If a survey by the National Center For Education Statistics is to be believed, almost
1.1 million children took home schooling in 2005 alone. That is a lot of children. Not so
long ago, homeschooling used to be an extreme statement - something like a declaration of
independence.
It was the conservative Christians who advocated homeschooling in the '80s and legalized
it in every State. But the typical homeschooler of today is not religiously motivated.
More recent surveys show that parents are actually fed up with the public school system
where much of the learning is superficial and compulsory. They are also concerned about
the negative environment in school, ranging from drugs and abuse to negative peer
pressure.
As a result, we have a surprising mix of people who form the homeschooling world of today.
They cut across all religious creeds and all regional borders. Their chief goal is
providing meaningful and productive education through a means that strengthens the bond
between all the members of the family.
All these families have one main thing in common - a long enduring commitment to the
sanctity of childhood. The children of these families are accorded a primary position.
Many believe, and, I think, rightly so, that home schooling allows parents to bring up
their children in a more natural and caring environment.
Public schools can make a child anxious, diffident and downright mean. Children who
receive their education at home are protected from these damaging, negative influences
until they reach an age where they can deal with them.
Home-schooling draws the whole family into the almost religious task of teaching. Everyone
is put to work. Both the parents together form a bond with the children. Any experience
can be turned into an learning experience. Both the parents are aware of exactly what is
going on in their child's education.
Parents also have a greater say over the kind of religious and moral values that the child
is taught. Even watching a film together can become an educational experience. Trips to
the libraries, zoos, museums and other places become educational as well as recreational.
A home-schooling family is primarily dependent on the income of one earning member. That
means that quite often outgoings have to be curtailed and proper planning of expenditure
is a must. This helps to bring the family members together and everybody gets involved in
the process of saving money.
Just having a parent at home to supervise, to nurture and to care for the children brings
with it a lot of love and caring. Even the husband chips in and there is just no room for
boredom.
Yes, problems still do occur, and there will be a lot of misgivings in your mind, but when
you know that your kids can always count on you, and your kids know it too, then
homeschooling becomes a richly rewarding experience.
