Homeschool Haters?

Question

I am very curious to know why there are those that hate homeschooling. Is it just the idea of doing something that goes against mainstream? Do you personally know of someone that was/is homeschooled that you feel has been damaged in some way? I understand feeling bad for a child thats parents keep them locked away in their house. Do you know of anyone like this? (I have heard rumors of this but have never seen any facts) But I also feel bad for the children that are in public school and are totally neglected as well. I know a lot of homeschool families and we joke about the fact that the word "homeschooling" needs to be changed...because we are never at home...we are going on field trips going to classes or having a good time playing and socializing with other children. So for all those that for some reason feel it necessary to say nasty, unfounded things to those people looking for help to homeschool "WHAT IS YOR ISSUE WITH HOMESCHOOLING?" Please be specific with your answers

thanks "dmdb1" for your answer. I agree that not everyone is equipped to homeschool. I also feel that everyone is not equipped to be a parent either! I wonder if the child that you mention was pulled out initially because of his needs not being met in the PS system? I also liked your honesty that you would homeschool.

Ed M "The major issue I have with homeschooling is accountability" Who do you think should be regulating this? The public school system? They can't seem to get it together for the children they already have enrolled in the system. The majority of HS families I know are sick of the bureaucracy and the lack of education that is currently offered. I think that when the public school system is running smoothly then they can worry about how to fix the few Homeschool families who may be lacking. The majority are turning out awesome young adults that the colleges are begging for.

timmmay "My issue with homeschooling is that all the students I have met are a little off..... have noticed that they all have a very lacking sense of authority and respect"

Are they rude to authority (I assume you mean adults)? Or do they question authority. Many adults (especially teachers) bristle at the very idea that a young person is questioning or challenging them. Most of the time in public school teachers lecture and students go along with it even it they don't believe it. (wouldn't want those grades jeopardized for questioning)

"They cannot take a joke." What kind of joke? All the homeschoolers I know have a great sense of humor...are you making fun of them? I don't know anyone who likes that.

"They make everyone else around them feel uncomfortable because they have no idea how to socialize." Please give an example of this. Is their hygiene poor? Do they have bad manners? Do they not follow along with the crowd?

"In short they are losers." In what way?

mike c "HS students do not have the social skills people develop in high school, junior high, and elementary school."
Based on what other than opinion?

" HS students cannot be exposed to the full assortment of extra curricular activites the big schools have"
I went to public school and was not in one of those extracurricular activities. However my HS child is in gymnastics, dance, art, piano lessons, violin lessons, cultural experience club, public speaking club, knitting class and volunteers (when she can park clean up days etc). This and she is only 5. This is on top of Spanish class her regular studies of reading, spelling, math etc. She is with children/people of all ages everyday of the week.

"Most HS people I have known have a very hard time being part of a team or being the leader of a team." Most grown HSers I've encountered are business owners etc. not corporate automatons.

SEE next set

Answer 1

I feel that most people are followers rather than leaders...they are told what to do so they do it. That is exactly what the Public School system is for to make good little robots. There are those that don't like something that is different. Those that are more concerned with partying at school. Those that love public school because it's free babysitting etc. Like you said most are just "HATERS" without anything to back it up.

Answer 2

I have one now who was homeschooled since grade 3. He's now in grade 8. That mom should be held responsible for it too.

This poor kid was already diagnosed with a disability. Now, our staff sees more harm was done and there may be other issues of disability too. He is currently being tested. This child is lost. He hasn't learned 1/4 of the material necessary to pass a NY State test. In fact, he couldn't even fill out a textbook card without help. He readily admits that he didn't learn anything at home. His case may be the extreme but he is assuredly not the only child ill served by homeschooling.

I have never had a problem with homeschooling. I would do it myself. However, most people do not have the time, expertise, or resources that the various professionals in any school district can jointly provide.

There is obviously great risk in the notion that anyone can practice homeschooling.

Answer 3

I think home schooling is great!! I homeschool my 3 children, the youngest of which is special needs. My boyfriend also homeschools his 2 boys. I see a huge difference between my children and his due to the fact that his were in public school until last year. My children don't go around telling adult what to do or to shut up. They get plenty of socializing through the 4H also. It's hard, I'll admit, but if you really want your children to be productive individuals you put in the effort. Public schools are not the only avenue for socializing and in my opinion is far from the best source, just take a look at the outcomes and you'll see.

Answer 4

My issue with homeschooling is that all the students I have met are a little off. (only the ones I have met, which probably numbers to about ten or so) Based on those ten, I have noticed that they all have a very lacking sense of authority and respect. They cannot take a joke. They make everyone else around them feel uncomfortable because they have no idea how to socialize. In short they are losers. Now, these are just those ten I have met. I am hopeful that these ten represent a VERY small percentage of homeschooled students. I also realize that many students who attend regular schools are also unsocial, lack respect, etc.. I am just going by what I have personally experienced, and that is what I have to offer to you.

Answer 5

The major issue I have with homeschooling is accountability.

I believe homeschoolers should:
Be required to keep records and portfolios
Cover specific skills and content in ALL Key learning areas
Assess progress in all key areas especially literacy and numeracy
Attend proffessional development courses for 3 days per year (to learn new techniques, share ideas etc)
Be monitored at least annually to to check records and ensure that the requirements are met.

I also feel that the students should be state / nationally tested in all key areas at least three times (grade 4, 8 and 12)

I realise that many homeschoolers do these things and that requirements vary from state to state but I am concerned that some states do not have ANY compulsory testing of students or ANY requirement to keep or show records / portfolios if requested.

Most homeschoolers I know are actually completing 'distance education' so the accountability falls on the teacher(s) at the school.

I have known home schooling families to omit one key learning area because their child 'didn't want to do it'

Answer 6

Thank you for asking this question. When I just saw the heading "Homeschool Haters?" I expected you to be one, and I was mentally preparing to tell you how great homeschooling is! When I read the rest of your question, you said exactly what I was going to say! Thank you for giving people a good look at homeschooling. I agree with your point on the fact that homeschoolers aren't at home that much! I want to let people out there know that homeschoolers are not dumb (they're smarter than most kids!), and they're not socially deprived, either! Thanks again.

Answer 7

I know what you mean. I am home schooled also...or I was, I am in college now. People always ask me if I felt like I missed out or if I hated it. The truth is I loved it! I learned so much and my co-op classes prepared me for college. In fact, those classes were much harder, we had to write papers like crazy, and long ones too. In one year we read all of Dante, not just the Inferno, a Tale of Two Cities, the Federalist and Anti-federalist papers, and a lot more. With the notes on these books and papers, we practically wrote our own Western Civ texts. It sounds like hell, but it was a lot of fun. We went to dances, I personally was involved in gymnastics, ballet, fencing, pottery, and painting classes at our local YMCA until I was 13, I play the violin, piano, tin and long whistles, and take ballroom dance lessons. How was I not socialized enough? If anything, it was too much, I had my gymnastics team, my ballet friends, and friends from fencing, pottery and painting lessons. I have dance friends, music friends and co-op friends. The list could go on and on. We were always going somewhere. I think the only thing I missed out on in public school is the divided student groups (you know, the popular kids, the jocks, the nerds, so-on-and-so-forth.), and the exposure to drugs, drinking, and underage sex (I work at a community center which is attached to the high school. I know a lot of the kids there). So no, I did not miss out on much. I don’t mean to brag about my education and all the stuff we did, it’s just what we did.
I am grateful to my parents for not giving up. When they first started home schooling me, they were attacked by the school board for it because when they asked about their reading program (reading is very important to them), the school told them that it was none of their business and claimed that they were on a "witch hunt" (their words). The school even put it in the papers. I think the education of a child IS a parent's business, excuse me.

Answer 8

I can't really answer your question, because I'm not a "homeschool hater," but anybody that doubts the value of homeschooling over public schools should read The Great Conversation by Robert Maynerd Hutchins, especially the chapter about the decline of the liberal education.

Answer 9

I pay no attention to vampire haters because the lovers outnumber the haters. Being different is a good thing. Be yourself and don't try to emulate others, especially other teens. Hang in there.

Answer 10

I don't think people hate homeschoolers I certainly don't. but people i think just don't understand it; how u go to school at home? do you have the same system as the public or private school? stuff like that. usual the people who worry alot about this and "hate" homeschooling don't have a life yet so they try to use it on one subject that they just don't understand.