Should answers that put down homeschool kids or tell them to, "Go back to school" be reported?

Question

This is a homeschool section and I notice that there are people who only answer queries on this topic to bash homeschool. Since they never show any proof of their rude and ridiculous claims and even go as far as to lash out at children, should we just start reporting them? I've seen comments that range from a simple, "You should go to school", to "You are socially retarded and so are your children". This is not an answer. This is not helpful. Is it reportable?

Censorship?
This is not a public street. This is not a newspaper and scientific journal. This is not a forum for discussion. This is Yahoo! Questions and Answers. It is a place for finding information, not a place for learning about your unfounded opinions. There are rules. I am asking if that sort of "answer" breaks those rules.

If it were a public street and you approached children and parents with some of the nastier put downs we see here repeatedly, you would be arrested. Here in Kentucky, you'd most likely also be beaten. (I’m not condoning violence. I’m just stating a fact.)

I can and do think for myself, thank you. I know what I think. I want to know what you think. This is a question about interpreting the rules of YA, not about my thoughts. It is a valid question. If you dislike the question, or have nothing helpful to say, you may choose not to answer it.

Oh yes! I already report the cheating kids. If I could find a way to tell their parents too, I would.

Those who mentioned the rabid atheists on R&S: I was actually thinking of them and some of their mirror images on the theist side of that behavior when I asked the question. R&S by its very nature gives more room for being subjective than most catagories.So why the OT answers that are flat out hateful? If the question were: Does God exist and do you think I'm stupid? They might have a reason for that response. I've yet to see that question posted. They answer that way to questions like, "Should instumental music be allowed in church services and why?"
It seems to me that if that is against the rules, then the HS bashing OT answers are also against the rules.

Answer 1

I think if the "Go back to school" response is an answer to a question like, "Which math curriculum do you think I should use?", it's reportable. Something that is obvious bashing should be reported. Things where it's based on what people seem to honestly believe is true... that's a harder call, imho. They don't know any better. If their information were correct and would be an answer to the question, I think it needs to be left. But if it's really obviously not an answer to the question... It's reportable.

Answer 2

I do see where you're coming from, and the messages do ruffle my feathers as well. However, I don't think they're reportable. I'd like it a lot if they were. Not all of the anti-homeschool messages, mind you, but the ones that are intended to be putdowns and that make vast generalizations about how horrible homeschooling is, and present their opinions as if they were fact.... (I know, that pretty much covers most of the messages in question...) If they have a negative opinion about HSing, that's one thing. Share it if you want, but make sure to word it like an opinion statement UNLESS you have REAL evidence to back it up. The ones who come on here just so they can talk out of their backsides need to be checked... but really there's no good, fair way to do that without reaching a level of sensorship that will hurt more than it will help. *thinks* I know i put a point in here somewhere.... Ah, yes. I do see where you're coming from, but I don't think there is much that can be done about it. Maybe e-mail Yahoo and see what they think? Or just pay no mind to answers that come out of a backside? Send private messages to people who come here considering HSing if it seems their answer is getting hit with a lot of nonsense answers... Send them some real informational resources and explain the skeptic situation all HSers face at some point? That's what I try to do.

Answer 3

I think if it is not an answer to the question, it should be reported. If a person asks a specific question about homeschool, and the person does not answer if they should be reported.

There will always be those who do not come to really discuss the topic at hand, for instance, there are more Atheists on the Religion and Spirituality board than there are religious people (of any faith). When they don't answer the question, they should be reported too.

Personally though, the only people I've reported are 1. a person who tried to "pick up on" a girl who identified herself as being 11 years old. 2. people who post links to p*rnography or hate sites. Otherwise I just ignore their comments, but that is just me, if tehy are violating community guidelines in anyway, you have every right to report.

Answer 4

Sometimes...

I think the "You should go to school" comment while not helpful is not really reportable.

The "You are socially retarded and so are your children" is definitely reportable.

A few things that I gleaned from the Y!A community guidelines:

** Be Courteous
** Venting, Ranting, Hate Speech (is a no no)
** Being Mean (is a no no)

I think many times the answer types you describe are quite discourteous, we often see venting and ranting (many times off-topic) and definitely some just plain and simple "being mean."

Everyone sometimes gets a little excited or enthusiastic and slips up and says something that may be borderline. If it is borderline, I'd say give the benefit of the doubt. If it is clearly intended to insult then we should all start reporting.


*** UPDATE

I'd also say that we should all start reporting the "Help Me Cheat On My Homework" questions.

Answer 5

Yes, because they are not answering the question. An answer that is insulting can also be reported. I wouldn't report them if they actually came up with a legitimate article which can inform us of the "dangers" of homeschooling. Good luck on that.
This kind of problem is common in many categories but it's effect can be minimalized by reporting the offending comments.

Answer 6

Personally insulting another member is a violation and can be reported.

Giving the opinion ( whether right or wrong) that homeschooling is inferior isn't reportable.

Telling homeschool children " go back to school" may be felt as insulting but that doesn't appear to fit as personal insult, more as opinion that may offend.

Offensive opinions aren't necessarily violations of community guidelines.

but then that's MY opinion and it may or may not be interpreted by Y/A the way I read it.

An education is as good as the teachers that provide it and as good as what questions the students ask...whether public, private or home school.

shalom :)

Answer 7

You are right, it IS rather "trollish" behavior.
I vote for reporting it. If it were in response to a question asking for an opinion, then I could understand, even if they still can't back it up. But when it is just lashing out like that, I think I will begin reporting it.
It would be like someone asking a NON-OPINION related question in a religion forum and people responding "there is no God and you are an idiot"-that doesn't answer a question and is just hateful.
Same thing here

Answer 8

If someone is asked an OPINION on what they feel about home schooling and give it I do not report it. If they respond in a manner that is not answering the question AT ALL and simply bashing for the sake of bashing, it should be reported.
I report all such answers and wish everyone would as well.

Answer 9

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but lucky for us not everyone has mash for brains.

The ones who like to 'bash,molest,scare' homeschoolers are those who have no clue and are scared of anything that is different. In some cases these people don't even have children ( just like some of our Politions who pass educational laws).
They should be pitied and educated politely and yes in some cases IGNORED. Being rude only starts a cycle that gives them fuel and a soapbox to stand on.

UNLESS their answer will actually HARM someone, it is better to just ignore the answer/poster.

Homeschoolers: Many, Proud AND Here to Stay!!!!!

Homeschooling: Home where they belong!

Homeschooling= School at Home

Answer 10

No. That's my opinion, not Yahoo rules. Like it or not, Yahoo is somewhat entertaining.....My son is 16 years old and has been homeschooled all his life.
Even outside of Yahoo, or perhaps I should say in the real world, there are hateful, rude, ignorant and ridiculous people. I find it best to allow my children to see and understand these people as they are.
Most people I have actually encountered who are against homeschooling are usually ignorant of it and know little about it. Information and patience with facts are powerful weapons.....but not everyone is interested in facts:
http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/00000017.asp
In His Service,
John the Baptist
2 children who are lifelong homeschooled