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Homeschooling[W:199]

Homeschooling


  • Total voters
    67
Re: Homeschooling

Sure, you could have, but if it hadn't been for Vauge who constructed the website and paid for the upkeep you would have had to find another way to do it. So I guess you could call it a community effort.

So what about women that got boob jobs and keep themselves in shape down at the gym? You know, they couldn't have got to the gym without using roads paid by the rest of us and that plastic surgeon the rest of us paid to educate. They didn't get hot on their own. :mrgreen:
 
Re: Homeschooling

I think position B) has an incredible amount of merit, and homeschoolers usually don't learn it. That's not to say they can't, if the parents make a sufficient effort to do it, but the vast majority don't. The fact is that the degree of socialization you get in school is hard to replace when just one or two people are trying to cart you around by themselves.

I know two homeschooled people well.

One believes homeschooling actually ruined her life for this reason. She had to spend years in therapy and re-socializing herself to function at any kind of adult level, which she didn't achieve until her late 20's.

The other guy I know is now in his 30's, and is so poorly socialized that he is perpetually moving down the age bracket in his friendships and relationships. They are all in the 17 to 22 range, and they all drop him once they get older than that because he is so immature and so poor at communication. He even dresses like a teenager. He's frozen in a place most of us grew out of in mid-high school, and he does attribute this to homeschooling, although he has little desire to change it, it seems.

Again, is it possible to cover B) while homeschooling? Sure. But it seems to be that very few people do.

And for my two cents? As an eccentric who seems to be affected by the injustice of how some treat others and the world the way most people are affected by a physical whipping, I don't think I ever would have been able to function at all if I had not been constantly dealing with socialization all through my childhood. I hated most of it, but there's no way I could have dealt with adulthood if I hadn't been practicing every single day when the stakes were low and I always had a place to retreat.

While I would say that most of the homeschoolers I know (myself included) are a bit more on the quiet and socially awkward side of things than their peers, I don't think I know of anyone quite so screwed up by the experience as what you're describing here. Frankly, if they even came close to it, it was usually because they already had some kind of underlying issue unrelated to homeschooling to begin with.

To be honest, I actually kind of have to wonder if there might be some element of confirmation bias involved in this particular stereotype. After all, having a child with "special needs" of some sort is a major part of the reason why many parents choose to homeschool in the first place. Likewise, I've found that people are usually only really interested in asking or speculating about a person's educational background if they already perceive that person to be noticeably "socially abnormal" in some fashion as well.

I, for instance, have been told more than once that I "don't act like homeschooler" by various people I've met. I also tend to gravitate towards a circle of friends who are a few years older than myself.

My younger brother is more of the "homeschool stereotype" as far as social skills (or lack thereof) are concerned. However, I also pretty strongly suspect that he might have some form of undiagnosed high-functioning autism or aspergers. He's honestly a bit of an odd ball even the standards of our family. :lol:

My sisters are both pretty normal, with no real social issues to speak of. Frankly, it's a bit too soon to tell with the youngest, as he's only 10.

I agree with you A) is bull****, and most schools encourage A). That's where the parents come in. I essentially went to two schools: normal school, which was mostly just to socialize me and make sure I knew the basics of bureaucracy. And then whatever my dad could manage afterwards -- my deeper forms of knowledge, and how to resist A).

So normal school is certainly not a perfect solution -- it can be damaging in its own right. But, presumably, whoever would have been the homeschool teacher stays home, so they can afford to do this. My dad worked. I have no idea how he pulled it off.

Homeschooling was actually the major reason why my mother chose to stay home. It was her idea to pursue it, and she basically made it into her personal career.

I'm pretty sure that she had an absolute blast doing it as well. While she wasn't always the most disciplined educator, she spent more time researching curriculum and planning various field trips than most full time professional teachers while we were growing up. lol

Well actually you've touched on quite possibly the most awesome thing about being home schooled (for the religious, ideological reasons I've mentioned before): being home schooled means never being wrong. Gays brought down the Roman Empire? Bam, it's true. There were no laws against rape, murder or theft before Christianity? True. Marriage isn't listed as a right in the constitution? True. Obama is a Muslim? True. When you're a home schooled Christian, you're always right, and you win every debate.

The kind of rigid intellectual authoritarianism you're describing here isn't any less common in people the public educational system churns out.

Hell! Among a lot of twenty-somethings in the "enlightened" urban Liberal progressive crowd, I'd actually say that it's far worse. I've known plenty of those people who are so used to living in their own little "ideological bubbles" that they get almost violently angry simply to discover that opinions different than their own exist at all.
 
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Re: Homeschooling

I have mixed feelings about Homeschool. Typically and historically the public system has had more experience at gradually building a basic learning foundation for young minds. Their subjects were relevant and the instruction methods based on successful techniques. But as society changed, schools became more crowded and standards reduced, if a parent(s) has the adequate time, ability and resources, they could provide an improved education. But that usually isn't going to be the case, because of the skills required to teach.

For me it took public schools and my parents life lessons to have any hope, especially since I was also learning challenged. Which in my case the right kind of private tutoring could've been much better.
 
Re: Homeschooling

It seems that homeschool is often the last resort of the deeply religious to keep their children from learning anything about the world around them, either in terms of science, politics, economics, sexuality, medicine, or human behavior, so that they can never make an informed decision as to whether to adhere to the religious precepts of their parents or not.

Or, you know, "avoid Liberal/socialist brainwashing of the public schools". Basically the same thing.

We have one home-schooled member on this forum that's (mostly) the exception to everything I'm about to say.

Homeschooling is mostly for the benefit of preventing children from learning things like evolution or any associated "liberal" ideas. The only way to achieve this is, sadly, to permanently dismantle any ability to demonstrate critical thinking, one of the results of which is that logical fallacies are not only to be expected but celebrated. While such home schooled kids tend to be superior in reading, writing and arithmetic, their lack of critical thinking and hostility to science (particularly, scientific concepts deemed to be threatening to their faith) results in something that is a heartbeat away from child abuse, in my opinion. Their permanently misshapen brains make them unsuited to interacting with the world outside of their tiny, religious communities.

Oh, ask a home schooled person their thoughts on history, and you'll get all sorts of crap like, "Christians invented law" or "The gays brought down the Roman Empire." It's a hoot.

I'm both worried and in agreement with this seeming idea/trend.

On the one hand, i agree that some people use homeschooling to avoid the "brainwashing".
But on the other hand, as someone who was homeschooled through high school (and the negatives and positives therein) I worry that people consider ALL homeschooled persons to be...also brainwashed...except into religion.

And I know for damn sure that, even though my parents ARE very religious, they DIDN'T indoctrinate me into a religion.
But I fear that they were either a good or at least acceptable example of homeschooling gone right.
They encouraged me to think for myself.

That was probably the key.

Their worry (and reason for homeschooling) was based in concern about the culture and dangers of public school (mainly drugs, several of my mother's siblings have/had issues in that department).

Despite avoiding indoctrination into religion, they DID provide unwitting (I think) indoctrination into conservatism. I have slowly been realizing that some of my "known" positions were not based in reality. Or only partially so. I can recall traveling to a music class or some even while listening to the local talk radio station. Specifically Rush Limbaugh.

But they still taught me to think for myself. And after realizing lack of supporting evidence for some of my positions, that has helped me form new positions.

------------------------

But

I don't think it's really homeschooling or public schooling (barring extremes) that determines the result.

Rather, it is parental involvement. Even if a child is sent to public school, an involved parent could easily indoctrinate their child if they so desired.

Conversely, a non-involved parent could easily allow their child to be indoctrinated by whatever educational method they are working in, whether they agree with it or not.

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I should note that I do consider public schools to have a vague liberal/left lean. And I would bet that there ARE some individual examples of actual attempts to indoctrinate a class, by teachers. Perhaps even entire schools.

Those are, however, the exceptions that prove the rule (that doesn't really make sense, though, stupid statement...meh)


I stop now.
 
Re: Homeschooling

Clarification:

My main quibble with my homeschooling experience is that it lacked much of the socialization aspect public school has.

I was and to some extent still am badly adjusted socially.
 
Re: Homeschooling

Clarification:

My main quibble with my homeschooling experience is that it lacked much of the socialization aspect public school has.

I was and to some extent still am badly adjusted socially.

I'm not taking a cheap shot here, but what makes you believe that you would not be badly socially adjusted if you had gone to school.

I've spent most of my educational years around badly socially adjusted nerds. Almost every single one of these dudes went to public or private schools.
 
Re: Homeschooling

I'm not taking a cheap shot here, but what makes you believe that you would not be badly socially adjusted if you had gone to school.

I've spent most of my educational years around badly socially adjusted nerds. Almost every single one of these dudes went to public or private schools.
That is a point.

I'm not sure whether it is accurate or not in this case...

You could say...I'm too close to the problem...*sunglasses*
 
Re: Homeschooling

Not with the deliberateness that homeschooling does. And here's the important thing: after I've been taught factually incorrect things, I'm still able to look back and say "Oh. Well that certainly turned out to be a load of crap, didn't it?" Homeschoolers consistently lack the self reflection and critical thinking skills to do this. They're taught solely to break down opposing beliefs, and reject that there's any reason or legitimacy to do the same for their own.

I am not sure what you are basing this on, but it is not at all consistent with my observations and experience. What is your source for these assertions?
 
Re: Homeschooling

I am not sure what you are basing this on, but it is not at all consistent with my observations and experience. What is your source for these assertions?

Every personal interaction (save one) with a homeschooler on an online forum. In case you haven't seen this disclaimer (the same one I've made about a hundred times now), I'm specifically referring to parents who homeschool their children for religious and ideological reasons.
 
Re: Homeschooling

Every personal interaction (save one) with a homeschooler on an online forum. In case you haven't seen this disclaimer (the same one I've made about a hundred times now), I'm specifically referring to parents who homeschool their children for religious and ideological reasons.
So, you are taking a small sample of a large group, and painting them all to look like fringe religious fanatics?
 
Re: Homeschooling

Every personal interaction (save one) with a homeschooler on an online forum. In case you haven't seen this disclaimer (the same one I've made about a hundred times now), I'm specifically referring to parents who homeschool their children for religious and ideological reasons.
In a way, aren't ANY reasons ideological in nature?
 
Re: Homeschooling

Every personal interaction (save one) with a homeschooler on an online forum. In case you haven't seen this disclaimer (the same one I've made about a hundred times now), I'm specifically referring to parents who homeschool their children for religious and ideological reasons.

What about Catholic school? Greek school? Muslim school? They are all indoctrinating their belief set in children's minds. Do you have a problem with them as well?
 
Re: Homeschooling

What about Catholic school? Greek school? Muslim school? They are all indoctrinating their belief set in children's minds. Do you have a problem with them as well?

I liked your other profile picture better :2wave:
 
Re: Homeschooling

I liked your other profile picture better :2wave:

:lol: Sorry, I have a terrible crush on Adrian Brody. I just changed this for a friend, but my willpower has faded and now I have to have him back.
 
Re: Homeschooling

What about Catholic school? Greek school? Muslim school? They are all indoctrinating their belief set in children's minds. Do you have a problem with them as well?

I'm confused. Based on everything I've already said, why do you think I'm more inclined to give them a free pass?
 
Re: Homeschooling

I suppose "too far from a public school" doesn't really count as an ideological reason.

Not really, nor does "our public school is a demilitarized zone."
 
Re: Homeschooling

:lol: Sorry, I have a terrible crush on Adrian Brody. I just changed this for a friend, but my willpower has faded and now I have to have him back.

He was really able to showcase his acting chops in Predators.
 
Re: Homeschooling

I'm confused. Based on everything I've already said, why do you think I'm more inclined to give them a free pass?

I am asking you - you seem to have issue with Christian-based lesson plans, so I just want to know if you feel the same way about others? Just curious. Don't get your knickers in a twist. Because it seems that a lot of people have problems with allowing Christians to do something, but when it comes to other religious groups, it's OK.
 
Re: Homeschooling

I have not responded to the poll because, with respect, the options tend to be too absolute (such as thinking homeschooling is dumb). Home schooling is not popular in either the UK or Australia, but I have met one person who was home schooled, and while 'a single swallow does not a summer make', he was not a good advertisement for the system. I will qualify this by pointing out that he was part of a fundamentalist religious sect, so I doubt he was representative of the breed.

I have two problems with coming to any definitive view on homeschooling. The first being that I went to Public School (note the capitalisation - it means something different in the UK from what it means in the USA). The teachers were very highly qualified (few did not hold a doctorate in the discipline they taught) and by and large, both proficient and unbiased. (My school has the highest academic record in the UK - and has had for a couple of hundred years.) I was not therefore aware of the 'political agenda' - liberal or otherwise - of the education system to which I was subjected. I was aware of having available to me a master in whatever discipline I was studying, and to whom I could refer (outside class) with any issues therein which troubled me.

The second problem flows on from the first, inasmuch as I consider the cumulative effect of so many highly qualified teachers in all disciples to be difficult to replicate in the average well-educated household consisting of two adults, whose economic responsibilities might preclude them spending all day educating their children (assuming they are adequately qualified to do so right up to university entrance level).

I can see why the religiously fundamental might want to shield their children from what they see as overly secular influences, but I can also see why the German state has made public education mandatory. It is my view that parents should not have sole responsibility (and carte blanche) as to how their children are informed about the world in which they must live. A very wise man once wrote - "Your children come through you, not from you ..." We are not the property of our parents to indoctrinate as they wish.
 
Re: Homeschooling

I'm confused. Based on everything I've already said, why do you think I'm more inclined to give them a free pass?

How do you feel about Women's Colleges and Historically Black Colleges?
 
Re: Homeschooling

I have not responded to the poll because, with respect, the options tend to be too absolute (such as thinking homeschooling is dumb). Home schooling is not popular in either the UK or Australia, but I have met one person who was home schooled, and while 'a single swallow does not a summer make', he was not a good advertisement for the system. I will qualify this by pointing out that he was part of a fundamentalist religious sect, so I doubt he was representative of the breed.

I have two problems with coming to any definitive view on homeschooling. The first being that I went to Public School (note the capitalisation - it means something different in the UK from what it means in the USA). The teachers were very highly qualified (few did not hold a doctorate in the discipline they taught) and by and large, both proficient and unbiased. (My school has the highest academic record in the UK - and has had for a couple of hundred years.) I was not therefore aware of the 'political agenda' - liberal or otherwise - of the education system to which I was subjected. I was aware of having available to me a master in whatever discipline I was studying, and to whom I could refer (outside class) with any issues therein which troubled me.

The second problem flows on from the first, inasmuch as I consider the cumulative effect of so many highly qualified teachers in all disciples to be difficult to replicate in the average well-educated household consisting of two adults, whose economic responsibilities might preclude them spending all day educating their children (assuming they are adequately qualified to do so right up to university entrance level).

I can see why the religiously fundamental might want to shield their children from what they see as overly secular influences, but I can also see why the German state has made public education mandatory. It is my view that parents should not have sole responsibility (and carte blanche) as to how their children are informed about the world in which they must live. A very wise man once wrote - "Your children come through you, not from you ..." We are not the property of our parents to indoctrinate as they wish.

If you believe that you, as a voter, have the right to exert your opinion on how I, a parent, educate my child, then doesn't this privilege also come with a responsibility? Can the parents send you a bill for a portion of their home, a portion of their food budget, a portion of their clothing expenses, and for all of the other costs that they incur in raising their children?
 
Re: Homeschooling

I am asking you - you seem to have issue with Christian-based lesson plans, so I just want to know if you feel the same way about others? Just curious. Don't get your knickers in a twist. Because it seems that a lot of people have problems with allowing Christians to do something, but when it comes to other religious groups, it's OK.

The Christian example is the one I focused on because I live in the United States, we have mostly American members, and Christians are the majority religion. It would not surprise me in the least if you told me that Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish or Zoroastrian families were doing the same things with the same negative consequences.

And my knickers aren't in a twist. My middle name is Cucumber, as in "cool as a."
 
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Re: Homeschooling

The Christian example is the one I focused on because I live in the United States, we have mostly American members, and Christians are the majority religion. It would not surprise me in the least if you told me that Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish or Zoroastrian families were doing the same things with the same negative consequences.

And my knickers aren't in a twist. My middle name is Cucumber, and in "cool as a."

:lol:
 
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