Homeschooling Advantages and Disadvantages

Homeschooling is a non traditional type of schooling where the parents are the teachers. This idea of education is becoming more and more common in the United States, mainly due to the compromised integrity of the public school systems today. While direct teaching from the government is not involved, they do still have a say in the curriculum and criteria that homeschooled children must meet. This is in place to ensure that they do not fall behind from a lack of parent’s efforts. The argument over this type of schooling is very heated, and people are typically passionate for one way or the other. To best understand the issues and benefits that are gained from homeschooling, you need to truly understand all of the advantages and disadvantages that it poses.

Advantages of Homeschooling

1. Puts You In Control
Homeschooling your child puts you in complete control over what they learn (to an extent) and when they learn it. This is great for students who have special learning needs or many varying interests.

2. Build Bonds With Your Children
The extreme one on one time that you have with your children when you home school them is amazing. It allows you to be a deep part of their entire life, building a very strong bond.

3. Fits Your Schedule
You are able to fit education and schooling around your own families schedule instead of the school’s. This is a great benefit for anyone who has demanding jobs, travels often, or has obligations during the day that would normally interfere with normal school hours.

4. Focus On The Strengths
All children excel at different things, some love music, others math. Homeschooling lets you tailor your child’s education to what they are best at and most passion about. Public schools do not have the resources or teachers needed to do this.

5. Shielded From Negative Influences
Public schools are filled with all sorts of children from all types of backgrounds. There is no way to have control over what a child is exposed to when they are in public schools.

6. Corresponds With Your Beliefs
Religion is not a part of the public school curriculum, which may confuse a child who is raised in a religious household.

7. Comfort In Safety
With your child at home, you are positive that they are safe. There are many things that can happen in schools, like shootings or fires, and are happening more and more in today’s world.

Disadvantages of Homeschooling

1. Social Boundaries
Children in traditional schools get at least 30 hours a week of interaction with kids their own age, this is a vital part of them developing the social skills they need for the future. Kids that are homeschooled do not get this same interaction.

2. Children Overload
While bonding with and spending time with your children is a fantastic thing, not having any form of break is not. It can lead to frustration among the parents and children.

3. High Cost
The materials that you need to efficiently teach your children the things they need to be taught can be expensive. If you are considering home schooling you have to accept the fact that you will begin to spend much more on your child’s education than you are used to.

4. It’s A Full Time Job
There is no break from being your child’s teacher. Along with being their teacher you must also be their parent. This can be a lot for people to take on. You must encourage your children even when you do not feel encouraged yourself.

5. Lack Of Resources
Schools have auditoriums, clubs, gyms, libraries, and many other great resources for the students to use. Home schooled children have a much smaller set of resources to utilize in their education and development.

Important Facts About Homeschooling

  • There are nearly 2 million home schooled children in the United States.
  • Homeschooling is the fastest form of alternative education.
  • The academic progress in the country has remained stagnant since the 1970’s, even though other countries are progressing steadily.
  • The majority of home schooled children’s fathers are either doctors or lawyers.
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