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Why is homeschooling a controversial Issue?

Jawaher Yahya Almnenhali

Sharjah American International School

English class

Mrs Garin

Wednesday 6 March 2024

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Jawaher Yahya

Ms, Garine

Grade 10

Wednesday 6 March 2024

Why is Homeschooling a Controversial Issue?

Homeschooling was a controversial issue throughout the ages, now researchers are trying

to find the homeschooling laws should applied, also there trying to find a final decision of

making it legal or illegal, furthermore finding answers to questions related to homeschooling that

is need answers, for instance is homeschooling better than traditional schooling? Can a

homeschooling child obtain the social abilities needed? Should homeschooling be illegal to

normal children that does not have special abilities, disabilities, faces bullying at school, having

poor parents that cannot pay the school costs? And generally speaking, should it be illegal cause

of that there are no restrictions on the way parents teach their children’s according to Robin L.

WestIn “The Harms of Homeschooling,” it’s argued that homeschooling grants parents almost

complete autonomy in determining which subjects to teach, which curriculum materials to

utilize, and the amount of time allocated to education each day. now I can say that government

should but strict regulations to parents who teach their child due to that children and parents will

teach any things.

Important or not depending on parent's mind,

In few years about thirty years “homeschooling” way of teaching and educating has expanded:

around as Robin L. West said, In the early eighties, approximately ten thousand children were
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homeschooled. However, today, over two million children are being educated at home. It

expanded cause of the safety of their child it will be discusses more later, but of course it will be

always public schools will have more children.

In the twentieth century United States, compulsory public education was the norm. In 1964, John

Caldwell Holt published "How Children Fail," which highlighted how public schooling could

hinder a child's growth. His ideas gained traction through features in Life magazine and

appearances on television talk shows. Holt aimed to educate people about the differences

between public and private school systems, criticizing public schools for labeling students as

winners or failures in society. His book "Instead of Education" advocated for saving children

from the pitfalls of public schooling. Some parents confided in Holt that they were teaching their

children at home without the government's knowledge. In 1977, Holt founded the magazine

"Growing Without Schooling," expressing his belief that homeschooling would remain a

minority choice, with only 1 or 2% of the population opting for it. However, presently in the

United States, approximately 1.5 to 2% of students are homeschooled. Raymond and Dorothy

Moore conducted a comprehensive investigation into the negative consequences of early

childhood formal schooling. Their 1975 book "Better Late than Early" argued for delaying

formal schooling until ages eight to ten, emphasizing the need for matured senses, coordination,

neurological development, and cognition before children are ready for such programs. They also

highlighted the detrimental effects of forcing children into school at an early age.

1. Uncertainty arises when a child leaves the familiar

environment of their family home at an early age, transitioning to a

potentially less secure setting.

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2. Puzzlement occurs when a child encounters the new

pressures and restrictions of the classroom environment, which may

be unfamiliar or overwhelming.

3. Frustration emerges when a child’s developing senses,

cognition, brain hemispheres, and coordination are not yet fully

prepared to handle the structured lessons and pressures imposed by

formal education.

4. Hyperactivity can develop from heightened nerves and

jitteriness resulting from frustration.

5. Failure is a natural consequence that stems from the

experiences described above.

6. Delinquency, which often accompanies failure, appears to

arise from similar underlying causes as failure itself (Moore, 1970).

Disadvantages of homeschooling

From a survey that was taken by parents telling their opinions of

homeschooling and if some of the ways of public schooling provide

is good or not it told that the primary disadvantage of home

schooling one of it is that the parents don’t have the time to teach

their children second reason is that a range of financial concerns,

including the frustration of paying taxes for local schools without

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seeing any direct benefits, and several response that children will

not know how to be social or work with others (lack of social skills).

There are several reasons of making homeschooling is illegal in

some countries and why it is Controversial issue among parents and

government:

First children in homeschooling will be having greater risk in being

physical abuse by parents because of children being isolated and

unnoticed. As the trial judge in re Rachel noted that approximately

95% of referrals for child abuse reportedly come from public school

teachers or officials. And the privacy of parents teaching their

children may cause abuse this shields the abuser from

accountability and it is shields the child from help, when there’s no

vists or review to homeschooling.

Secondly, there's a public health concern regarding homeschooling.

While public school children are typically required to be immunized

before starting classes, many homeschooling statutes lack such

mandates. Consequently, deregulated homeschooling can exempt

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children from immunization requirements, potentially leaving them

more susceptible to preventable diseases.

Thirdly, both public and private schools often serve as supportive

environments for children, offering them individual recognition and

respect, although empirical studies confirming this observation are

lacking. While family love is essential for well-being, it can be

conditional based on familial ties. In contrast, schools ideally provide

a different form of recognition, valuing students for their attributes

and status as learners rather than solely because of their family

connections. Teachers ideally care for students as individuals and

learners, fostering a sense of equal respect among all students,

which mirrors essential aspects of citizenship within the school

community.

Additionally, parents in unregulated states have the freedom to

teach whatever they want without constraints. This can have both

positive and negative impacts. Positively, parents may choose to

teach new or essential lessons they believe their children need, or

they may focus on fundamental subjects. However, negatively,

parents might neglect important lessons and instead teach subjects

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that are unnecessary for college or work, such as skateboarding,

dancing, or playing video games.

The economic consequences of homeschooling are substantial.

While on average, homeschooling families tend to have higher

incomes compared to non-homeschoolers, there exists a subgroup

within the homeschooling community, particularly among strongly

conservative factions like the "patriarchy movement" and its

"quiverfull" offshoot, who are notably less affluent than the general

population. These families adhere to religious doctrines promoting

large families and traditional gender roles, where the wife and

mother assumes a submissive role and oversees homeschooling,

while the family relies on a single income provider. Despite the

common perception of homeschooling being associated with rural

idylls, these families often reside in more modest settings such as

trailer parks or makeshift homes. Their intergenerational lack of job

skills contributes to a decline in economic prosperity within their

communities and diminishes state tax revenue.

Addressing these challenges necessitates the implementation of

stringent regulations on homeschooling families. Enforcing such

laws would ensure compliance and mitigate the disadvantages

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associated with homeschooling. As argued by political philosopher

and homeschool critic Robert Reich, conducting curricular reviews

would empower the state to safeguard children's educational

interests, ensuring they acquire the essential skills for responsible

citizenship and are exposed to diverse perspectives and liberal

values.

Why homeschooling?

1. Customized Learning Experience: Homeschooling offers

the flexibility for parents to design a curriculum tailored to their

children’s individual needs and interests.

2. Academic Excellence: Studies indicate that homeschooled

students often achieve higher academic success compared to their

peers in traditional public schools, irrespective of socio-economic

factors.

3. Social and Emotional Well-being: Homeschooled children

typically exhibit positive self-concepts and social adjustment,

fostering healthy interactions with peers and adults.

4. Safety Assurance: Some parents opt for homeschooling

due to safety concerns in public school environments, ensuring a

secure learning atmosphere for their children.

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5. Personalized Instruction: Homeschooling enables individualized

attention, ensuring that children receive tailored support and

instruction according to their unique learning needs.

6. Adaptability in Schedule: Homeschooling offers flexibility in

scheduling, enabling families to adjust learning times to suit their

lifestyle, including travel and other commitments.

7. Enhanced Family Relationships: Homeschooling cultivates

stronger familial ties as parents and children engage in shared

learning experiences and spend more quality time together.

8. Development of Practical Skills: Homeschooling facilitates the

acquisition of essential life skills through hands-on learning and

active involvement in daily tasks and responsibilities.

9. Promotes Critical Thinking: Homeschooling encourages

children to think critically and independently, fostering creativity

and problem-solving skills through exploration and inquiry-based

learning approaches.

10. Tailored Pace of Learning: Homeschooled students can

progress at their own pace, allowing for deeper understanding

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and mastery of subjects without feeling rushed or held back by

rigid timelines.

11. Encourages Lifelong Learning: By fostering a love for

learning from an early age, homeschooling instills a lifelong

curiosity and thirst for knowledge, empowering children to

become self-directed learners beyond formal education.

12. Flexibility in Curriculum Choices: Homeschooling offers

the freedom to choose diverse and specialized curriculum

materials, including alternative educational philosophies such as

Montessori or Waldorf, to cater to individual learning styles and

preferences.

13. Opportunities for Real-world Experiences:

Homeschooling provides ample opportunities for children to

engage in experiential learning outside the classroom, such as

field trips, internships, and community service projects, enriching

their educational journey with practical application and real-world

context.

14. Encourages Parental Involvement: Homeschooling

fosters strong parental involvement in children’s education,

allowing parents to actively participate in their academic and

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personal development, leading to a deeper understanding of their

child’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning progress.

15. Cultivates Leadership and Independence:

Homeschooled children often develop strong leadership qualities

and self-discipline as they take ownership of their learning

journey, making informed decisions and taking responsibility for

their academic success.

16. Nurtures Individual Talents and Passions:

Homeschooling provides the flexibility to dedicate time and

resources to nurture children’s individual talents, interests, and

hobbies, whether it’s art, music, sports, or entrepreneurship,

fostering a well-rounded and fulfilling educational experience.

In conclusion, homeschooling has emerged as a conventional

issue in contemporary education, transcending its origins as a

niche movement. With over a million students being

homeschooled in the United States alone, it has evolved into a

mainstream alternative to traditional schooling. The reasons

behind the increasing popularity of homeschooling are diverse

and multifaceted, reflecting the varied needs and preferences of

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families. One of the key factors driving the rise of homeschooling

is the desire for personalized education. Parents are drawn to the

flexibility that homeschooling offers, allowing them to tailor the

curriculum to meet the specific needs and interests of their

children. This individualized approach fosters a deeper

engagement with learning and enables students to reach their full

academic potential. Moreover, homeschooling provides a secure

and nurturing environment for children. Safety concerns in public

schools, including issues such as crime, drug use, and bullying,

prompt many parents to opt for homeschooling as a means of

ensuring their children’s well-being. By creating a controlled

learning environment at home, parents can prioritize their

children’s safety and emotional development. Additionally,

homeschooling facilitates stronger family bonds and promotes a

sense of community among homeschooling families. The

collaborative nature of homeschooling encourages parents and

children to work together, fostering a supportive and enriching

learning environment. Families often participate in homeschooling

co-ops, support groups, and extracurricular activities, allowing for

social interaction and shared experiences. Furthermore,

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homeschooling has been associated with academic excellence.

Research suggests that homeschooled students often outperform

their peers in traditional schools on standardized tests and exhibit

higher levels of self-concept and social adjustment. This academic

success can be attributed to the personalized attention, flexible

learning schedules, and real-world learning experiences that

homeschooling affords. In light of these advantages, it is evident

that homeschooling has become a legitimate and influential force

in modern education. While it may not be the right choice for

every family, its growing acceptance and popularity underscore

its significance as a viable alternative to conventional schooling.

As homeschooling continues to evolve and adapt to the changing

educational landscape, it is essential to recognize and appreciate

its role in shaping the future of education.

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Works Cited

AUTHOR Grubb, Deborah

TITLE Homeschooling: Who and Why?

Homeschooling, Democracy, and Regulation: An Essay Review of Homeschooling Reviewed by

Michael W. Apple

Homeschooling: A Comprehensive Survey of the Research

Robert Kunzman[1] & Milton Gaither[2]

The Harms of Homeschooling by Robin L. West Alec

Evolution of Homeschooling by Aislin Davis