Replies to '11/24 Great School Debate'

Quote From: hawthornefae

There are alot of problems with this statement. For one, you are basing an entire thought on a small experience.  I see this happen all the time. Because someone knows one person who homeschools, they know how it ekes out for every family and individual. An example of this: a mother is nursing her one year old and is regaled with stories of the friend of a friend whose five year old would rip her shirt off in the grocery store. I don't see how one gets from point A to point B.

Secondly, 'sharply behind' is a very relative thing. The children may not meet the public school systems standards, but chances are they know a lot of things that kids in public/private schools miss out on. My niece at 2 years of age wanted to be a palentologist, she knew about a variety of species of animals by their scientific names, and used adult language. This was at an age that there was not a school that would have accepted her. As you can imagine, at 12 years of age, she is blowing many adults out of the water with her knowledge. Perhaps it would surprise you to know that she is homeschooled.

Thirdly, 'our society requires education', again, you have a very narrow view of education. Education does not have to include sitting behind a desk with a pencil in hand, especially for people like myself that are visual/spatial learners. Public school failed me miserably, causing defiance and making me into a social outcast. I could not survive in the vast ocean of students, knowing that my thoughts were of no value to anyone.

And the fourth issue here is the assumption that children who are 'unschooled' will not seek out the book learning that you are referring to. I don't know about you, but when I was a child, I would read through my family's encyclopedias on the weekends for FUN. The homeschooled and unschooled children that I know love to learn because that is the focus of their family life.

One of my six year old daughter's favorite subjects is anatomy, which isn't taught in first grade public school. If it weren't for my penchant for education, she wouldn't learn about blood vessels and white blood cells.

I fully support the right that every parent has to educate their child at home. I support it and I believe it in. And my daughter goes to school 3 blocks away from our house five mornings a week, where she deals with stress and trying to navigate a social climate that is already very complex. She comes home saying phrases that are not permitted in our home and I spend plenty of time back-peddling and trying to rebuild our values. It often feels like a waste.

I send her to public school only because she craves the stimulation of a busy environment, even though she is lost in it. I also send her because I'm not a strongly social person and would find it wearing to meet her social needs through homeschooling groups. In fact, education is the only reason that I don't have for sending her to school.

I'm just sick to death of all of the stereotypes that people choose to make about others, as IF they knew what happens in their home.

Quote From: hawthornefae

There are alot of problems with this statement. For one, you are basing an entire thought on a small experience.  I see this happen all the time. Because someone knows one person who homeschools, they know how it ekes out for every family and individual. An example of this: a mother is nursing her one year old and is regaled with stories of the friend of a friend whose five year old would rip her shirt off in the grocery store. I don't see how one gets from point A to point B.

Secondly, 'sharply behind' is a very relative thing. The children may not meet the public school systems standards, but chances are they know a lot of things that kids in public/private schools miss out on. My niece at 2 years of age wanted to be a palentologist, she knew about a variety of species of animals by their scientific names, and used adult language. This was at an age that there was not a school that would have accepted her. As you can imagine, at 12 years of age, she is blowing many adults out of the water with her knowledge. Perhaps it would surprise you to know that she is homeschooled.

Thirdly, 'our society requires education', again, you have a very narrow view of education. Education does not have to include sitting behind a desk with a pencil in hand, especially for people like myself that are visual/spatial learners. Public school failed me miserably, causing defiance and making me into a social outcast. I could not survive in the vast ocean of students, knowing that my thoughts were of no value to anyone.

And the fourth issue here is the assumption that children who are 'unschooled' will not seek out the book learning that you are referring to. I don't know about you, but when I was a child, I would read through my family's encyclopedias on the weekends for FUN. The homeschooled and unschooled children that I know love to learn because that is the focus of their family life.

One of my six year old daughter's favorite subjects is anatomy, which isn't taught in first grade public school. If it weren't for my penchant for education, she wouldn't learn about blood vessels and white blood cells.

I fully support the right that every parent has to educate their child at home. I support it and I believe it in. And my daughter goes to school 3 blocks away from our house five mornings a week, where she deals with stress and trying to navigate a social climate that is already very complex. She comes home saying phrases that are not permitted in our home and I spend plenty of time back-peddling and trying to rebuild our values. It often feels like a waste.

I send her to public school only because she craves the stimulation of a busy environment, even though she is lost in it. I also send her because I'm not a strongly social person and would find it wearing to meet her social needs through homeschooling groups. In fact, education is the only reason that I don't have for sending her to school.

I'm just sick to death of all of the stereotypes that people choose to make about others, as IF they knew what happens in their home.