Thoughts like these damage homeschoolers everywhere

Posted by Taz's Mom on May 7th, 2008 filed in Homeschool

Take a read through this blogger’s view on homeschooling as based on the 2 families that he/she has seen in action.

I must say, it’s sad that a person who dealt with only 2 families of thousands would make such sweeping statements. Not all homeschoolers are Christian families who base their teaching strategies on fear. Not all homeschoolers are holed up in their homes shunning the outside world.

Socialization has to be the word that I hate most being thrown at homeschoolers, because our children interact with the world on a daily basis as they would in normal society once traditional school is over. I have to say that I hope this person gets to know more families who homeschool so he/she can gain a more open perspective on how homeschool works for others.

Tags: against+homeschool

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9 Responses to “Thoughts like these damage homeschoolers everywhere”

grove street Says:
May 7th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
This article is based on socialization. I have read the many articles written about socializing a homeschooled student ..so it must be a touchy subject. Why such a concern with losing parental rights as in the website parentalrights.org or needing a defense group -HSLDA.org. Apparently there is a fear of losing your children. There is no structure or formality to homeschooling. Daily exposure to a group of peers to share experiencing with good and bad. I can’t see the positive outcome of doing such a thing to my child. It make you look like a snob - better than our educational system.
Taz's Mom Says:
May 7th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Many would not feel the need for organizations like these if it weren’t for people, like yourself, who do not understand the full dynamic of homeschooling. It was once the norm to teach your child at home, as there was no formal schooling system widely available to the public. Now that there is, a stigma has been attached to people who still do not feel that their child would fully benefit from the public school system. Even the school systems complain of not being able to fully devote their time and energy to making sure each child gets the proper education. It’s not conceit. Every family has a different reason for homeschooling. You are only taking into account 2 very narrow views of what homeschooling can look like. Every state has different laws. Every home has different ways of doing things. Some have a school-like environment at home. Some are relaxed. The proof is in the child. If they weren’t doing well in school at home environments, colleges would not be accepting homeschooled children in droves, with them meeting or excelling over their peers on a daily basis.

Many homeschoolers get to interact MORE with their peers than those in public school because they are always out and about, experiencing life instead of watching it from inside a closed environment. What you really need is to widen YOUR view so that you can see that homeschool is no different/better than public schools. We all have to make the choices that we feel are right for our children. I don’t run around bashing you for your choice to send your child to “crappy public schools”, so I don’t expect you to come and bash me for choosing the type of schooling that I feel is best for MY child.
grove street Says:
May 8th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I didn’t visit your site first and leave a comment bashing your views. You did and with a hyper link directly to my blog. This is my opinion and was meant to open a discussion that may change my view. You chose to project your views upon me - I would have never came to your site and questioned your beliefs. You should look in the mirror for you are the hypocrite.
Principled Discovery » Structure and learning in the homeschool environment Says:
May 9th, 2008 at 3:27 am
[…] Hat Tip: Eternallearning Academy […]
Margaret Says:
May 9th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Oh my word, Grove Street, you called homeschoolers elitist and fearful. That doesn’t sound like someone who wants to open a discussion!
Margaret Says:
May 9th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Taz’s Mom - my apologies for coming to your blog earlier and stopping just to comment on a comment.

Usually when people make sweeping generalizations I just have to laugh. But you are right; such attitudes can be harmful to homeschooling. I do think that overall people are becoming more educated about homeschooling and attitudes are more positive.
grovestreet Says:
May 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Margaret, you are wrong. It did open a discussion…including yourself, many people are visiting me and enlightning my views. Unfortunately, I have learning to use controversary to gain attention.
Taz's Mom Says:
May 9th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
You took that very literally. What I was saying was I haven’t said one word about you being a “snob” because you send your child to public school. I didn’t say anything about you feeling like your educational choices were superior to mine.

Your piece was hardly about socialization and more about the fact that you believe homeschoolers are paranoid people who are incapable of teaching their children correctly at home.

My question is this: Why are you so upset that people choose to educate their children at home? What are you so scared of?
Mrs. C Says:
May 9th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Thank you for posting this. I think any time we can get discussion going with people who are at least trying to learn about the subject that we could all benefit.

I’m going to have to check out some of your links!