Opinions? I can speak on the topic from both personal experiance (I was homeschooled until I began going to the University) and from research (in the University, I wrote a research paper on homeschooling). Before responding, consider some of the relevant facts. -> Homeschooling has doubled from 1994 to 1999, and is continuing to grow at an ever-increasing rate. -> Homeschooled children are often accepted at prestigous institutions (Harvard, MIT, etc...), sometimes at greater rates than non-homeschooled children (made-up example: 90% of homeschoolers who apply may get in while only 70% percent of kids who went to public-schools may get in.) Also, homeschoolers often have an easier time adjusting to college life & study-habits, making them successful students. -> Homeschoolers tend to score considerably above average on standardized tests. -> Homeschooling is becoming easier to do with the advent of the internet. -> Homeschooling families are moving away from the sterotype "religious" families -- more and more people are doing it for academic reaasons -- to give their children a better education. ~Caleb
You'll find no objections from me I would, however, like to note--anecdotally--that it is my consistent experience in life that home-schooled children are socially underdeveloped. Some of the brightest minds I've known have done some of the stupidest things in history attempting to "fit in" because they didn't go through the same processes at the same time as everyone else. This may be a minor concern, or even something to consider from the point of view that the social standards in the US are twisted and evil, but it has, in my life experience, resulted in a few personal troubles, including the forfeiture of that education to motherhood at age 17 and an abusive husband, in one case. But, as you noted, homeschooling is becoming more popular in non-religious settings; whether or not it will be subject to the same social difficulties is ... well, to be determined. I would also like to point out the faults of homeschooling explained to me by my friends in the SDA organization: some of them were homeschooled, and subject to severe amounts of propaganda. Without blaming the religion specifically, this is always my worry about homeschooling, as I've seen it happen before. But we cannot doubt the test scores of the home-schooled; nor, however, can I doubt the inability of many of those to work and play well with others in their adult lives. It's about as difficult an issue as socialization and factual veracity in any school setting; we can only hope the benefits of the home will pay off in the long run. thanx, Tiassa Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I've seen more social harm among me and my friends who went through the public school system (heck, I'm still going to a public university). Maybe social underdevelopment is the less hardened view towards other people. You tend to get tough in a public school, and deal with a bunch of harsh, immature kids who I would describe as more underdeveloped than the homeschoolers I know. Yet this is more anecdotal evidence from a guy who would have rather skipped the whole school atmosphere entirely.
Actually... To claim that homeschoolers lack socializtion really is quite ridiculous. Children will always find a way to get just as much scialization as they need. There are neighborhood children, community centers, various local clubs and interest groups ranging from athletics to music to zoology. Not to mention homeschooling groups that pool resources and creat friendships between members. And for those homeschoolers who <i>do</i> have religious reasons, there is always a youth group at church to be involved in. Also, many homeschooling families enroll their child in one class at a local school or community college. In short, homeschooled children will be able to select their own social growth pattern, just as they select their own academic growth pattern. In the process, not only will they become socialized, but they will learn to socialize with more groups than just their own peers. They will learn to adapt to new situations, and, since socialization is voluntary, they will learn more about themselves --what kind of social group do they prefer -- as opposed to having it forced down their throat, so to speak, as happens at a public school. What they <i>don't</i> get is all of the social "garbage" that is so rampant at schools today -- foul langague, gang-violence, drugs, smoking, drinking, premarital sex, and teen pregnancies, just to name a few. But then these are things a child can do without anyway. If public school was a movie, it would be rated <b>R</b>. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! ~Caleb
Re: You'll find no objections from me *Originally posted by tiassa ...home-schooled children are socially underdeveloped. Some of the brightest minds I've known have done some of the stupidest things in history attempting to "fit in" because they didn't go through the same processes at the same time as everyone else. This may be a minor concern, or even something to consider from the point of view that the social standards in the US are twisted and evil, but it has, in my life experience, resulted in a few personal troubles...* You may be doing some more of your established pattern of completely missing the point. Homeschooling is increasing; crime is decreasing. Some would think that the social development of home-schooled kids is just fine. You on the other hand, see the attendant decrease in crime as a potential problem. Hmm. *we can only hope the benefits of the home will pay off in the long run.* Seeing as the "home" is such a recent invention, we can only "hope."
LOL! Actually, don't forget about people such as Abraham Lincoln who were homeschooled. And that's just one example. If I had a book from the library, I could type out a whole list of names of great people who were home-educated. I think even Issac Newton was homeschooled (at least untill he went to a University), but I'm not positive on that fact. I only know that there a whole list of famous names. So, yes, let's continue to hope... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! ~Caleb
