Wait! Don't leave! I know this week's post isn't a delicious chocolate desert or a pretty pattern, but I think you might enjoy it.
See, I didn't write this for my blog (or else it would probably be a lot shorter!), but it's still about a topic I love: homeschooling.
So, if you're interested in homeschooling too, you might get something useful out of it. If that's the case, then enjoy! :)
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HOMESCHOOLING STEREOTYPES: WE SHOULD TALK
Let Me Introduce Myself
For
years, from fourth grade through high school, I was educated at home. Through
my years as a homeschooler, I encountered a variety of arguments against
homeschooling that took root in stereotypes and assumptions. These claims,
although mostly false, are often the mainstream way of viewing homeschooling.
We
homeschoolers are often viewed as hillbillies, extreme conservatives, or a
mixture of the two. True, there may be homeschoolers who hide from the world,
play the harp by candlelight and wear matching dresses. There may also be 'gator-wrestling,
Bayou-livin’ homeschoolers who don't wear shoes and build illegal moonshine distilleries.
But they're the exception.
Generally,
home education is a wonderful experience that provides a solid education,
appreciation of creativity, and exposure to the modern world and society. To
better inform people about the beneficial realities of homeschooling, we should
encourage discussions and open communication that will transform the way people
view home education.
What’s the Point?
The
issues I just mentioned may seem insignificant in light of wars, politics, the
economy and the all-too-recent near-catastrophe of Twinkies. But the issues
surrounding home education are incredibly important; they involve the next
generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and explorers who will shape the world
in which we live. Anyone concerned for the future of our nation should
participate in the discussion and understand the weight of homeschooling
stereotypes and assumptions.
Now,
to be clear, the purpose of this essay is not to claim that traditional
education is inherently wrong or that everyone must homeschool their children.
I acknowledge that there are parents who cannot, or will not, homeschool their
children for a multitude of understandable and acceptable reasons. But I don’t
want parents – or particularly their children - to miss the benefits of
homeschooling simply due a handful of stereotypes and a lack of communication.
A purpose of this essay is to promote a healthy discussion that informs people
about home education and the basic misunderstandings that surround it. I had an
incredibly positive interaction with homeschooling, and I want others to
experience that, too.
Where’s This Going?
Now
that you’re pumped to learn more about homeschooling, let me tell you about my
master plan. The topic of homeschooling contains a wide variety of concerns that
can, and should, be researched and debated in depth. Among those branches are
the issues of state regulation and parent's ability to teach. But, for the
purposes of this essay, I would like to set those important things aside to
focus on arguably the most relevant and impactful aspect of home education: the
homeschooled students themselves.
One
of the concerns about homeschooling children is how their present education
will affect them in the long run. Writing in the article “Disadvantages of
Homeschooling”, Karen Hollowell states, “homeschooling can have long-term
effects on children that are not positive.” She goes on to write about homeschooled
children’s inadequate socialization and struggle in college. Overall, she
boldly claims that the “disadvantages of homeschooling outweigh any benefits.”
Her view, which mirrors many people’s perspective, leads to the claim that
educating kiddos at home produces anti-social, under-educated members of
society who aren’t prepared for the real world. These arguments, however,
aren’t entirely true.
To
encourage further growth of the existing homeschool discussion, I would like to
address these claims individually, followed by a few more common concerns. Perhaps,
by further opening the door to communication, I can shed some light on the
falsities and truths surrounding homeschooling.
Socialization or Lack Thereof
Socialization
is arguably the most common and misunderstood issue surrounding home education.
A large majority of under-informed people assume that homeschooled children
will not be adequately socialized due to their education at home. From this
limited perspective, their assumption makes sense. According to Merriam-Webster,
the simple definition of homeschool
is “to teach your children at home instead of sending them to a school”. Going
by that definition alone, one could infer that homeschooled children are only educated in their house, meaning
that their in-school social life is limited to their immediate family. In
addition, homeschoolers are often compared to traditional school, where the
students spend hours every week near dozens of children their age. With that comparison
in mind, it may appear that homeschoolers are truly under-socialized.
But
the story doesn’t end there. In public school, children mostly learn to
interact within their grade, where they make friends with others close to their
age. But, as my mom/teacher likes to point out, people in the real world don’t only interact with people in their age
group. Instead, they socialize with an array of people who are older and
younger than themselves. Her view pairs nicely with Responsible Homeschooling’s
perspective in the article “Homeschooling & Socialization”:
“…many
homeschool parents and leaders argue that the socialization children receive in
school is unnatural and actually harmful, and that socialization is best gained
through life experiences that center around the family, and should include
interactions with those in a variety of age groups.”
If
both claims are true, as I feel they are, than it appears that homeschoolers
have the upper hand. Like my mom and Responsible Homeschooling mention,
socialization in public school doesn’t represent normal socialization that
takes place in the real-world. Homeschoolers, however, have the opportunity
spend less time in a school building and more time learning and applying real socialization skills.
Take,
for example, my experience. During my family’s time a homeschoolers, we often
had an open, flexible schedule that allowed us to participate in truly
well-rounded social activities. We went grocery shopping and made friends with
a butcher at Hyvee; my brother and I played Chinese checkers with an elderly
lady while my mom cleaned her house; I volunteered at VBS (Vacation Bible
School), where I helped young kids; and I learned to care for infants after my
youngest brother was born. Because I was homeschooled, I was allowed to have
those experiences and an abundance of others, where I learn to socialize with
different ages. Now, that’s not to say that publically schooled children can’t
have those experiences. But after spending “four hours a week on homework” and
“about 32.5 hours a week” (Swanbrow, Diane) in school, the time for such
activities is limited.
In
addition to socializing apart from school, many parents choose to participate
in a homeschool co-ops and homeschool enrichment programs, where children can
take classes together and learn important social skills. For several years, I took
a few classes with other kids my age, made friends, and learned to socialize.
When both those methods are combined, using extra time away from school to
socialize and joining homeschool co-ops, home educated children can even become
more socialized and well-rounded than their traditionally educated peers.
Transitioning Into College
A
less typical, yet perhaps more important, concern about homeschooled children
is their preparation for college. Some people worry that children’s experience
in the sheltered and unconventional methods of homeschooling will not translate
into secondary education and the world of academia. Why? Because homeschoolers who
never experience regular school schedules, a variety of teachers with differing
views, and difficult testing could be incredibly underprepared for the rigor of
college. Although the option of skipping college is available, often the most
productive members of our society are college graduates. If homeschoolers
cannot survive in college, how will they have the skills to positively impact
our world?
As
with socialization, the worry about college preparation is reasonable and
valid, but can be easily refuted. Adapting to a schedule, dealing with new
teachers, and learning to test on higher level are adjustments that every freshmen encounters. A home educated
person doesn’t “transition all that different from the public or private school
student.” as Regent University points out in the article “Five Things to Know
About the Transition from Homeschool to University”. Despite a person’s
educational background, be that traditional education or homeschooling,
students may still encounter a rough transition patch. Granted, traditionally
educated students may find the transition easier, after years of moving grades
and teachers. But they will still
have to transition from a relatively easy education to a more rigorous one.
An
advantage of a homeschooler’s transition to college was not acknowledged in the
formerly established argument. While a shift to new schedules, teachers, and
tests may be important, arguably the most valuable skill in college is the
ability to study and regulate tasks in a self-motivated manner. Dr. Brian D.
Ray, writing in “Homeschoolers on to College: What Research Shows Us”, remarks:
Research
and probability show that the home-educated college applicant is very likely to
succeed in college, both academically and socially. Consider that the
home-educated typically have strong self-discipline, motivation, and
self-initiative.
Unlike
traditional school, home educated students are often given the whole day to
complete their work. While I was homeschooled, I learned to balance my homework
with leisure activities. If the day was beautiful, I could set my books aside
and enjoy the weather. If I was falling behind, I could spend extra time doing
homework. By regulating much of my time early in my education, I was able to
develop the “self-discipline, motivation, and self-initiative” that Dr. Ray
mentioned.
Almost
needless to say, learning to organize time gives a beneficial advantage to
homeschooled students. After making statements similar to mine, Regent
University notes that homeschoolers “tend to study in more personal,
individualized ways than their private and public school peers.” Because many
homeschoolers are given an abundance of free time, they can learn to balance
their responsibilities and hours well before secondary education. By the time
they reach college, many homeschooled students have already learned the styles
and methods of balancing time that work best for themselves.
Because the transition into college
is relatively similar to traditionally schooled students, and homeschoolers
tend to learn time management at early age, thriving in college is a likely
possibility. Some may refute this claim by pointing to examples of under-educated
homeschoolers who drop out of college or barely scrape by. But are they the
normal ones? The answer is no. While there are certainly cases of former homeschoolers
failing in college, the same can be said for traditionally schooled students. Time
and time again, reports have found that homeschool students thrive in college.
In a study by Michael Cogan, and
reported by CBS, research found that home educated freshmen received a GPA of
3.37 while “other freshmen” received a 3.08 during their first semester.
Although the lead is small, it shows that homeschoolers have the ability to
succeed in college. By thriving in college, homeschoolers can graduate from
college and go on to make mark on society.
Others Concerns
Now
that I’ve discussed two main homeschooling stereotypes in depth, I would like
to address several more topics of concern. Although I won’t discuss them in as
much depth here, the issues are still important and should be properly
considered and weighed. I decided to organize each section with a hypothetical
quote from a curious, and oddly blunt, person. After each question, I’ll
analyze the issue and provide my perspective as a response.
“What about normal school?”
Be
it life-long friends, influential teachers, or exciting field trips, many
people can think back to their years in school with fond memories. In the same
way that I have wonderful homeschool memories and don’t want others to miss out
on similar experiences, these people have wonderful traditional school memories and worry that homeschoolers are
missing out. And honestly, this claim is true: even with the aforementioned
ability to make friends and socialize, home education can’t exactly replicate
the traditional school experience. However, I personally feel that homeschooling
makes up for that area with a plethora of more valuable experiences.
To understand my perspective better,
let me paint you a picture: on a typical fall day, I spent hours doing things I
loved. Sometimes I would work on school, but many times I would walk, swing,
read books, play with my stuffed animals, or write a song, poem, or story. I
wasn’t worried about catching the bus in time, the drama of my school friends,
trying to stay awake in class, or finishing an overwhelming amount of homework.
Instead, I developed a love for learning, creativity, exploration, and the
beauty of nature. If I had been in school, I wouldn’t have had as much time to
learn those things. But I did. And to this day, those values have a special
place in my heart. So to claim that I, or other homeschoolers, missed out on
the traditional educational experience doesn’t offend me; I’d much rather have
my experience than to trade it for a more “normal” one. And I’m sure many other
homeschoolers feel the same.
“Aren’t homeschoolers weird?”
In
addition to concerns about lack of socialization and preparation for college,
many people stereotype homeschooled children as being odd, misfits of society
who don't blend in. This perception is often due to our attire, acceptance of
alternative ideas and preferences, or a mixture of the two. Put another way, we
homeschoolers are seen as weirdos. Unlike before, when I disagreed with the
commonly held view, this time I agree in part: some homeschoolers are kind of
strange. Why? Because homeschooling itself is inherently strange; it differs
from the standard educational route. Through parent's influential view and the
structure of home education, homeschoolers are often allowed to form opinions
and be themselves openly.
Parents
who chose to educate their children at home approve of an uncommon method of
instruction and education. But the story doesn't end here. Joel Salatin,
writing in the foreword to "Born-Again Dirt" by Noah Sanders,
believes "the home-schooling movement spawned an entire awakening to
alternative ideas" (Salatin, Joel and Sanders, Noah xiv). As parents
accept home education, they often open themselves to a variety of other
alternative ideas. In turn, parents teach their children to value and accept
such ideas, which often translates into the lives of their homeschooled
children.
Also,
home education allows kiddos to discover passions and express traits that might
have otherwise been suppressed. Unlike children attending traditional school,
homeschoolers aren't as rigorously molded by their friend's opinions and ideas.
Even if they regularly socialize, the pressures to conform can be quite
limited. With an acceptance of different ideas and ability to grow their true
personality, homeschooled students are almost bound to go against the grain and
develop a few interesting traits along the way.
While
it's not fair to put every home educated student in the same oddball basket -
there are plenty of normal homeschooled children with typical interests and
personalities- being labeled weird isn't necessarily bad. What one person would
view as weird, another might view as unique. And in a world where children are
encouraged to be themselves and express individuality, unique personalities are
incredibly valuable.
“Will talking do anything?”
One
of the largest motivators behind this essay is to encourage a discussion that
will inform people about homeschooling. I’ve been working to address common
stereotypes and help people understand the joys of home education. By doing so,
I hope to participate in the conversation and encourage others to do the same.
However, after reading this far, some may have grown skeptical of my opinion.
They might feel that growing the homeschool discussion is pointless. After all,
will talking making an impact? We’ve been talking about homeschooling for
decades, and yet false stereotypes still exist. Will talking do anything
productive? Quite frankly, yes. But it might take awhile.
Think
about it: how many issues were resolved only after years of discussion and determination? Often, the major changes we
seek after do not happen instantly. On a recent episode of Freakonomics Radio,
host Stephen Dubner discussed incrementalism,
the idea that big changes happen through a series of smaller changes. He
believes that “we shouldn’t ignore the power of incrementalism” (Dubner,
Stephen). And he’s right: we shouldn’t avoid the benefits of an incrementalist
approach. So, although encouraging a homeschool discussion may seem small, when
it sings in harmony with thousands of other people, the impact becomes far more
noticeable and beneficial.
Conclusion
In
the large homeschooling conversation, what I've written is only the tip of the
iceberg, a drop in the bucket, and other clichés meaning "a small portion”.
But I’ve been working to share my perspective as best I can. While a conversation
currently exists, we should help it grow by diligently using our voices to
contribute to the discussion. If more people can become aware of the falsity in
homeschool stereotypes and understand the value of home education, perhaps the
common perspective of homeschooling will change. As I mentioned in my
introduction, I don't want anyone missing out on an amazing homeschool
experience due to a lacking conversation.
My
personal homeschooling experience showed me that, contrary to popular belief,
homeschoolers can be social members of society who are prepared for college.
Often, they love to be themselves, and celebrate the skills they learned while
other kids were in normal school. Julie Bogart, a former homeschool mother,
says, "I believe in homeschooling… it helps everybody become their best
selves. That's what I love about it.” And truly, there is something to love
about homeschooling: it equips children with the values and knowledge necessary
to thrive every single day and leave a positive impact on our world.
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Works Cited:
Bogart,
Julie. "55 Things I Did NOT Do as a Homeschooler [full
Length]." YouTube. YouTube,
08 June 2016. Web. 05 Nov. 2016.
Dubner, Stephen
J. "In Praise of Incrementalism." Freakonomics. Freakonomics, 26 Oct. 2016. Web. 08 Nov. 2016.
"Five
Things to Know About the Transition from Homeschool to University." Regent University. N.p., n.d. Web. 05
Nov. 2016.
Hollowell,
Karen. "Disadvantages of Homeschooling." EHow. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2016.
"Homeschooling
& Socialization." Coalition
for Responsible Home Education. N.p., 12 Mar. 2014. Web. 09 Oct. 2016.
Merriam-Webster.
Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2016.
O’Shaughnessy,
Lynn. "Can Homeschoolers Do Well in College?" CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 20 July 2010.
Web. 09 Oct. 2016.
Ray,
Brian D. "Homeschoolers on to College: What Research Shows Us." The Journal of College Admission (1977):
n. pag. 2004. Web. 09 Oct. 2016.
Salatin,
Joel, and Sanders, Noah. "Foreword." Foreword. Born-again Dirt: Farming to the Glory of
God. 2nd ed. N.p.: Rora Valley, 2013. xiv. Print.
Swanbrow,
Diane "U.S. Children and Teens Spend More Time on Academics." U.S. Children and Teens Spend More Time on
Academics. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.
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BRAVO! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! WAY T GO! TAKE A BOW! WELL DONE!
ReplyDelete*bow* Thanks! I'm glad you like it. :)
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