Criticism of Homeschooling: How to Answer and Alleviate Those Who Question You

Parents have many different reasons for choosing to homeschool their children. No matter what those reasons are, there are always people who are critical of homeschooling. Here are some of the most commonly made criticisms of homeschooling, and answers to these criticisms.

1. Insufficient socialization: The argument is often made that children who do not attend public schools will not develop good social skills. The concern is that they will be shy and withdrawn, unable to interact with other children appropriately. People ask how they will learn to stand in line, take turns, talk to and play with others. However, is the public school setting really the best place to learn social skills? In public school, the children in a classroom are all the same age. They are expected to sit quietly during class time, and are only supposed to talk when they are asked a question or if they raise their hands to ask the teacher a question. Once kids are finished with school, will they ever be in this type of social setting again? Will they get a job working only with people their own age? Of course not. Many times I have heard teachers say something like, "Stop talking. We aren't here to socialize." If kids aren't there to socialize, then why do so many people think that kids must go to public school to learn to socialize?

Homeschoolers have a great variety of opportunities for socializing. They may interact with siblings, extended family members, church members, children at the park, children at the library story time, children and adults in a local homeschool group...the list could go on. They learn to wait in line at the grocery store, the bank, McDonald's, etc. They learn how to behave on family or homeschool group field trips to zoos, museums, factories, and a variety of other places.

The truth is, social skills are developed through real-life experiences, and taught by adult instruction and example. Homeschoolers can be taught good manners and behavior by their parents, instead of adopting the manners and behaviors of their peers. A contrived setting that will never be replicated in the "real world" is not necessary for socialization.

2. Only religious fanatics homeschool: It is often thought that people who homeschool are religious fanatics who are trying to isolate their families from the rest of the world. It is true that part of the motivation of some homeschoolers is to shelter their children from public school curricula that undermine their religious beliefs. This motivation is particularly present when children are young. It is one thing for a high school student to deal with teachings at school that contradict the spiritual beliefs that he or she has been taught, but it is entirely different to expect a 6- or 7-year-old child to handle such a situation. So, there are some parents who have religious reasons for homeschooling their children. This fact does not, however, imply that they are trying to isolate themselves, or build a religious bunker like David Koresh!

There are also a lot of homeschoolers who are not Christian. There are homeschoolers who are not religious at all. There are homeschoolers who call themselves pagan. Homeschooling appeals to a wide variety of parents for many different reasons.

3. Parents are not qualified to teach: Teachers who teach in public schools spend a lot of time and money to earn a college degree and a teaching certificate. They have to meet specific requirements to be allowed to teach in public schools. These requirements have led to the belief that a person has to have special teacher training in order to teach. There are a lot of public school teachers who are very good at what they do. However, it is not necessary to have a teaching certificate to be a good teacher. Parents were teaching their children academic skills long before there were public schools or teaching certificates. Who wants to tell Abraham Lincoln's parents that they were not qualified to homeschool?

Parents know their own children better than anyone else. They can tailor the education of each child to his or her strengths and needs. They can provide what public school teachers can not-one on one instruction as often as needed, and small group instruction the rest of the time. Homeschooling parents can go as fast or as slow through material as the child needs to go.

There are an amazing number of resources available for homeschoolers. You can find everything from basic ideas and suggestions, to complete curricula that include everything you need (including all the answers!). There are also umbrella schools and virtual schools that some homeschooling parents choose to use, in which certified teachers are available to help if needed. Yes, it will take a lot of time, research, studying, and hard work to be able to teach your children. But, it is something that parents can do!

4. Children will be unprepared for college: It is also thought that homeschooling will not prepare students for entering college. However, evidence to the contrary is becoming more abundant. According to an Associated Press article by Alan Scher Zagier, more colleges and universities are "actively courting" homeschooled students. In the past, admissions officers were generally skeptical of homeschoolers. One admissions director now says that homeschooled students are often equipped with desirable assets such as intellectual curiosity, independent study habits, and critical thinking skills. (Alan Scher Zagier, "Home-schoolers Hot Commodities," The Modesto Bee, http://www.modbee.com/life/buzzz/story/12884191p-13549327c.html.)

There are many homeschooled students who successfully complete a college education. There is no magic that occurs in public schools to prepare kids for college. There has actually been more talk recently about the fact that many students are coming out of public high schools unprepared for college.

Children who are homeschooled can certainly develop appropriate social skills and receive a great education from their parents. They can be well prepared for college, or for whatever they choose to do after completing their high school education. Homeschooling is simply another option that parents have for educating their children, and is a successful alternative to public schools despite the criticisms that are put forth by some. Understanding the facts about homeschooling can help alleviate these criticisms.