Why do people see the need to bash homeschoolers?

Question

Yahoo questions is a great forum for everyone to share their thoughts and opinions. And yes I agree that this is a free country and we all have our right to speak, my husband has been to IRAQ and back to fight for everyone's freedoms - so don't go there. I just don't understand why some people feel as though they should answer a valid question with sarcasm or just plain meanness. If you can't be helpful - answer another question where your input can do someone some good. Could someone please explain to me why people think it is a GOOD thing to bash folks who just want a little help educating their children?

WOW - homeschool support!!! So cool. I am amazed that people truly believe that a teaching certificate makes you the best person to teach my child. I am constantly having to give my verbal resume to people so that they will belive I am capable. I have a Bachelors in Sacred Music w/perfomance in Trumpet and a Masters in History. I have travelled to speak and perform in both areas and have been published in both as well. My husband has degrees in Biology, Pre-med, and environmental Management and is a Signal Major in the Army. For some reason even our family's occasionally have to be reminded.

To Peter D. : Yours is a very common big picture / little picture arguement. The little picture sees only directly results to ones own community. the big picture is global and involves us all. It is and always has been our participation in conflicts around the world, whether directly related or not, that have protected both our freedoms and that of others. The big picture is that the more freedom spreads and the more minds and lives that are changed - the freer we are. Just think - we could all be speaking German...

Answer 1

It is baffling, isn't it?

I think it's really just another case of rumors and ignorance. And, really, I used to be in that camp, too. When people would voice concerns about homeschool children being socially inept, I would nod in agreement. I remember one time even having pity on a boy who was doing math in the waiting room at the pediatrician's office while waiting on a younger sibling to finish. I think I was just brain-washed. I had taught in the public school system and had a hard time seeing outside the box I guess. I had heard so much about the negative effects of homeschooling, I just believed it without much question. Maybe for a while I questioned it. I mean, I had no real reason to believe those claims. But, eventually, it started sinking in. It was years later that I began to carefully research the subject of homeschooling and found that those criticisms were totally unfounded, and really, that the opposite of what I'd heard was more generally true of homeschoolers. As we became more educated on the realities of homeschooling rather than the myths, my husband and I both gradually went from complete disapproval of homeschooling to choosing to homeschool our own kids. It was a scary and difficult decision because it's so hard to change your thinking on something that has been so heavily ingrained in you for so long--even when it's been proven false.

You can see it here. I bet many of the bashers on this forum have been at least partially convinced or somewhat affirmed in their false thinking by the other bashers, thus the rumors continue. They THINK they know what they're talking about because they've read and heard countless times how sheltered, unsocial, unprepared for the real world, etc. homeschoolers are. They've not done the research to back it up because it's so ingrained in their minds that it has become fact to them. I really think that many of them bash in good conscience. I think they're trying to set us straight--give poor, mislead citizens like us some much needed advice--steer us in the right direction if you will.

And much thanks to your husband from our neck of the woods, too. I think we have all felt the freedom to walk the streets of Manhattan over the past five years that we wouldn't have felt had our country done nothing in response to 9/11.

Answer 2

"People actually hold homeschoolers to a higher standard than they do public schools. Everyone makes a big deal about how a 'homeschool teacher' (I hate that phrase) has to be an expert in every subject, but most or a good chunk of teachers in schools (at least private schools) are hardly experts in their fields. They can just play by ear, read the curriculum, and run through guidelines they're given."

This is so true. Another issue in socialization, we are also held to higher standards. Heaven forbid a homeschool kid be shy, or immature, or spiritual!!! Oh, they have been locked away, they have been overly-sheltered, they have been indoctrinated!!! Public school kids, however, are allowed to have different personalities, and if they are socially inept or bullies or wild kids, it's not supposed to reflect on public schooling as a whole.

I've never heard a public school teacher say about a sexually active drug-addicted 14 year old that they should be homeschooled because they need more sheltering and that the school has failed them; but one shy, quiet homeschooler and that's just all the proof they need to condemn it.

MSB

Answer 3

"human beings somewhat carry homeschoolers to a greater typical than they do public colleges. all and sundry makes a large deal approximately how a 'homeschool instructor' (I hate that word) must be an authority in each and every undertaking, yet maximum or a stable bite of instructors in colleges (a minimum of inner maximum schools) are hardly specialists of their fields. they might only play by skill of ear, study the curriculum, and run by rules they are given." it is so real. yet another undertaking in socialization, we are additionally held to larger standards. Heaven forbid a homeschool new child be shy, or immature, or non secular!!! Oh, they have been locked away, they have been overly-sheltered, they have been indoctrinated!!! Public college teenagers, even although, are allowed to have distinctive personalities, and in the event that they are socially inept or bullies or wild teenagers, it truly isn't any longer meant to mirror on public education as an entire. i've got on no account heard a public college instructor say some sexually lively drug-addicted 14 twelve months old that they might desire to be homeschooled simply by fact they want extra sheltering and that the college has failed them; yet one shy, quiet homeschooler and that's only each and every of the evidence they might desire to sentence it. MSB

Answer 4

Well, think about it. Most people, if given a viable option, would not go through high school again. There's a lot of crap, a lot of pain, and a lot of embarassment associated with high school, and school in general, that people have gone through and one way they justify that pain to themselves is by saying it was a strengthening, character building experience that everyone should have.

Then along come the homeschoolers, who are much happier and still seem to be functional human beings.

People actually hold homeschoolers to a higher standard than they do public schools. Everyone makes a big deal about how a 'homeschool teacher' (I hate that phrase) has to be an expert in every subject, but most or a good chunk of teachers in schools (at least private schools) are hardly experts in their fields. They can just play by ear, read the curriculum, and run through guidelines they're given.

Also, people just don't understand it and feel threatened by it. In school you are pitted against everyone else. Your worth is tested against how you rank up in your school, and how your school ranks against everyone else's. We don't have that, so clearly, we have to be bad, because of course it is all good and bad.

Answer 5

I know what you mean. I recently asked a question here and someone replied with a tirade about my decision to homeschool that had nothing to do with what I had posted . I don't understand why people are so threatened by homeschooling. I certainly don't believe that it is for everyone, just as I DO believe that MY children have benefitted greatly from it.

I've noticed that mean-spirited people have replied to other posts (not just related to homeschooling) with snide or vicious remarks. So perhaps these people have very little in their lives except Yahoo Questions where they can be spiteful... and anonymous.

Answer 6

I think that people feel a need to bash those that don't fit with their view. We don't have to go very far to see that. Look at the political process we are in now, with bashing from both sides and in the middle.

When people feel threatened (and while I don't understand WHY, I do get the feeling that many feel threatened by homeschooling), they stop thinking and start reacting. They rationalize their position, and will even make up "facts" to support their position. I think that's why there is all the bashing on homeschooling. When you don't know anything, then make it up, and say it with conviction...

Answer 7

The two in my family that are not supportive and have been vocal against home schooling have jobs or have had jobs in the public school system, and perhaps they think we think home schooling is better than public school, we think that public school is awful, or that we are in some way insulting them with our school choice. Both are former public school teachers and one is currently a public school principal!

In our case, school did not work out for my son, but I do think it can be good for many children, but definitely does not work for all children such as my child who does have special needs. I do think in some other states he may have had more help and attention with his special needs but our state doesn't have the funding available.

I personally would never go into a public school forum where public school teachers were posting about public school and post that I think public school is terrible and you should not use the public school system which is what some posters are doing at this site about our schooling choice. I do have a hard time understanding that kind of thinking.

Answer 8

IF homeschooling were what they are led by stereotypes to believe it is, it would deserve the criticism it receives.

I got a hostile email chewing me out, on the one hand, for trying to turn my child into a nerd/genius, and on the other hand chiding me for being unprepared to teach my child quantum physics. I don't know where they went to high school, but that was never an option at any high school I've known of.

the same charming gentlemen (note the sarcasm) also posited that my child was sheltered and would be a virgin till they married at 26, implying fanatical religiosity on my part.

shows how little he knows, I'm an atheist.

Answer 9

Basically, they don't like what they do not understand. They think that they know, but it is only through their narrow mind. The only way they could truly understand it was if they experienced it.
Many also see one or two bad examples, and they assume that all of us are nuts of some form.
It frustrates all of us. All we can do is try and dispel some of the myths. Other than that, people will believe what they want to believe.
I was only homeschooled for the last two years of high school, but I loved it.

Answer 10

I don't see what people have against it either, i have several friends who are home schooled, they aren't any different at all, in fact home schooling is better because then the kids don't learn stuff from kids around the school that are inapropriate or corrupt minds of people. Home schooling is just a method of teaching that benefits kids from corruption at school. If i were to take a wild guess i would think it would be because of the kids being jealous and/or thinking home schoolers are little nerds who their mommy and daddys want to keep safe. Honestly i have nothing wrong with home schooling, in fact i wish i was home schooled, to much drama and stress happens at public schools. In fact my friend is a Junior in highschool and she just graduated and is planning on going to the Honor Achademy which is a Christian university. So i'm very proud of her! (and she is homeschooled, i mean was homeschooled)