what are the benefits/ set backs of homeschooling?

Answer 1

The benefits....growing together as a family and FREEDOM! Those are the biggest benefits for me and my family. The freedom to learn as we see fit, the freedom to learn and explore what we FEEL like learning and exploring, the freedom to spend all day at the beach regardless of whether or not we are some type of schoolish "vacation".

Who needs recess when you can go outside all day, swim in your pool, walk, run, go to the park, etc. for much longer than at school?

As far as friends, home educated children make them in their neighborhoods, extra curricular activities, and groups.

As far as team effort...um, a family IS a team and how silly for anyone to try and say that school is the only place where "team" work happens, what a crock. When siblings work on something together or a child works with their parent on something that IS team work, and when home educated children get with their friends and do projects or are on a sports team...that IS teamwork.

Socially? I love the socializing that happens via home education and that is another awesome benefit of home schooling. You are not stuck in an artificial setting with 30 peers 5 days a week, ONLY in school settings does that happen. Outside of school people of all ages intermingle and socialize and converse with one another, share their knowledge, etc. Even in a stuffy ole office building you more than likely will not find people of all the same age working together. You can meet interesting people in your community, at the library, stores, at the Bus Stop, volunteering, etc...so awesome. The world is so much bigger than the classroom, and how many people do you "meet" in school anyway? Unless there is a new child or you are a new student you've already made a decision as to who you are going to hang with. That is why many home schoolers are seen as odd, it really isn't an issue, so they aren't used to the situation and it is new and uncomfortable, so what? Most fit in after awhile, same as a small town boy/girl making the move to the big city...some only take a bit of time to adjust, some may take longer but eventually you begin to feel comfortable and fit in.

Setbacks? They may not know how to raise their hand to ask how to go potty...oh, but that doesn't happen outside of school, except perhaps in the military. Standing in line? Nope, they do just fine, as many are accustomed to standing in line at the store, bank, movies, etc. with their parents. Taking instructions from other adults? Most home educated children I know do something outside of the home that requires taking directions from other adults so no, they are fine there too.

Ignorant people making bias and rash judgements on a group of people who are different than them...that is the biggest setback. Having to defend your reasons for home educating to a bunch of ignorant people making generalizations based on opinions only or perhaps a couple of bad run ins.

Sometimes we get under each others skin, but that is normal for most families. Sometimes it is hard to think of new and fun things to do and be creative. However, I certainly wouldn't call those setbacks.

Answer 2

I don't see any setbacks to homeschooling. It is just a way of life of life for us.
1) Freedoms that you do not get in school
2) Meet people of all races and ages and learn to socialize with more than just kids her age( besides they dont' have much time to socialize in school because they are too busy trying to cram all these academics down their throats in such a short period of time and even the socialization that they do get is awful most of the time)
3) Learning at her own pace and learning things that she is interested in
4) Comfort of the home setting.

Anything that is said negative about homeschooling is because they are not educated on the truths of homeschooling.

Answer 3

It's hard to give a cut and dry answer. You can learn a lot faster at home, but students can also fall way behind. Social interaction of school is important - learning how to function in society - but, that can be compensated for with a lot of effort to get kids involved with extracirricular activities and homeschooling groups. Universities are much more scrutinizing of grades. Competition in athletics is also quite limited if that's something the student wants. I homeschooled my daughter for kindergarten one year early because she was ready. She was pretty interested in trying out school, so I had her assess. She was to be placed in first grade, but she wanted to do kindergarten. I don't regret it. I still spend a lot of time teaching her and keeping her academically challenged (she's testing 1 & 2 grades higher and could skip if she wanted). She likes the social interaction, and it's easier on me compared to homeschooling.

Answer 4

I see that some people have said that homeschooling produces social misfits or social recluses. That is far from the truth. If it is done right, the child will have many group projects and good friends.

By the way, going to public school isn't always good socialization either. I went to public school and I have more trouble socializing than anyone else I know.

Answer 5

The benefits are enourmous! I am a homeschooled student. So the benefits are: Children are safer is the comfort of there own home. And can learn better than normal schools. I really wouldn't worry about friends, I don't have any, well thats my choice. hehe. But there is bunch of outings in homeschooling. There is picnics, to go to meet other students, I mean bunch! Thats how your child can learn socialism, is meeting other students in outings.

Answer 6

Benefits - more basics and less of the social engineering going on in today's schools, plus your child will be able to learn at their own pace.
Setbacks - Less interaction with a more diverse social group (good or bad, depending on your view point)
Regarding lack of friendships and social interactions, don'f neglect the fact that many homeschoolers are into social activities (scouts, church, sports, homeschool co-ops, etc).
Currently in our 10th year of homeschooling.

Answer 7

The benefits of homeschooling is that the kid is more apt to learn and retain information better. The set back is that the kid is very sheltered and more at risk to rebel or not have the common street knowledge most kids posess by being in a public school setting.

Answer 8

Benefits--this is assuming that homeschooling is done by a committed parent:
-children get one-on-one attention, not only in academics, but in general life skills, social skills, etc.
-children can go their own pace instead of having to follow the pace mandated by the teacher
-children grow up in a better environment than what a lot of schools offer--I mean, really, we would not consider it a great thing if kids grew up in homes where they were bullied, the kids partied together, went out and smoked together, snuck out of the house together, threw condoms around the family vehicle, or, as practised as of late at my dh's school, spraying Axe on their arms and lighting it on fire, yet it's okay--and even desirable--that most of their waking hours are spent in a school environment where such things go on?
-children get to grow up with more freedom and rights: the right to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water when they darn well have to, the right to move from their seat and stretch and just plain move around, the freedom to study topics of interest and more
-children grow up without their peer group being their number one focus, which means they become better aware of their own likes and dislikes, instead of simply liking what everyone else around them likes
-parents get to raise their children instead of sending them off to strangers who will raise them for most of the week

Drawbacks:
-it can be stressful and is definitely very time-consuming
-there are a lot of people who will say nasty things about homeschooling and who will never get it because they're not willing to actually get to know enough homeschoolers to understand
-you do have to be dedicated to make it work--keep their academics in check, make sure they get the social contacts they need--and it can be a flop if you aren't

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After reading the other comments...

If that just doesn't beat all: I should send my child to school because he won't get to do show-and-tell and recess. What--a person's life is incomplete without them?

Good grief!

FWIW, my children can have 1-3-hour long recesses if they so choose. Every day. Not these piddly 15-minute recesses twice a day and then another 15-20 minutes at lunch, which are less than that once you actually get your coat on and get outside. They can have a 3-hour recess each week with other homeschoolers. They can show me and family and friends all kinds of things they managed to do and find. My children very much have friends so it's so annoying to read over and over again opinions from ignorant people who say that homeschooled kids won't have any friends. WE DON'T LOCK OUR KIDS UP IN THE HOUSE ALL DAY LONG!

Answer 9

The benifits? There are no distractions. The set backs? There are no distractions for your child to learn to deal with in the real world.

Lizzy is happy with no friends.. Am I the only one who thinks that's strange?

Answer 10

Home schooling is better cause the one teaching can spend more time with you, as long as you have an educated teacher.