Introduction
Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in the last few decades with an estimated 2 million and growing homeschoolers in the United States alone. Whether due to the disastrous outcomes of common public schooling or the more personalized approaches to education that homeschooling offers, parents around the world are turning towards homeschooling their children as a viable option.
However, not all parents are accepting of homeschooling, and there are numerous reasons why that is the case. In this article, we will look at the different reasons why some parents are especially against homeschooling, why they oppose it, and why they may be reluctant to consider it as an educational option for their children.
Lack of Guidance Regarding Homeschooling
One of the primary reasons why some parents may be against homeschooling is the lack of guidance and information on this alternative education option. The lack of clear directives or information available to parents can lead to confusion, anxiety, and discomfort about the part homeschooling may play in their child’s future.
When faced with the difficult task of learning about homeschooling, from deciphering the homeschool laws to understanding learning styles, some parents may be overwhelmed and decide homeschooling is not a viable path. The lack of support, information, and resources regarding homeschooling by local and federal governments can leave parents feeling alone and vulnerable while faced with making a decision that’s not just about their child’s education but also their future. Schools, both public and private, transmit clear expectations, messages and guidance to parents regularly, while homeschooling resources may be more structured in ways that are not as familiar to parents, making unfamiliar trails even more daunting to follow.
An inherent fear of the unknown can be another factor contributing to why some parents are against homeschooling.
Cost And Time Involved in Homeschooling
Like any form of schooling, homeschooling involves both money and a calculated commitment in terms of time from the parents. Parents have to be organized, and have the authority to ensure that their child follows the proper work assignments within the preset homeschooling schedule.
Furthermore, there are fees associated with curriculums, exams, and extracurricular activities, making homeschooling potentially more expensive than public schooling, depending on the resources and dedication of the parents. As well, parents need to invest a fair amount of their own time in researching and keeping up to date with curriculum decisions, adapting their lessons to their children’s needs and interests, creating lesson plans, and so on. They need to also be open to constant change in order to provide the best possible learning experience for their child.
All these factors can be quite overwhelming and expensive, leading some parents to shy away from homeschooling entirely.
Concerns About Socialization
Having their child attend a traditional school gives parents a peace of mind, as their child is in an environment of interactions with peers, staff, and other members in their community. For some parents, being in a school can guarantee that their children are in an environment where they are developing appropriate social and communication skills, as well as learning how to collaborate and cooperate with others. On the contrary, some parents might feel that homeschooled children are not receiving the type of social education they need to learn how to communicate with different types of people, and how to interact with their local community.
They may also be worried that their child may feel isolated while they are homeschooled and not have the same level of social support available than if the child attended a traditional school.
Misguided Beliefs About Homeschooling
Also, some parents might be misinformed about what homeschooling actually is. They might misconstrue homeschooling as a way of “sheltering” children from the world, as a “selfish” decision as only one parent (usually the mother) is usually the engaged teacher for the child, or as an excuse for the parent to impart their own religious beliefs on the child. These misconceptions can lead to an unfounded prejudice against homeschoolers, almost equating it with neglect and fundamentalism.
Parents that are against homeschooling tend to come from a more conservative background and if they feel that homeschooling doesn’t promote the traditional values they were raised with, they may be reluctant to learn more about it and oppose it instead.
Religious Perspectives Of Homeschooling
Religious perspectives on homeschooling may also influence parents who are against it. For those who are of the belief that the home should be a place of spiritual, emotional and physical safety, parents might be apprehensive of their children becoming part of a larger school community, especially if they belong to a somewhat non-traditional or non-organized religion, or have an important religious routine or obligation that needs to be held in the family home.
Furthermore, parents may not think it would be for the best, for their children to be pressured into adhering to different beliefs and morals that may oppose their own, when joining a social community in a public or private school setting.
Challenges With Homeschooling Children With Special Needs
Homeschooling poses its own unique challenges, especially for those trying to homeschool children with special needs. This is because the parents cannot rely on the specialized attention and resources that would be available in a traditional school setting. For many children with autism, ADHD, or other learning disabilities, traditional schooling is the most suitable approach, and many parents are not willing to take on the burden of homeschooling their children, no matter how rewarding the experience may be.
Legal And Educational Guidelines of Homeschooling
Another factor why parents might be against homeschooling is that they may be unfamiliar with the legal and educational guidelines of the homeschooling process. The laws and requirements concerning homeschooling may vary by state, and the lack of legal certainty can be a source of worry for many parents, who might worry that homeschooling can affect their child’s academic and professional future.
Furthermore, some may be concerned with the academic rigour of homeschooling programs and may think that without having the structure of a traditional classroom, their child will not be getting a formal and proper education.
Personal Experiences With Traditional Schools
Finally, for some parents, their own or their children’s personal experiences with traditional schools may be the main factor behind their decision against homeschooling. For example, if these parents had harsh experiences in schools themselves that they want to avoid ever having to relive, they may be more inclined to avoid homeschooling and choose the traditional approach.
Likewise, if their children had unfortunate experiences in traditional schools and would benefit more from a more individualized approach to learning, the parents may be against homeschooling, merely out of fear that repeat similar experiences.
Conclusion
It is normal for some parents to be against homeschooling due to varying reasons, including a lack of understanding, costs and time involved, concerns regarding socialization and special needs, legal and educational guidelines, or previous experiences with traditional schools. Whatever these reasons may be, it is important for any parent that considers homeschooling as an option for their child to take the time to educate themselves about this process and understand any potential social and emotional implications that may affect the child’s experience. As homeschooling becomes increasingly popular, more resources, programs and support will become available to parents and help them process their decision and make the right one for their child.