| When I think about it, I know almost no one of | | | | homeschooling is perhaps not as odd as it seems |
| my generation who doesn't have a story about a | | | | to some.I am putting the question of academic |
| school trauma with a teacher or other students | | | | achievement entirely aside, and thinking only about |
| that affected their self-image for at least a period | | | | the personal and social skills a young person needs |
| of their youth, if not beyond. I've come to the | | | | to create a worthwhile adulthood. If |
| conclusion that this is mostly because schools, | | | | homeschooling parents, while providing a quality |
| especially middle schools and high schools, become | | | | education at home, arrange and allow for |
| their own mini-societies, however unnatural a | | | | opportunities for their child to meet and interact |
| society made of up people of all one age and | | | | with other children and adults of different ages, |
| maturity level is in comparison to the so-called | | | | backgrounds, and interests, that child would, to |
| "real world". Thus, the culture of the peer group | | | | my mind, have a much greater advantage in his |
| and the school becomes the "real world" almost | | | | adulthood than someone who has spent almost all |
| completely to a middle schooler or a high schooler. | | | | day, every day, until age 18 with others with not |
| Just at the age when they are supposed to | | | | much more, and maybe far less, wisdom.Of |
| separating to a degree from their families and | | | | course, there will always be parents whose |
| realizing their own individuality, they are thrust into | | | | children are much better off in school, in almost |
| a daily world where some of the most shallow | | | | any school, than being home with their parents, if |
| "values" are used to judge them and, inevitably, | | | | the parents have alcohol, drug, mental, or |
| many come to judge themselves negatively | | | | emotional problems. But, for many others, it might |
| accordingly.Parents who homeschool and don't | | | | be worth giving some thought to the advantages |
| offer up their children to the prevailing culture of | | | | of giving their child the time, the space, and the |
| pre-adolescence and adolescence are often | | | | autonomy to develop into their own unique self, |
| though to be over-protective and trying to shelter | | | | without the warping pressure of modern |
| their children from "reality". However, I contend | | | | adolescent culture.Linda Popolano is a |
| that since adolescent school culture only lasts for | | | | homeschooling parent and an Independent |
| a few years and then thrusts young people who | | | | Consultant for BRIGHT MINDS, which produces |
| have been almost wholly pre-occupied by ideas | | | | products which help all children, from the very |
| and issues which will have virtually no future value | | | | youngest through high school, learn to think |
| in helping them lead productive adult lives, that | | | | critically. |