homeschool.  That is one of the benefits to making your own schedule.  

Definitely, it can be a better education than government schools.  If could be worse to, but that's not common amongst the homeschoolers I know.

:D

Answer 14

I think it is somewhat safer to be homeschooled. You don't have to worry about school shootings and things like that. If you live someplace where it snows and whatnot, you don't have to worry about getting out and about in the nasty weather. You can make up your own schedule, you can wear what you want. You don't have to worry about impressing the other kids, things like that. You don't have to eat yucky school food :P You can study and learn about any topic you choose.

But at the same time....

Where do you develop social skills? I don't know for sure, but it seems like it would be even more expensive for your parents to have to buy all of these books to teach you everything.

Answer 15

There is no social problem with homeschooling.  This is just a myth!  If you look up your state and homeschool groups you will find a lot.  Even if they aren't on the Internet they are out there.  There are so many sport's oppertunity's, community voulenteering, get together's with friends, younger, older and same age.  

I don't homeschool my children just for safty issues all though that is part of it but because in the end they are able to learn more at home (more in depth studies) in a shorter amount of time and able to be more social then they would if they were in a traditional school.  I have many other reasons why we homeschool our boy's but those are just a couple.

Answer 16

I love homeschooling. I am an ardent supporter. I homeschool and know many other homeschoolers. For many families it is the best educational option and choice of lifestyle they can make. For those families, homeschool is nothing short of a blessing.

    However, I do not think that situation with the stalker could be considered school related. Women, boys and girls should be safe to walk down the street, regardless of where they are headed. Schools draw predators because that is where the kids are. Libraries are dangerous for that reason too. So are parks, malls and other places kids like to go. As homeschoolers, we go to those places too. Our kids like to hang out and do normal kid things. When they do, they are vulnerable. I try to always be close and my daughter often has a cell phone when she is out of my sight, but life has no guarantees. While I agree that homeschool is somewhat safer than public school, it is not a bubble. Homes are in communities and communities are in the greater world. My advice is to arm your kids with information. Get to know your neighbors. Call the police if you see anything suspicious and get your entire town involved in making your streets safe again. The public schools cannot do that. They need to focus on what goes on inside their walls.  The rest is up to parents and citizens.

EDIT:

Joe, I know more than 5 or 6 public schooled people that I consider "weird". What does that prove? Meanwhile, socialization is not an important part of public school. It is an important part of life. It happens in the house, on the street, at Girl Scouts, in the mall, etc.

Joy L, you are right that homeschooling is not for every family in every situation. But it isn't as hard as you think. When my daughter wants to have a day off now and work an extra day next week, she does. She also gets up a couple hours early if she wants out early to do something with her friends. She knows she is accountable and I know I can trust her. If I could not, I would not. She had to earn that trust. You should also know that HS kids don’t necessarily miss out on anything you mentioned. Why would they? It is an “extra curricular”, Joy. It happens outside the classroom anyway. Social occasions? You mean like parties, fairs, sleepovers and dances? My kid has been to all of those things.

Regress: You don’t think HS kids are ever in a “public environment”?  You don’t think they ever meet new people or make new friends? Why do you assume that? How would that even be possible? My kid made a new friend this week. His name is Brandon. She is in public every time we leave the house. Give it some thought. I’m sure you’ll see that public school is not necessary for these experiences.

Answer 17

I home school and home schooling is a very wise decision. There is a big socialization myth which is not true. Socialization is actually better in the home schooling system. They are getting a better education than other public schooled kids. If you are really concerned about socialization you should join a local home school group.