TheHolisticParent.ORG Criticisms of Home Schooling

                                          Criticisms of Homeschooling

I would like to address two main homeschooling criticisms. I’m sure people will be able
to find more than just two. However, I find these two to be the most legitimate and most
widespread; therefore, we’ll cover these.

1)        Socialization
Where did the little myth come from that homeschooled children lose out on important
socialization? This myth is easy to dispel. Now, it could hold water if a child was locked
in a room all day with no interaction with anyone, but this is abuse, not homeschooling.
Homeschooling families do not operate this way! The truth is that you have been
socializing your children since they were born. You have taught them right and wrong,
how to play nicely, how to behave in public areas, how to speak kindly, etc. I feel this
criticism of homeschooling is legitimate because it stems from true concern, but more
accurately could be termed a concern of isolation than socialization. How do children
not around same age peers all day starve off isolation? Interestingly, there are a lot of
activities for homeschooling kids to be involved in. There are homeschooling groups,
co-ops, sports teams, field trips, and the like. In reality, children can become at risk of
being isolated even if they go to school with hundreds of other children.

Well, what if the issue really is about socialization and not isolation? Socialization is the
process of learning one’s own culture and where they fit into it. It is certainly possible for
parents to teach, demonstrate, and make available this process. Many homeschooling
parents find it of great importance for their children to be exposed to the ideals within
their particular family than to the common brainwashing that goes on in schools. I
personally would not want my young child to gain their “socialization” solely from their
peer group. Children can pick up nasty habits from other children. It is important to
counteract that in the home even if your children attend a typical school. I want my
children to learn to think for themselves, be able to reason, and decide what they
believe in. It’s also typically found that children who are homeschooled are superior in
their skills of talking and relating to people of all sorts. If that’s not socialization, I don’t
know what it.

2)        Parents as Teachers
There are several issues here. The first issue is minor and that is the belief it is not
practical for the parent to be both a parent and a teacher. People fret over issues of
children not respecting their parents; therefore, they won’t learn well. Some people feel
it is too impractical for parents to assume both roles. I feel this thinking is a bit strange.
Parents have been teaching their children since they were born. I do agree if there are
questions, though, of who has authority in the household, this will need to be
addressed before homeschooling can be successful. If you have issues with getting
your children to listen to you or take you seriously, homeschooling is going to be much
more difficult. This is an issue that will need to be solved irregardless of if you
homeschool or not.

The second issue can seemingly be legitimate at first. Some people feel that many
parents are not smart enough to homeschool their children. This sure says a lot for our
public education system. I would agree that if you cannot tie your shoes or function as
an adult, then yes, your children would probably be better off at “school”. However, you
don’t have to hold a college degree, be a genius, or know everything to homeschool
your children. All you need is the ability to find the answers to your children’s questions
or where to get help if you need it. There are curriculum programs out there that can
mimic school, where children take tests, learn according to grade level, and receive
tutoring if needed. I would say we can safely move on.

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