Some parents opt to homeschool their children instead of sending them to school and this has become very popular over the years. Although homeschooling has its advantages, there are certain risks and shortcomings associated with it. This article will dissect why homeschooling is not recommended.
Absence of Social Interaction
One of the main disadvantages of homeschooling is the absence of social interaction that could otherwise be gained in a conventional classroom. Schools offer lectures, activities, and projects where students can network, debate with each other, and provide critique so that they can develop social skills that they can later use in the real world.
As such, interpersonal connections, collaboration, and teamwork are more difficult to develop when a child is homeschooled. On the other hand, since the student is the only one studying from home, he or she tends to develop an isolated lifestyle, which in the long run can result in depression, anxiety, and lack of self-esteem. It is also likely that the student will not develop the same social skills for initiating, maintaining, and sustaining friendships with peers.
Further, even when the student meets peers with similar interests and values through organised homeschooling events, they may find it intimidating to start conversations or maintain friendly relationships due to the lack of social capabilities. This could significantly dent their confidence level and otherwise impair their ability to interact with others in a positive manner.
Limited Resources
Another major disadvantage of homeschooling is the limited resources available to a student compared to what is available to a student attending school. Homeschooling parents are generally limited to the resources available to them in their home or the local community. This can make it difficult for the parent to adequately plan lessons or find the appropriate supplemental materials for their child to learn handling the subject.
Consequently, homeschooled children are likely to experience a lower-quality education and limited resources when compared to students attending school. Not having access to audio-visual resources, such as videos, and tools, such as microscopes, also makes it difficult for homeschoolers to acquire certain skills and gain a thorough understanding of certain topics.
Additionally, parents may find it challenging to identify where to access additional resources or support to enhance their child’s learning. Similarly, while many homeschooling parents have a good grasp of the material their child is learning, they may not be as qualified to teach certain topics as a trained teacher. As such, homeschooled students may lack exposure to certain concepts and topics the same way students attending school do.
Lack of Supervision
One of the biggest disadvantages of homeschooling is the lack of supervision of the student. Students attending school are monitored by teachers and other staff as they are required to attend classes and/or participate in extra-curricular activities. Homeschooled children, however, do not have this same level of supervision since their parents are not in the room to ensure that they are completing their work or studying effectively.
With no one to make sure that the student is on the right track, it can make it difficult for the parent to identify if the student is struggling with any topics or requires additional assistance. Furthermore, with no external pressure or deadlines, there is no incentive for students to focus on their studies and complete their learning objectives.
This could lead to students becoming dismissive of learning, leading to complacent habits, and ultimately growing bored of the curriculum as they are not adapted to the traditional school routine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, homeschooling is not recommended due to its lack of social interaction, limited resources, and lack of supervision. Despite the advantages of homeschooling, such as the ability to be flexible with the study hours and allowing students to focus on topics in a method that works for them, homeschooled students are likely to miss out on a lot of opportunities compared to their peers attending school.