PROS AND CONS OF HOMESCHOOLING
Introduction
Homeschooling is not a new concept since it has been there for many centuries. In the United States, compulsory education was established in 1647. During this period, people believe that public education could promote democracy in the country. Education is very important, and it is an integral part of everybody’s life. With the advanced technologies and changing values towards education, parents are confused about the best method of studying for their children. Therefore, parents are supposed to consider the physical abilities, personal qualities, and psychological abilities of a child. Homeschooling is individual-centered and more economical compared to public schools. With, homeschooling parents can develop an individual plan depending on the child’s skills and talents. For most people, the public education system is effective, but most parents prefer homeschooling for their children. Homeschooling is an effective method of education because students can constantly score high marks on their tests, interact with others, and become dynamic society members.
The Pros of Homeschooling
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is that it provides academic freedom. If a child is struggling with certain concepts and subjects, homeschooling is the best alternative. A parent can work and teach children these concepts before getting admitted to public schools. I remember when I was in grade four, I have difficulties in social sciences. My parents hired a teacher who taught me for three months before I went back to school. I did my national examination test, and I was ranked the best student in our class (Ray, 2017). Homeschooling enables students to learn their educational materials appropriately and at a faster rate compared to their peers who are in schools. In public schools, where there are more than twenty students in a classroom, it becomes very difficult for a teacher to address the students’ needs. It is important to note that each student has a different learning style because they can learn and understand concepts faster. In such cases, some children are left behind. For such students, homeschooling is the best teaching method because a teacher will understand the child’s learning style and the pace of the child.
Another benefit of homeschooling is that it exposes learners to different and unique experiences. Parents who have used the homeschooling curriculum state believe it encourages children to get out of the home environment and learn about history, art, and science of the real world. Homeschooling enables students to learn and experience things outside the context of the classroom. Homeschooling is more engaging and enables learners to absorb skills and knowledge (Ray, 2015). In public schools, students are supposed to sit in the classrooms all day and learn. Their teachers hardly engage them in extracurricular activities. This makes it difficult for learners to develop any life skills.
Homeschooling is characterized by the absence of violence from students and teachers. Additionally, there are no limitations on the necessity to observe some rules and rituals. It is also very easy for parents and teachers to control students’ ethical, religious, and moral views via homeschooling. It is also possible to exist on a natural biological clock. The education in homeschooling is not very rigorous compared to homeschooling. This is because children have the opportunity of relaxing at home whenever they feel tired.
Moreover, in homeschooling, the risk of children’s trauma is minimal. In case children start having problems associated with vision and posture, parents can correct them on time. Homeschooling assists children to develop their personality and bond with their parents. Some families believe studying in schools is a waste of time. The type of school, a child, attends depends on the beliefs and principles of a parent. Parents believe that the learning achievements of their children are higher at home compared to schools. Homeschooling allows children to choose the subjects they are good at. It is very important to note that homeschooling is the best option for children with special needs. For example, I have a friend who is visually impaired. Last year he attended a public school in San Diego, but his performance was very poor. Later, his parents decided to adopt homeschooling. Currently, his performance is improving because teachers can understand his learning style and pace.
The Cons of Homeschooling
Although homeschooling has some benefits, there are several reasons why it is not completely beneficial to students. When parents decide to homeschool, they take the responsibilities of a teacher and an administrator. Parents are supposed to implement lessons, organize extracurricular activities for the children, and organize meetings with other parents. These are some of the responsibilities added to the normal responsibilities of a parent. Parents also experience additional financial costs when they decide to homeschool their children. However, the government provides free resources like papers, books, computers for homeschooling (Ray, 2015). Although parents can always find ways of minimizing these costs, parents cannot escape the fact that they have to dedicate a lot of time teaching their children at home. They also risk losing their jobs and income while teaching their children at home. In this case, parents are supposed to have excellent management and budgeting skills if they plan to homeschool their children.
Socialization does not exist in homeschooling because students do not integrate with other learners. Their parents permanently control children. This is one of the major arguments against homeschooling. In homeschooling, children are isolated. Children lack certain social skills when they school. Homeschoolers lack exposure compared to their peers in public schools (Lubienski, Puckett & Brewer, 2013). These children are likely to have low self-esteem and poor academic performance. Homeschooling means fewer interactions because children have to interact with less number of students. In homeschools, students do not engage in social activities like music and sports activities.
In homeschooling, students are usually deprived of direct communication with other students. In such scenarios, children’s development is not fully attained because they can interact or socialize with others. When children are in their circle, they feel the urge to compete with others, study more, and achieve their desired performance in class. They feel special and unique (Duvall, Ward, Delquadri & Greenwood, 1997). Children are not motivated to study with homeschooling because parents and teachers concentrate on one student who can turn them into egotistical personalities. The absence of life experiences in real-life circumstances can make a child less independent in the future.
Since homeschooling is the best education technique for children with special needs, for example, those with ADHD and autism use this technique on normal children to make other children lazy and indisciplined. Parents can be forced to migrate to new towns and cities and travel a lot to homeschool their children. When children are in school, they become responsible and independent. They learn to do things single-handedly without seeking assistance from their peers and teachers (Ray, 2017). A school is a place where children are supposed to spend most of their time, and it is a critical part of their development. Sometimes the home atmosphere cannot be conducive for a child to learn, and that why schools are highly recommendable. While people believe that parents can also be good teachers to their children, it is important to note that educating children is an added responsibility. Teachers are trained to teach children, which is why it is advisable to take children to public schools.
Conclusion
Without any doubt, several concerns can be raised concerning homeschooling. People have different misconceptions about homeschooling. Although people might assume homeschooling is the best method of education, it has some demerits. From my friends’ experiences, I can conclude that homeschooling does not promote interactions between students. It is easy to imagine students studying in an isolated place with a teacher and a self-made curriculum. However, if parents are concerned about the safety of their children, homeschooling is the best option. Homeschooling provides a conducive and safe learning environment for the children. It also strengthens the relations between parents and children. Since there are certain beliefs and values children cannot be taught in public schools, parents prefer to teach their children these values at home. For children who have special needs, homeschooling is the best option.
References
Duvall, S. F., Ward, D. L., Delquadri, J. C., & Greenwood, C. R. (1997). An exploratory study of home school instructional environments and their effects on students’ basic skills with learning disabilities. Education and Treatment of Children, 20(2), 150-172.
Lubienski, C. C., Puckett, T., & Brewer, T. J. (2013). Does homeschooling “work”? A critique of the empirical claims and agenda of advocacy organizations. Peabody Journal of Education, 88(3), 378-392.
Ray, B. (2015). African American homeschool parents’ motivations for homeschooling and their Black children’s academic achievement. Journal of School Choice, 9(1), 71-96.
Ray, B. (2017). A Review of research on homeschooling and what might educators learn?. Pro-Posições, 28(2), 85-103.