The Downside to Homeschooling

To every opinion, there is an opposite side. While some see homeschooling as a definite plus to teaching children, many things about it can also keep back a child in various ways. Below are several ways that homeschooling is a hinder on a child and their learning. There are many, many things that children can learn at home only, along with many things that children can only learn through public or private institutions. While this list is incomplete, as with each person they can come up with their own reason why this home schooling is bad, it is a good idea of what some children may miss out on because of homeschooling.

Social Interaction

This is the big one. Children, just like adults, need socialization. It's not a maybe in the least. Children need to socialize with their own age groups or they won't know how to react to these situations when they are around others. It teaches them to literally see eye to eye and above all else, how to share with those their own age. These are lessons that can only be learned properly hands on. Yes, socializing with adults can be very beneficial, since people don't always talk with solely their own age group. Children need to learn how to speak to those who aren't their parents. Children also learn how to be children with others, by playing and utilizing their imaginations. Something parents can only minimally do at home - even with other children. This also includes being in sports in school where teamwork is taught and utilized.

Lessons

While homeschooling can be beneficial to a child and learning, it also can be frustrating to both parent and child. While you have a basic outline that's a school year for home schooling, sometimes kids fall behind or advance in homeschooling and it can be just as frustrating as regular school. It can be quite difficult to determine if you are getting the right amount of lessons down so that your child is not over worked. Plus, especially if the child is older, there are some things you may not be able to teach - or teach properly. Home schooling teachers can not be excellent in every subject, even if they strive to be. There's bound to be at least one subject the parent can not teach a child as well as a teacher, meaning the child may fall behind unless the parent has someone else to come in and teach.

Dances

This one can be pretty depressing for teenagers. Schools are reknown for having friday night dances after school. Different organizations in the school host these for fundraisers, such as cheerleading and student council. Home schooled children don't get the opportunities to be invited to school dances regularly unless they have friends in the local school district. Even then, the kids must be signed in and it can be a hassle. Why? Most sign in sheets ask for school visiting from and there was a time when I was back in school that the teachers would not let in a kid if they were home schooled. Now, some schools allow home schooled students to participate in some of the after school activities, but more often than not, going to prom and dances are only dreams unless they get invited elsewhere.

Graduation

This was something I looked forward to in high school. Being in a cap and gown at a graduation ceremony with lots of pomp and circumstance. Listening to the valedictorian speak about lessons learned and wishes for the future and then walking up to a podium, shaking a few hands and walking proudly away with my diploma securely in hand. However, if your child is homeschooled, they miss out on this important rite of passage. Instead of a cap, gown and tassle, they get a diploma and that's about it. Sure they can have the graduation party with a family, lots of food and celebration, however, they also miss out on all the invites to classmates grad parties. This can be quite depressing to the young adult, especially if they don't have many friends due to being home taught.

There are many other cons to why homeschooling may not be the best course for any parent to take, however, it is a choice that is respected no matter what the decision is. Some children benefit greatly from being home schooled, just as some miss out because of it. Whatever the choice is, best of luck to all involved in the learning process. For all it should be a learning experience.