Where in the "real world" are you segregated by age and test scores? Where in the "real world" are you forced to 'live' with harrassment (bullying)? When in the "real world" have you been invited to a dance? Where in the "real world" are you forced to deal with violence, sex, and drugs on a regular basis? Isn't the "real world" the place where you CHOOSE your job, your friends, how you spend your time, what you study?
Is it possible homeschoolers are BETTER prepared for the "real world" because they interact with it on a daily basis?
2006-09-25 14:51:05 · 14 answers · asked by homeschoolmom 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Home Schooling
You are so right!! It amazes me how many people think that if a child learns at home it means they have zero interaction with the world. Why do people think high school is the be all end all of social interaction?
My children are home schooled and are very active in sports. We leave the house daily. It isn't as if they're locked in a room and never get out. In fact, my children are out in the world MORE than kids who are stuck in a school building for 8 hours a day.
I think you're right that they are better prepared. They have friends of all ages--not just their own. I mean how many of your current friends were born the exact same year as you? My kids are with me when I shop and I involve them. They understand the concept of money and they interact with the cashier. I volunteer at a local store once a week and my kids work there with me. They get to assist the customers and help me with basic things within the store. We've been discussing harvest and so we've been out visiting farms and talking to farmers. We recently went to an apple orchard to pick apples. My kids see me interact with the world and they are learning.
For some reason people think you MUST go to high school to learn anything about socializing. This is just a ridiculous concept. I've started to think that many parents don't care at all if their children learn anything as long as they learn to socialize. And the socializing that goes on in high school does not prepare you for the real world. The prom queen is shocked when after high school her looks will no longer get her by. Or the jock is surprised to find that no one cares how many touch downs he scored his junior year. He was a celebrity in school. In the real world he is a nobody.
I was involved in a lot of sports in high school. I was somewhat popular. I socialized. I experienced the usual drama. Not one bit of it makes any difference today. I went to prom. So what. My husband never went to his prom and he doesn't feel like he missed out on anything. That was one of the first things my dad said, "But what about prom?" Huh? So, I should sacrifice a better education so they can attend a dance? My dad was the big sports star when he was in school so he was concerned about the sports. Again, where does that take you after school? If you're lucky you get a scholarship. But there are plenty of community teams children can join. They don't need to play for the school.
When I tell people I home school I'm always asked: "how do they make friends?" "what about sports?" "what about school dances?" "how will they find a date?" I find it interesting that not one person actually questions the quality of their education. In fact, academics never comes up. Weird, don't you think?
2006-09-25 17:08:00 · answer #1 · answered by Amelia 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'd like to see a true definition of the Real World. (LOL --- every person will have a different description of what it means!!)
As far as I know we are all in this real world together.
Is it the common perception that the real world begins when you are done with 12th grade?
So, real life in the real world isn't about weighing 6 pounds and sleeping in a cradle? My newest little grandbaby is the real'est thing -- she definitely ain't no plastic dolly!!!! Her world is very real. It is the same world in which 2 yr bro' and 1 yr sis' are living -- and they are very real too.
The real world for my 23 yr son is just like everyone else in the work-place. He gets up in the morning, hits the road and supervises his crew --- he brings home a paycheck. This has never been a problem. He is a great communicator with his boss, his customers, his work-crew, his wife, his children, the bank employees, the grocery store workers... everywhere that he goes he is living, breathing, working and playing in the real world. Hmmmmm.... get this ----- he was homeschooled from K through 12.
The REAL WORLD is not something that we are waiting to find. It is here right now. It is all about today. Everything that we do, say, and see IS in fact the real world. Home-school is indeed our real world. It is a super way to live and to learn.
Learning should be for a life-time -- not just in a "pretend" manner for 12 years. Learning is not something that stops just because you graduate. Learning goes on every day -- every new thing you hear or see is a lesson learned.
Home school does not need to be a strange unknown phantom'ous "idea" that is the subject of constant debate.
Home school is a very real, workable, fun, and productive avenue of education.
2006-09-25 23:43:33 · answer #2 · answered by Barb 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK, so public school is not the real world....homeschoolers get to go out places, interact with people all over (yes many homeschoolers take their kids on eductional trips across the USA and even overseas), go to museums, zoos, business places, almost on a daily basis (when I was in public school we went to one museum once a year if we were at all lucky!), interact with people of all ages not just their own age. No sex, drugs or violence in those situations, that's for sure.
Yep the homeschoolers are definitely better prepared for the real world.
2006-09-26 00:00:26 · answer #3 · answered by daryavaush 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First off, hats off to Amelia...DITTO from me on everything that you said especially what you said regarding the prom queen and football star. You're right, they are 'nobody's' in the real world.
Now to the questions...Nowhere in the real world are people segregated by age and test scores BUT Hitler sure loved the idea. Nowhere in the real world are you forced to live with harrassment and/or bullying. People deal with harrasser's in the real world by turning them in. In the real world though people do get invited to go out dancing, at clubs of course.
People aren't forced to have to deal with sex and violence in the world outside school but many do not have any option to leave due to their job or lack of funds, so many people do end up having to adapt to their environment. However, I was born and raised in an all white community with a population of 1200 and when I left and joined the military and was stationed in Norfolk, VA ...what a complete shock. My public education didn't do one thing to prepare me for that, but you know what...I made it there just fine. I grew up with one stop light and lets just say that Norfolk has more than one stop light and the traffic was atrocious. Crime was minimal in my town, marijuana was the biggest offense along with drunk drivers. And only once in my 18 years of growing up in a little town, only one murder took place. In Norfolk, police cars were going all the time, numerous murders, robberies, etc. I was blown away but I adjusted just fine despite lack of preparation.
Lastly, the real world is a place with choices and when people are limited in making choices they adapt...just like humankind has done for thousands of years. I had a thought about socialization this morning. When anti-homeschoolers use the word 'socially inept' to describe homeschoolers what they really mean is 'socially inept for SCHOOL' and that isn't surpising. I mean, that is a very new environment for many homeschoolers but I doubt that most stay that way, maybe some do but certainly not all. Besides, many schooled children (not all) are "real world inept", they don't know how to interact with people outside their peer group.
2006-09-26 07:39:32 · answer #4 · answered by FreeThinker 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ironically, public schools were usually distinguished from the "real world" for just the reasons you cite. It wasn't until homeschooling came along that this did a 180. It's Orwellian in many ways.
But, you're absolutely right. Public schools don't reflect most of the rest of the world, and it's no coincidence that many teachers have an agenda they hope to push on students...one that doesn't work in the real world.
Homeschoolers are FAR more prepared for the real world...they learn to cook, shop, do other chores, and tie that in w/ their studies.
This has important practical aspects, but from an educational standpoint it has dramatically benefical consequences: by tying together many activities and disciplines, homeschoolers are making connections (both in thought and neurologically) that propel them far ahead in learning. They will be able to think better and more comprehensively, they will be able to achieve more than people who have their learning "compartmentalized".
2006-09-26 10:46:32 · answer #5 · answered by Iridium190 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If that's the "real world" then it's some nasty place to be in. No thanks for me or my kids. I survived school but over the years the education system is deteriorating and corrupting, just like the "real world" you speak of. I think the more values we instill in them when they are young and "moldable" the better. School hold no real morals and values anymore. Instead of telling kids not to have sex, they give away free condoms to promote "safe sex". What's that all about?? Too much is tolerated this day and age (and I'm only 24 years old myself!)
For parents who really care for the well being of their child, they have come up with a great alternative. I think homeschooling is the best way to go to protect them from this so-called "real world" and really prepare them to make their OWN WORLD! Our kids need to be strong leaders with values that will motivate others. Our kids need not be followers of the "real worlders".
2006-09-25 22:43:16 · answer #6 · answered by down2earthsmiles 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I don't understand it either. They also harp on 'socialization' as if school is all about positive socialization. I just tell them we have friends, church,volunteer tasks, and Boy Scouts to socialize. That and I am not trying to raise socialists. I home school my sons and I believe they are being far better prepared for the "real world" because of this.
2006-09-25 22:31:52 · answer #7 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
you are so right. and if you want proof that homeschool kids are better prepared for real life and they actually have their act together, then check out "thepinkbo..."
Every time she answers a question it is well thought out, articulate, right on topic, and, well, so "real world."
Hats off to her and her parents for a job well done.
the cool thing about that? She's not the exception to the rule, she's a good example of what so many homeschool kids are like.
2006-09-25 22:22:59 · answer #8 · answered by Terri 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The real world is fierce and the public I went to was terrible. So I guess if you need to know how to deal with crazy people every day, send you kids to public school.
2006-09-25 23:02:14 · answer #9 · answered by MarshaMarsha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are so right! no one has ever really gotten the whole point,and you just did.we home schoolers spend more time in the actual real world then public school kids ever do until they graduate.thank you so much for finally asking the question that I have been dying to ask for like ever!!!!!!!!! if people even thought like this about home schooling,they might rethink they're options about home schooling.I am 14 and home schooled,and me and my friends spend more time in the real world then any public school kids ever do.again,THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-09-25 22:04:46 · answer #10 · answered by thepinkbookworm 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋