Homeschoolers: how do you feel about the lack of life skills learned in the schools today?

Question

When I graduated I could do extensive chemistry equasions but I didn't know how to bake a pie. (which by the way, I don't remember anything about chemistry now). I don't remember learning about money management, home skills, etc. So many people that I've found that are homeschools are so versed in so many different areas, and it seems like the schools today are so strict on just 'book-learning'. Has that had any impact on why you chose to home-school?

Answer 1

It has had a major impact on my decision to homeschool my kids. Yes, there are religious reasons, I do want my children to have a Bible based education, but I don't shun science or anything like that. God created science, so it makes sense to study it. And when you study science in light of a loving Creator, then it makes much more sense and my kids retain what they learn. About lifeskills. I really feel that those homeschool kids that are fortunate enough to have parents that teach these skills to their children are going to be leaders, hands down. Not all kids have that at home. I personally work very hard to make sure my children know how to take care of themselves. This does not mean I just ignore them and let them fend for themselves, but I do have them assist me in planning meals (focusing on nutrition and budget) shopping (price comparision and again nutrition) housecleaning, cooking, gardening...I have two very active children, so they sit at the table with me as we figure out the logistics of getting everyone to their rehearsals, activities and so on, and they know exactly how much money it costs for them to do the things they do and where that money comes from. My oldest watches as I balance our checkbook and pay bills, she cooks at least one night a week, and yes, she can bake an excellent apple pie. Homeschooling is not just about books, but we don't neglect the books either. I was an honor student and did quite well in school, and I want my children to have that too. My daughter wants to go to college, so we keep that in mind when we plan her year. She is above grade level because she has "on demand" tutoring in me. My kids are very well rounded, very social, and can adapt to a multitude of social situations. There are failures in every setting. And the person that said the bad is the easiest to remember is right. We do tend to focus on the bad, but there's a lot of outstanding, intellegent, competitive, well rounded, highly socialized homeschool students out there that are entering the work force, the colleges and everywhere else that are going to be the ones that set the standard. That's why I homeschool, I don't want my kids to be left in the dust. I want to know that my children can think for themselves, make informed decisions, and not just "follow" what's put in front of them. And I want to know that if they did come on hard times, they will know how to survive on something besides visa and mastercard.

Answer 2

I personally homeschool my four kids for many reasons. One is the lack of control in the classroom and the disarray, that seems to go on a daily basis. I also disagree with how the schools system is so caught up in testing, if you dont pass this test and learn these certain aspects you do not move onto the next grade. When I pulled my kids out of public school, they were ignorant when it came to the basis of grammar, but could tell you the beginning, middle, and end of any story. Their math skills were poor because they did not have to pass the math test till the next year, so they focused on reading and writing. How is that a well balanced education? I teach my kids many subjects, grammar, math, geography, science, history, art, and music just to name a few. We also cover subjects that they would never get in a public school, braille, sign language, volunteer work, and stuff like that. It takes effort to school your kids, but the pay off is worth it. I am not saying homeschooling is for everyone either. You can not get everything out of book, but you need to make sure you have a well rounded education for your children.

Answer 3

The main problem I have with public education is that the teachers have to spend at least half of every day telling the malbehaved kids to sit down, shut up and listen. I also think that the schools push "testing" too much. They spend a little too much time on getting ready for the test and not learning anything new. My children learn how to function around people by actually being AROUND people. Not just kids their own age and one adult ordering them around. They are encouraged to speak to all age groups. We are also teaching them life skills, such as balancing a check book, which one does not learn in school. I remember having home ec in 6th grade, but it wasn't offered in high school, which is a complete shame.

Answer 4

My four step-niece were in homeschooling and it did not help them at all. Those girls got into the real world and they were lost. One girl got pregnant and had a shot-gun wedding and another ran away from home and had bounced checks in her bank account. She was very close to going to prison. Another one of the girls is headed in the same direction because she likes talking back to everyone she sees. Go to public school like everyone else and learn how to live with people you normally do not want to be around. You cannot shelter yourself from the rest of the world your whole life. Another thing, when my brother and I were in public school we got financial aid and scholarships to college. I do not see any homeschoolers getting that. They have to pay an arm and a leg for school, and they have to go to community college first. You do not learn jack at homeschool expect how to study and some people do not even do that. What will happen when you get into college and get a real job? People who went to public school will know how to deal with stress and rude people. They will know how to work well with others. So, you are book smart, what will that matter when you have to work with thousands of people? I admit you need to be smart and have an education, but if you are not people smart then that can add to more complications.

Answer 5

I think it's incredible how the Public schools ignore the wants and needs of society.

Think of what's popular w/ the generation of adults who didn't get these skills:

Martha Stewart
Lynnette Jennings

Bob Villa
Norm Abrams
This Old House

Motorweek Illustrated

Extreme Makover Home Edition
While You Were Out

HGTV

etc...

People crave this stuff, and need it. But schools keep believing that they need to teach more "book learning". More ironically, they have gotten worse at teaching the book stuff as they spend more time on it.

Answer 6

Has it had an impact on WHY I chose to homeschool? No. Is it part of our homeschooling though? Yes. Schools are definitely book and test focused. Homeschoolers, for the most part--there are always exceptions to everything--do tend to be exposed to more real life skills.

Answer 7

When you go to school, you learn to live in the school environment. In school, your world is about your teachers, your textbook, your homework, your test, none of which has any real impact on your ability to function.

Outside of school, you live in the real world, which is the best preparation. The 'socialization' and 'learning about life' that goes on in schools is detached from actually living. What, instead of working on the Intrepid, I should read a book about the Intrepid?

That always pissed me off and I'm happy as a pig in crap now that I'm unschooled.

Sorry for the incoherence.

Answer 8

Admittedly I wasn't home-schooled, but I had a girlfriend who was. Home-schooling can be good for the reasons you suggest, but it assumes that the parents are knowledgeable and can function as good teachers. In the case of my ex-girlfriend, she was horribly ignorant in most fields. (Being able to cook didn't make up for that, and she resented her parents for crippling her education, which she had to make up for in college... which her parents didn't want her to attend.)

The other problem, which is common in rural, religious communities, and was definitely the case for my ex, is that parents selectively teach topics to their children, despite requirements to give a well-rounded education. For my ex, her parents shunned all science and most other basic topics and instead taught only religion (Christianity, specifically). Sadly, having come from the Midwest, nearly every home-schooled person I've met had the same experience.

When it comes to home-schooling verses public or private schools, the key question centers on the parents' motives. Personally, I'd home-school my children, but I feel that I'm knowledgeable enough to teach any and all academic topics. (The problem then becomes an issue of providing enough social interaction for the child.) But if a parent is only doing it to protect their children from non-Christian views, then they are crippling their children's education.

Answer 9

I Homeschooled my Daughter......She Graduated High School at 16 years old.......End of Story :o)