Who will take me up on this challenge?

Question

A lot of you assume that Christians who homeschool are whacked-out Bible bangers bent on controlling their kids minds and isolating them from the opinions of others. So, why don't you visit a local homeschool group- one for Christian homeschoolers and see what you find out. They are not trying to control their kids minds, they are normal, loving parents who want the best for their kids. T

They go out of their way to provide a rich enviornment for their kids. For instance, how many educational and cultural "field trips" have you or your kids school provided your kids with this year? Now, ask a homeschooler how many times they have done so.

Visit a homeschool group and see what it's really like. The only difference between homeschool families and other families is that our kitchen counters are usually covered in science experiments in progress!

Where on earth does the idea come from that homeschooled kids have no friends? They have many, and what's more, they are stronger because they have been taught to be repectful and considerate.

great gazoo- Then why do homeschoolers excell, far beyond public school kids on tests? How much knowlege did my Drivers Ed teacher have about math? None- but he taught it for several years.

pixie pangel: for what it's worth, I do agree that homeschooling isn't a good way to keep kids on the "straight and narrow". I know homeschoolers who have turned out bad. But, it had nothing to do with homeschooling- it had to do with poor parental skills.

Answer 1

tell em girl...... I just answered a question about this stuff ...... my neighbor home schools or did all of her 8 kids........ they are MORE educated and well rounded than any kids I know!!
well versed in manners, sports, music, the oldest is in New York going to be a DOCTOR, she is called to missions work for God, one is a pilot, one is married but going to college, and they all are just wonderful , well mannered, open, and adorable people........... they use Field trips as part of their education, they have their own family band, that play at weddings and such, they rent a gym once a week, the whole group that is, for learning sports, they have all learned to *write* music...... etc............... go in peace...... God bless

Answer 2

I think someone is being totally defensive.

There is a BIG difference between parents who homeschool (whether they are Christian or not) because they want to provide a BETTER education for their children because the schools in their district are poor and not up to standard. Those who are doing it to provide a better education make sure their kids learn about evolutionary science and have abundant extra cirricular activities and access to public library resources.

HOWEVER....

There are parents who homeschool because they do not want their kids to learn about evolution and come into contact with kids who are not of the same religious beliefs, social life etc. I live in a small town in the South and I even know of parents who homeschool because of racial reasons which is terrible.

I do not think ANYONE, not even I was suggesting ALL parents who homeschool are wacked out fanatics. It all depends on motive.

My only concern is that if the SOLE motive is to keep the kid ignorant about certain things or exposed only to one side of the coin, in order to keep them under control, it will backfire BADLY. No foundation built on restricting knowledge ever survives long. It is human nature to quest, challenge etc. So those parents who run the risk of the kid rejecting not just the teaching but the teacher as well, which in this case, is the parent.

I have been to many online resources for parents who homeschool and they are very comprehensive. My youngest son had to be homeschooled until he learned to manage his respiratory illness and go to public school. By the way, we have GOOD public schools in my district. Very committed teachers, active PTA, excellent GPA average, excellent extra cirricular activities and student volunteer programmes etc. If we didn't, of course I would home school.

Answer 3

Yeah....I have an Aunt that did this to her kids. Wacked out Bible banger would be an understatement.

There is no way that a homeschool class could cover a specialized area the same way a qualified teacher can. It isn't possible. You don't have the same level of knowledge on the subject, you don't have the same lab equipment, and you don't have the same love of every subject that you get from a professional teacher.

And that isn't even touching on the worst part. The kids social skills suck because they never have to interact with the general population of other kids.

Answer 4

The only problem I have with Christian homeschooling (I am a Christian by the way) is the children's ability to socialize with the real world as they get older. The kids I know were so protected that they either wilted or went wild when they got out into the real world. Even dealing with bullies and the like is a life lesson.

Answer 5

Simply just the fact that you are completely fanatic that people must prove themselves to you, shows that a major form of controlled influence was expressed. Besides homeschooling is mandated by both state and federal guide lines to surpass the general education of where you live, due to possible financial & mental instablity with the home to which you were born. So its a loaded question.

Answer 6

I do meet the results of this homeschooling sometimes and it is much like a redneck nightmare. Public schools may have there downfalls but it is important to expose your children to other children of different faiths, beliefs and just others in general. Why is it YOUR choice what they should believe? They should have that right to choose for themselves and Christian homeschool doesnt sound like the teach real science or the theory of evolution or about the different cultures and religions of others without adding their two cents first.

Answer 7

Actually I know Christians who homeschool, and although the homeschool program is Christian I never noticed them talking about the Bible- I even went to the graduation.

Answer 8

Although we home schooled our son, and everything turned out great, nothing is perfect.

I think home schooling is the lesser of bad choices. No one could try harder than we did!


At least we parents KNOW what was taught, what was learned, and HOW WELL.

Does a public school teacher know that, in a classroom of 40 unruly kids? Really, all they know is that students could repeat the correct answer at the time of the exam, or copy it from their neighbour or cheat sheet.

If our son acted badly, they'd send him home, like Pilate washing his hands. The buck stops HERE at home!

At least, at home, he did not have to be bullied by older boys and dangerous gangs. There was no psychotic boys thinking of shooting up the school here! Nor was there a drug pusher on the premises!!!

Safe at home, prayer were allowed, and the worlds best seller, the Bible, was not off limits.

Home schooling allows the BIG questions to be asked. The purpose of life. Eternal standards of right and wrong.

We could question the theory of relativety with the old fashioned right of free speech, and not face a teacher/authority-figure's unteilding (almost "religious") Darwinian inquisition...a witch hunt for pursecuting bible beleiving children.

We could face the reality of sins, cruelty, evil and death on this earth, with faith in the eternal future; our real home in the after-life, with God in heaven.

Answer 9

For what it's worth:

I used to work at a Catholic school in the San Francisco Bay Area. We were 7-12, and we had a fair number of home schoolers applying for the seventh grade every year. Part of my job was to test them in mathematics to determine their readiness. I found that they split pretty strongly, with about 2/3 being very well prepared and about 1/3 without a clue. One year, the salutatorian and valedictorian of the eighth grade class were both former home schoolers. Academically, then, there's a pretty good chance that home schoolers can hold their own with those going to public school.

In terms of religious convictions, I don't recall a single problem with home schoolers during the five years I was there. So "whacked out Bible bangers" would be completely inaccurate.

Answer 10

good point! when america had more rural areas, many children were homeschooled and we've turned out many amazing people who totally think for themselves.

it's like how nursing a baby was what every woman did, regardless of her socioeconomic background, race, culture, etc. cuz that's what b'reasts are for...then suddenly women are discouraged from nursing so that the formula companies can make a buck...decades go by and suddenly it's is discovered that nursing a baby is the best way to insure health and proper development !

homeschooling is not a new idea, but it is a great one! too bad we don't live in a culture where it is respected...