Editorials & Other Articles
In reply to the discussion: Salon: Home-schooled and illiterate - for some kids it means isolation with little education [View all]Skelly
(238 posts)Those may be the consequences of one home schooling family, but I caution using such a broad brush. I home schooled all five of my children (from PreK - GED test). I used to think we sacrificed a lot (living on one income, owning older cars, older house, etc), until recently.
I look at my children now, all grown, some still in college, some having graduated and starting their own families. I realized those 'sacrifices' were nothing at all. Would they have succeeded academically if they had attended 'regular' school, yes. Would they be the same people they are today? Probably not. And I am proud of who they are today.
The thought of sending my 6 year old off to some place to spend the majority of her day with 30 other 6yr olds did not seem wise. We started there and took it one year at a time.
My children are as diverse in many ways (from religious beliefs to political involvement) but there is a constant among them. They are independent, critical thinkers. They love each other, their family and friends. They care about others and the world beyond their own backyard. They make a difference in the lives of everyone they meet.
When we started home schooling nearly 25 years ago, the only 'support' available was 'Christian' support groups. I never would have thought all these years later, 'home school' would still be synonymous with 'religious'. I know there are many families today that home school for reasons other than religion. I know there are many successful home schooled children (whatever the reason their parents had for choosing this option). A close friend of mine was very upset when I told her of our decision to home school. She was a 3rd grade teacher. She said she had never seen a child who was home schooled succeed. In fact, every one that came into her class was way behind their peers. Of course she hadn't! She taught 3rd grade. To have a former 'home schooler' in her class meant it did not work out for that family and they did the right thing by moving them into a more structured environment. Just because she did not see the 'successes' did not mean they were not there.
Our youngest son (he is 23) said something to his father and me this past summer that simultaneously gladdened and saddened my heart. Sitting on the front porch during a visit, he thanked us for his childhood. Unlike some of his friends, he never worried about when his next meal would come, or whether dad would be beating up mom tonight. He never had to wonder if he was loved or important to someone. He said he just really wanted us to know how much he appreciated all we had done.
I am not naive. I know home schooling does not work for everyone. I know it can hide a neglectful or abusive situation. While we may only hear about the horror stories, there are thousands of other stories, successful ones, that we never hear. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.