I wish homeschooling didn’t have a stigma...

[Anonymous]

Homeschooling seems to be mostly associated with very religious and conservative parents. I am not religious or conservative and wish it could be more mainstream. I just think my children would really enjoy it. I have the proper education to facilitate a good curriculum that adheres to my state’s learning standards. My children’s current public school has been very disappointing, so I was looking into alternative options. But homeschooling carries a certain stigma. FWIW, this is not a post against religious or conservative families. My sister is both, and homeschooled. Her adult children are super social, independent and successful!

Does anyone else feel this way? Do you wish homeschooling was a more mainstream alternative to education?

[Anonymous]

Op here- my last question meant to say :

Do you wish homeschooling was a more mainstream alternative to public/private school.

[Anonymous]

No. I don't think homeschooling has the stigma that you think. But I think you're missing the point of public school, too. It is for socializing, enculturating the child.

[Anonymous]

No, I don't. Kids need to socialize, and not just with others who think the way any particular family does. It is good for them to be exposed to those who are different from themselves (different ethnicities,different religions, different socioeconomic backgrounds, different political values, etc.).

[Anonymous]

No. I don’t even think there is a stigma attached anymore. I have known a lot of normal families homeschool because they felt they could educate their children better. But I have never seen a child actually educated in a manner that seemed better to me. I have seen kids miss social stuff. I have seen kids get a lopsided education. I have seen parents rush kids through curriculum and then the wheels come off. That’s not even counting religious nuts or unschoolers. I just haven’t seen it done “better”. That’s not to say some families think the benefits outweigh the costs. I don’t trust myself to do it right. And I say that as someone with a degree in teaching (albeit never used). I do trust that I can evaluate my child’s needs and find a near-perfect setting for her while enriching at home. I would consider homeschool forcextenuating, short term, circumstances.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it has a stigma. I live in Del Ray and know a few crunchy liberal families who homeschool as well. It's not right for our family, but whatever someone else wants to do is fine.

[Anonymous]

YES IT HAS A STIGMA.

Usually I think religious. I think also you need to socialize your children to the world. You can always support learning at home. But put them in school so they can learn about people not like them.

[Anonymous]

I don’t view it as a stigma. Homeschoolers also have social activities with other home schoolers so they do get outside social activities. I view it as dedicated parents who give their kids what they need. So much time is wasted in public school and if you don’t want your child’s time wasted then Home school is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

OP if you d the research you'll see there are a lot of "normal" homeschoolers around here. The socialization problem isn't difficult to solve these days with facebook and so many groups solely dedicated to meeting up.

Having said that, yes, you'll be judged, you just have to smile and keep moving!

[Anonymous]

I long considered home-schooling and don't care one little bit about the stigma. I'm just concerned about my lack of stamina!

[Anonymous]

Around here there are so many normal families that homeschool, with so many cool options for homeschool classes and activities. And there are regular afternoon and weekend activities where homeschool kids mix with institutional school kids. I agree with you, OP, that there's a bit of stigma, but if you're not a nut and your kids get a good education and a good experience from it, what do you care? Homeschooling is kind of like vegetarianism: when a non-vegetarian meets a vegetarian, they can get aggressive toward the vegetarian. Similar with homeschooling: the non-homeschoolers need to feel that homeschooling is a non-option, so they don't worry that they're not doing it, too.

[Anonymous]

I don't feel judgement or a "stigma" although maybe it's because by the time people find out we're homeschooling, they've already met us and hopefully decided that we're very nice, smart and normal However, it would be great to have more activities and things during school hours!

[Anonymous]

I'm a pretty liberal agnostic parent who has homeschooled, and sent my kid to brick and mortar school. I didn't find the stigma you describe to be a problem, nor did I find it hard to find socialization opportunities for my kid.

[Anonymous]

I really can’t imagine homeschooling my kids but my very bright cousins definitely faced a college admissions stigma, which I found very unfair.

Homeschooled kids can find lots of ways to be just as well socialized, and a self-directed kid is probably on net getting a better education. I found public school to reallt stifle my self-directed learning which is part of why we use a private school.

[Anonymous]

You have to pick your social circle - surround yourself with people who can at least not be jerks with those who make different life choices.

And if you have the flexibility to pick your neighborhood, some will be less isolating for homeschoolers than others. In my area, the local parks & rec has science classes and dedicated field trips for homeschoolers, as well as a homeschool co-op run by parents.