Homeschooling is one of the most misunderstood institutions in the world as we know it. Many people are misinformed by the powers that be, that homeschooling is not good for children. What they share are mostly myths and fallacies. When I had my first child I dreamed of homeschooling. I imagined studying world history with my kids as we actually traveled it…taking in the ancient pyramids of Egypt or the visiting the Colosseum in Rome. Well, it didn’t exactly work out like that. My oldest had many health problems and when it came time for him to go to school according to the public school schedule, he had so little socialization under his belt it was sad. I think I could count one hand how many times he had “played” with another child and have fingers left over. Since kindergarten is supposed to be about fun and games I decided to let him go to public kindergarten and live it up. He had a blast too. Then he wanted to continue going to public school which as you may recall from previous posts is not the same bed of roses and we will be homeschooling for second grade.
Despite the fact I did not hoemschool I very much supported it and it really angers me when I see people spouting off about how homeschool kids lack social skills, are falling behind in math and sciences, can’t get into college or are being indoctrinated by Bible thumping, prejudiced parents. The last one is really common and it bugs me the most. I am not particularly religious and not a bit prejudiced about other races and nationalities. If anything I want to homeschool because I feel the opposite is true and I want my kids exposed to all different kinds of people and many different belief systems. There is something seriously wrong with any institution that says you can only find truth and knowledge here.
How does one debunk those homeschooling myths? Let’s examine a few and consider the facts of each.
Myth: Homeschool children are not socialized
In his book, The Hurried Child, Dr. Raymond Moore writes, “”The idea that children need to be around many other youngsters in order to be ‘socialized is perhaps the most dangerous and extravagant myth in education and child rearing today.”
The truth is that a homeschooled child who is around his parents and siblings more than other peers are more self-confident, respect themselves more, and, feels more worthy than those who are bothered with peer pressure on a daily basis in traditional school. Children model behaviors that they see. Do you want your children modeling the behavior of their peers because that is what they are most commonly exposed to 9 months of the year?
The homeschool community is very good at providing activities for homeschooled children and families. There are sports associations, theatre arts groups, teen circles, books clubs, and more. And just like traditionally educated children, homeschool kids have friends who they hang out with too. Why so many people don’t “get” that is beyond me.
Myth: Homeschoolers Can’t Get Into College
In the past this may have been true, but today many colleges welcome homeschool students. Homeschoolers are eligible to apply for any college they wish to attend. The fact is a homeschooler can attain the credits, grades, and all the necessary requirements it takes to get into college.
There are many colleges that do not look for a diploma or GED for admissions requirements from a homeschooler. They are looking for capable, motivated learners, and responsible people to attend their schools. Colleges like Brown, Harvard, Princeton, Georgetown, and MIT accept homeschoolers because they see the students have great leadership skills, a strong work ethic, and stronger moral values.
There is no need to fear that a homeschooler can’t get into college when there are over 1400 colleges who accept them.
Myth: Parents Need to Have Credentials to Teach
The fact is that a parent does not need a teaching degree to homeschool because children learn in so many different ways. Traditional schools tend to focus on teaching one type of child; the auditory learner; and credentialed teachers are trained to teach in this manner. The homeschooling parent for the more part focuses on teaching according to the needs of the individual child.
When it come to teaching the child a homeschool parent has many options such as online charter schools, guided curriculum, homeschool co-ops where parents work together to teach children, and tutoring. I know if there is ANYTHING my child wants to learn that I cannot teach I will connect them with the resources they need. In that sense you are more like a learning facilitatior than a teacher.
With the homeschool family, the sky is the limit when it comes to teaching. There is no set way of learning for the homeschooled child.
Debunk the myths of homeschooling by being wise and knowing for yourself the truths about homeschooling. And when someone says something that you know is not true, enlighten them with the facts.
I love this post because I have heard everyone of these. The only one missing is, “This is fine for elementary school, but you will put them in school for middle and/or high school?” I answer that one with, “We will take each year as it comes.”
The one about socialization always makes me laugh. We send kids to school to socialize them and then immediately tell them that they are not allowed to talk to each other during class. So I guess by socialization, people mean that kids need to learn to stand in line quietly. One trip to the bank and my kids had that one nailed.
And when it comes to the idea that we homeschool because we don’t want to integrate our family in to society, I just laugh. We are a transracial family. I am always telling people, “Yes we homeschool, but not in a live off the grid kind of way.” My kids interact with more of society than any kid sitting in a school for 8 hours with people solely from their own geographic and socio-economic background.
I’ve seen both sides of the coin, traditional school (with my oldest daughter) and homeschool. For us, homeschool is the way to go.
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I’ve heard all of those, too, and eventually stopped being offended by them and just brushed them off as unintentional ignorance. I got fed up with the limitations of public school and started “unschooling” my kids when one was in 3rd grade and the other in 7th. After being unschooled for three years, my oldest took and passed his GED at 16 yrs old and was accepted into college for the fall term. And my daughter has a busier social life than I do between martial arts, the Boys + Girls Club and other activities.
We’re secular and I, too, have always been most offended by the religious assumptions. We’ve had a blast unschooling and the difference in how much I’ve gotten to know my kids this way vs. sending them off somewhere else for 8-10 hours a day (as much as 12 if you count after-school care) is the coolest thing ever.
Great post! I home school my kids and I’m a credentialed teacher. I would say that the credentials really aren’t necessary. Most of what I learned in teaching school was how to manage a classroom and this isn’t really an issue with homeschooling.
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Thank you for working to de-bunk these myths!
Amen, sister! I am totally on board with homeschooling. In fact, I just posted on my own blog about an excellent book called “Better Than School”. It is a great read.
In Romania the public school system is going downhill so fast it’s shocking. Even if our society is not open to something like this, i consider home-schooling to be now a great idea. A good kid will develop nicely in any enviroment, be it at home or at school. As long as us, as parents, take care they’ll learn and develop nicely. All the rest is just excuse. Excellent article and blog ;)
Thanks for the encouragement. I am the product of homeschooling, graduated from a top state university with a 3.7 GPA and had the time of my life growing up as such. I had more time to play with friends & siblings, interact with ALL ages people, and receive a better education than many of my public schooled friends. I also taught school after college and must say that I was greatly disappointed in what I saw there. I mostly provided crowd control during class, with the actual “work” having to be sent home to complete. Now, fast forward a few years, and one child later, I plan on homeschooling him without giving it a second thought!
I can see both sides. I went to a small public high school where I was provided a rigorous academic setting. I realize it is not like that everywhere, but I had an excellent educational experience in public school.
My husband was home schooled (and went to a Division I Top 100 University, where he played basketball on scholarship… how’s that for debunking myths). Homeschooling worked for him and his parents because they traveled a lot and it allowed them to stay together rather than spending a lot of time apart. Plus, his parents were not happy with some of the “other” things he and his bros were picking up on (cursing, etc). They wanted to model good behavior, and it appears to have worked.
Most likely our son will be going to a private school. My career provides the benefits and a stable income, and while my husband is bright, he does not want to teach the boy, which leaves us with public or private school. We don’t like the public schools near where we live now, so private it is.
BTW– we recently returned to the US from Germany, where homeschooling is not allowed. At age 6, all children must be enrolled in Kindergarten somewhere (public or private).
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Wow I just stumbled across your blog while doing a search for vintage Pyrex dishes…what a find! I completely agree with this post. I will be 30 in July and was home schooled from 3rd grade through HS graduation (at the age of 16) I took some time off and then went on to get my BA in Political Science from a great ACC university. Growing up, my parents asked me each year if I wanted to go to public school and each year i made a list of pros and cons, always deciding on home school. I like the model of letting your kids go to public K-5 through 1st or second grade because it gives them an idea of what “school” is and how it differs from everyday life. When our (future) kids are old enough I am thinking this is the route we will take.
Great blog! Can’t wait to check out the other posts!
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I think homeschooling on average when done properly lets the child test better. But at the cost of social skills.
Hi Tiffany! I’ve commented before on homeschooling and I see both sides of the coin and I’m a teacher. I agree with you about both of these myths but I’ve seen both sides. I’ve seen kids not be very social because they’re parent doesn’t get them out to join activities, clubs or do community service. I agree, it isn’t the majority. Most homeschooled children I’ve met and interacted are very social. As for the children not getting into college, I’ve actually heart the exact opposite. Most children I know were ready to graduate sooner and accepted into some great colleges with higher state or national tests. I have the concern that most do about parents not being able to teach their children but if they can get the help, network and seek help when needed on topics or subject then I don’t think they need a degree. Great post, as always.
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I’m a regular reader of your blog, and first want to thank you for the natural deoderant (Miessence) reccomendation. I believe that all parents, if they are appropriately involved w/ their children, are homeschoolers. But I choose to send my girls to a public elementary school for part of the day. They learn a lot there, but not everything. The majority of kids in our country do not have parents qualified or willing to tackle the challenges of homeschooling and/or cannot afford a private education. We want our children to understand how vitally important public education is as a part of our nation’s culture and future. It is most people’s only choice. We are the parents in the community that are stepping up to the plate and making school a good place to be with our kids. There is amazing socio-economic diversity in our neighborhood (blue ribbon) school, and I have yet to find a home or private school that can replicate this environment for the girls. It is a crucial part of their upbringing as socially empathetic citizens. I still consider myself a homeschooler: just not all day.
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After working as a substitute teacher in the public schools when I was fresh out of college, I realized I couldn’t send my future kids there. I plan on homeschooling my 9 month old when (as?) she grows up.
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Great post, thank you!
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Thank you for “debunking”-it was fabulous! I plan on homeschooling my 2 year old and I just know I will get flack from my family as they will refer to all the myths described here. I will continue to read your blog and all others that will define the facts concerning this topic, as I want to be prepared for the onslaught. Again, Thank you!
I was first turned-on to homeschooling when I read your post about unschooling. Now, my preschooler and I are going to “start” unschooling at the end of this week when she’s finally done with her preschool program. I’m excited!
I’m reading a book called “The Well-Adjusted Child” about socialization and how it relates to homeschooling. It’s a great read for anyone who’s asking the socialization question.
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