How do you feel about the recent attempts by Christians to avoid getting their kids a real education?

Question

Ok, that sounds a little harsh, but the reality is that more and more Christians are taking their kids out of public schools in an attempt to shield them from both diversity in culture and education curriculum that does not include Creation. Since they have been unsuccessful in getting Creation into public schools, it seems they are starting their own "schools" or opting for home schooling.

Does this frighten anyone else? I think that this is of great detriment to our children and future generations. Creation can be taught at home after school. Christian "values" can be taught at home after school. All the "evil" things kids may learn in school can be washed away at home after school, if necessary. But kids need to be exposed to many cultures and many ideas and develop social skills in order to function in this country. They will encounter these issues once they leave school, so how is sheltering them from them helping anyone?

Is sheltering your kids from the real world really worth retarding their development and education?

See http://www.au.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8947&abbr=cs_ for more info. [This is from Americans United for Separation of Church and State, currently run by a Reverend. You can find this article in the March edition of Church and State.]

Answer 1

And then the poor kids grow up and go out into the REAL world and are at a complete loss. They are so easily targeted by people who can see they have no foundation in reality.

I've known home-schooled kids in Texas where there are no educational requirements. Kids have no social skills and no education either. It's criminal.

Answer 2

Well, that depends.

I'm afraid most public schools are known to be harsh violent environments. You live in a nation that has street violence and sexual crimes a-rampant in some areas. And even in the "safer" areas, how about the fact that most kids can be vicious and predatory in an effort to be popular, and that all the "cool" things are the things most adults look down upon? School used to be a place where kids could learn about the world, diversity, make friends and be accepted and mentored. Now, it's a popularity contest STRAIGHT out of a teenage film with people who do well being considered geeks, where physical beauty is power above everything else and you're only great if you don't trip on your two left feet (which teenager doesn't go through that?) I believe that kids at least need a strong foundation of love and confidence before they have to face the harsh elements outside.

Besides, I know several home-schooled kids who speak very well, are incredibly talented and smart and have excellent social skills (to the point where they can even sit through adult church conferences dealing with volatile issues and remain incredibly discreet). And are they exposed to diverse cultures and identities? Turn on the TV and the Net.

In the end, I agree that no child should be sheltered for LONG, but I think that:
a) some kids need time to grow and mature before they have the strength to deal with the identity hell that is public school
b) home-schooled kids are not necessarily sheltered kids especially when the parents take the time to expose them themselves

Answer 3

First of all, what makes you think that because a child is home schooled that they are sheltered fro the real world? Contrary to popular belief, you don't learn social skills in school. Second of all, many people pull their children out of public schools because of crime, drugs, prejudice and a whole list of reasons that do not involve the teaching of creationism. Thirdly, the great institution of "public schools" that you seem to revere hasn't even been around that long and humans explored the planet and made great discoveries and innovations and attended universities long before the existence of "public schools." And as for a "real education" from public schools, why not start with the book "Why Johnny Can't Read" followed by the book "Why Johnny Still Can't Read." Interesting philosophy though on the "All the "evil" things kids may learn in school can be washed away at home after school, if necessary" and how exactly you intend to do that. Final footnote, not all home schooling is Christian based.

Answer 4

I'm a Christian, but the reason I advocate home or private schooling has very little to do with the curriculum.
When my kid has to have a clear backpack to make sure nobody is smuggling firearms or drugs into the public school, when kids are pimping one another, selling drugs, and being molested on campuses all over the United States, sending kids to public school is frightening.
Ask the parents in Columbine if the evil their kids learned at school one horrible day a few years back can ever be "washed away".....

Answer 5

I home school my children.

-I live in a city where all of the public schools have been on academic emergency for years. Most of the cities around us have the same problem.
-There are metal detectors and security guards at the schools and there are still serious violence and drug problems and teachers being raped even in the elementary schools!
-My nephews in the public school get stressed out when the school receives threats of violence and everyone goes on alert.
-One of my nephews who graduated last year from the public school can barely read and write, does not speak well, and asks the meaning of every word we say that has more than two syllables.
-We can't afford any of the private schools where these things aren't happening.

People shouldn't be judgemental of others who are exercising their right of educational choice, no matter what their reasons. This is America, and we do still have some rights.

Answer 6

Honestly, can you call what happens to the majority of students in diversity ridden public schools, an education? Oh sure, they may learn how to read and do a little math, if their fortunate but what kids seem more likely to learn is how to avoid the bullies. Paying them off isn't always an option but its the surest. Parents who care, and its not just the religous types, will put that pay off money to better use then sports orientated schools can.

As to the idea that they are being sheltered, is it really that you miss the payoff monies yourself? Be happy that the geeks are no longer a concern for you until you reach the time when your going to College; if they are being sheltered, they won't be able to pass the entrance exams and you will have street wisdom which we know is what colleges want, right?

Answer 7

Whoa, now. Home-schooling isn't all that bad. I was home-schooled and I was still exposed to culture. Granted I hated every moment of it because of the Christian based curriculum, but I still had a social life. I had friends who would take me to dances and proms at their school, and all that other neat stuff. It really didn't stunt my growth. As a matter of fact, it's shown that children who are home-schooled tend to have a higher I.Q.

On the flip side, If homeschooling their children is going to keep their religious agenda out of the public school system, why are you complaining? It's their choice. Remember, that this is a GOOD thing, okay?

Answer 8

No who is close-minded here?

I went to a christian school. The quality of education was much higher than at the local public schools. I eventually switched to public high school, as the Christian High School was to small to offer the University Prep courses I wanted, and I was surprised at how easy it was. I put much more effort into my graed 11 bio project than my OAC (grade 13) biology project, and got a lower mark.

I do not see how sending a child to a christian school is detrimental to their social skills.

I do agree that being exposed to many different cultures is a good thing. But going to a public school is not the only way to facilitate this.

Answer 9

Short answer from me is that public school works just fine. It has a feel that is a real world one. You can't stop your kid from seeing life for what it is. This is why so many of these kids are suicidal, they never saw the world for what it truly is. Everyone doesn't believe in God, people have to learn to deal with this. Everyone won't grow up to be rich and famous, deal with it. You need public schools to show them what the world is. A place that many different kinds of people make up. Some rich, some poor, some offspring of planned pregnancies, some accidents, some good some bad.

Answer 10

"Ok, that sounds a little harsh, but the reality is that more and more Christians are taking their kids out of public schools in an attempt to shield them from both diversity in culture and education curriculum that does not include Creation. Since they have been unsuccessful in getting Creation into public schools, it seems they are starting their own "schools" or opting for home schooling."

This seems like a pretty big assumption on your part.
How many home schooling Christians have you, personally talked to that have told you these are the reasons they are homeschooling?