Should homeschooling be encouraged?
What do you think about homeschooling? Do you think that it can be beneficial or detrimental?
Yes, it's good for the kids
Side Score: 10
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No, it's bad for the kids
Side Score: 8
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4
points
I don't think it's either bad or good, but by "should it remain legal" you mean should it be made illegal? What possible reason would there be to do away with it completely? It now poses an inexpensive alternative to the public school system. Even if it could be argued that there are disadvantages to home-school versus public school, I can't think of one argument that would justify a ban on it. Side: Yes, it's good for the kids
1
point
I changed the title, you may wish to make minor alterations to your argument. And, as a dispute, I would like to point out that I was homeschooled for about eight years: Grade 2-9. It was hell. Day in and day out, primarily the only interactions that I had were with my mother, my father, and my sister (eleven years older than me). You (Ama_Deviant, can I call you 'Deviant'?) have stated before that you have very little memories of your childhood. I, on the other hand, have detailed memories of the pangs of lonliness; the drudgery of knowing not a soul but your family. Sure, my mother had some friends, and I was forced to interact with them and their children (note the use of the word forced). I would say that, given the choice between that or school, no matter the reason for homeschooling (except for health) I would recommend against homeschooling. I lost my childhood, but have mamories of my youth. P.S. The last sentance was meant more as a metaphor: I was still a child, but not able to act like one. Side: No, it's bad for the kids
2
points
I won't make any alterations because you disputed me, so I'm gonna dispute you :) I hear your discontent with homeschooling, but I want to point out a few things. First, you can call me whatever you want, but my name is Dan fyi. (Although, I like the sound of Deviant). 1) Your homeschooling experience can't be applied to all homeschooled kids. 2) Everybody's got a story that will break your heart. 3) You missed out on 7 years, but with those years you didn't miss much, (well, maybe grade 9). Had you gone to school for grade 1-7, and then were homeschooled until grade 12, I would agree. All you missed out on was coloring and teasing. (That isn't to say that you aren't at a loss, simply the fact that you feel that way gives it cause, but I promise you that the grass is greener on the other side in this case). 4) I have faced the exact opposite, my parents (as if by design) kept me a child as long as possible. My personality effectively didn't develop until I was 15. You have no idea what sort of torment I went through to regain lost time at the hands of bullies. I'm still affected by my parent's views, they gave me everything I wanted within their boundaries and I never learned to do anything for myself. I was spoonfed until I was 12. My mom brushed my teeth until I was 14. That, my friend, is child abuse. While I can't fully comprehend the depth of your emotions regarding your situation, I promise you, there are worse situations to be in. I still feel like an outcast and I've never been homeschooled. Again, not trying to take power away from how you feel about homeschool, just keep in mind that there is no such thing as an ideal childhood. Side: No, it's bad for the kids
3
points
By all means, if you wish to have children who score substantially higher on the laughable scholastic tests that seem to have become the norm, home school them.
Otherwise, send them to the government schools so they can be as ill informed and as illiterate as those being pumped out by the current government schools. No doubt they'll be adept at putting a condom on a cucumber but don't expect them to know a damn thing regarding the history of this nation nor how to balance the simplest of chemical equations. It's OK, since the latter is no longer required since all of those jobs are outsourced and farmed overseas. Should homeschooling be encouraged? Only by parents who want to have children with an IQ above 110. Otherwise? Leave them where they are in the system and you'll have your quasi-happy little know nothings pushing an IQ of 90 or so as is expected these days. Side: Yes, it's good for the kids
I feel that I must dispute you because I went to public school, and I am not ill informed or illiterate. When you weigh out the cost/benefit to keeping your kids at home, they could (and could is meant literally, not will) learn more of what you want to teach them, but they will also face numerous social problems. The child's social skills will be far behind those that were afforded the opportunity to interact with other children all day during the school season. I wonder MrManhattan, were you home schooled? My second question to you would be what is your IQ? Side: No, it's bad for the kids
What's important is that parents view educational facilities as tools. They need to consider their child's temperament and what environments best inspire curiosity and learning. There is no reason to think that you must permanently decide one or the other. Intense social interaction might not be right for your kid, depending on how they are developing. In a corpocracy, public education exists mainly to produce a more efficient batch of human resources. This opinion of mine was not gained through public education rather by independent study. What I hope to achieve with my daughter is to keep the fire of her curiosity lit. If that means pulling her out of school I am flexible enough to do that. Unfortunately for many kids, their parents don't have that option (both parents must work) or they don't think they do. On the subject of lacking social interaction, I think a valid argument is made there. (I know several home-schooled kids who I think to be underdeveloped socially) Conversely however institutionalized learning facilities are not the only place to gain those skills. Side: Yes, it's good for the kids
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I am a little discontented by the arguments so far. While yes, kids in school do get teased, I believe it teaches them about the real world. I think it is wrong to home school a child then let that same child out into the "real world" with no real world training. Children that are home schooled are generally less able to form relationships (whether social, working, or romantic) because they do not know how to deal with people. These children do not have the skills to be able to interact with groups of people. I can only imagine the trust issues that these children have. While my school years weren't the best, like most other adults, I was afforded the opportunity to learn to interact with different people, I was able to learn how to resolve conflict, I was able to learn to debate with someone I did not know. The US public school system does need reform, we do need to teach our children better, but if your position is to promote home schooling because the public school system is inadequate, my response is teach your children what you think they should learn on your own, on the weekends, during the evenings. I was in some ways lucky, I knew how to read and write by the time I was three, and I can attribute that to my mother supplying me with coloring books, crayons, and reading materials that she taught me to use. My bottom line here, no I do not think home schooling should be encouraged, I believe we would do our children more good by paying teachers better salaries, hiring those that are prepared to "teach our children", correct the school lunch program and not feed our children the same meals that prisoners are being fed, and fighting for a complete reform of the public school system. Side: No, it's bad for the kids
1
point
Perfect debate. My sentiments exactly! However, you do know that most will not agree with you? I was unfortunate enough to be homeschooled and I agree with you about the social problems. I don't recall when I learnt to read (probably about 4), but I do remember reading books and complaining to my mother that I learnt more in the half hour before school than I did all day during school. I was usually years ahead of the curriculum from all the self-teaching I was doing. Side: No, it's bad for the kids
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