Homeschooling?

[Matymus]

G’day,

Actually I have no problem expanding on my position of home schooling. I chose the selection that I did because it was an option and I thought it may generate more discussion.

I come from a time and place where home schooling was almost impossible and hardly even a consideration. My father was a school teacher and I went through the public education system in Australia. I believe that the combination of the public education system and my parents efforts on the home front prepared me well for my future. Having said that, I don’t really have a position on home schooling.

I believe the system I went through exposed me to the good the bad and the ugly. I had good teachers and bad teachers and learnt from both. From the good I gained valuable academic knowledge, from the bad I learned that life isn’t always fair or easy but it did help me prepare for the workforce where I have encountered good and bad colleagues and bosses. Over my educational life I was exposed to and learnt to deal with racism, sexism, bullies and all sorts of discrimination, much the same as I have encountered during the time since I have finished school. At school I learnt about being part of teams, both good and bad, much the same as I have found in the workplace. All in all I think the public education system prepared we well. I also believe that my parents also prepared me well both academically and socially.

From that you will probably think that I am for public schooling and against home schooling but that isn’t really the case. I believe academically, home schooling, when done right, can have a lot of advantages over the public system, however I do believe that home schoolers miss out on some of the social learning. By this I don’t mean that they don’t socialize or have a social life, what I mean is they are often shielded against or have limited exposure to the worst aspects of our society. This may seem like a good thing, but it can leave one ill prepared for what life and the workplace can throw at them.

I don’t really believe that home schooling should be outlawed but then again I don’t really believe in any of the other options provided either. I would personally opt for a balance between the public system and home schooling. Life itself should be a balanced learning environment where we learn at every opportunity that is presented to us.

So in essence, I chose the option I did because I knew there were a number of home schoolers on this forum and knew it would get a reaction.

Regards

I appreciate your honest answer. You definitely make some valid points. I think, like with anything, you take the good and discard the bad. You kinda have to do that throughout life. I've heard people bring up the socialization factor so many times regarding homeschooling. Yeah, homeschoolers, if done right, definitely get amazing social experiences, but without being exposed to so much of the garbage that's not needed. Now, that CAN be bad, if the parents don't at least let them know & prepare them for what they will encounter when out on their own. Case in point, my sister's ex-boyfriend from YEARS ago. He was raised in a strong, christian family. He wasn't homeschooled, but he did go to christian schools growing up. He was so extremely sheltered growing up that once he graduated high school & was out on his own, he went crazy. He got into drugs, promiscuous sex, tons of partying, etc. He later told me that he had NO CLUE that the world would be as tempting as it was, etc. So, I've seen people in homeschool environments grow up completely sheltered. I don't think that's the answer...I definitely think that it needs to be 'controlled exposure'. Expose them, to a certain degree, to what's out there & what they will encounter on their own and prepare them to meet that challenge head-on WHEN THEY ARE READY. I don't think kids are ready at 8 yrs old to handle alot of what they're exposed to in the public school. They're just not. That's simply when they're indoctrinated with all the junk that the public school system deems worthy & necessary. It's really not. At least, in my view.

I definitely liked what you had to say...you definitely have an interesting perspective and outlook. So...thank you.