| It has always been accepted that parents have | | | | would. Homeschooling may require either parent |
| an inherent right to determine how to raise and | | | | to stay home and be the teacher, or may put |
| educate their children. These days, the latter | | | | greater stress on parents who both work for a |
| decision is made more complex for the simpler | | | | living. |
| dichotomous decision of private versus public | | | | This also means doing away with the expertise of |
| schooling is given a third rival: homeschooling. | | | | an accredited teacher. Trained teachers are |
| Homeschooling holds an obvious advantage over | | | | equipped with the knowledge to teach a wide |
| the other two, that of the fact that as a parent, | | | | range of topics as well as strategies in order to |
| you are given an opportunity to be completely | | | | stimulate greater learning and active participation. |
| hands-on with your child's education, from | | | | As a parent without this training, you may find it |
| schedule, to curriculum, and to the sort of | | | | necessary to do much more research, especially |
| development you want imbibed in him or her | | | | as you determine what you want to teach your |
| through that education. While these advantages | | | | child. |
| may hold true under any circumstance, it is | | | | The classroom setting provides inherent benefits |
| important for you as a parent to also understand | | | | of socialization to your child. Homeschooling |
| the disadvantages in the system as well. Only | | | | obviously takes away this opportunity for your |
| then can you be certain that you are indeed | | | | child to interact with other children in the learning |
| making the right and educated decision in choosing | | | | environment. Although your child may have siblings |
| homeschooling over the other two. | | | | to interact with, this may translate to your child |
| The first obvious disadvantage is the amount of | | | | as not being exposed to a wider gamut of ideas |
| investment you have to make as a parent. Why? | | | | and perspectives. A classroom with children from |
| Homeschooling leaves the responsibility of | | | | different backgrounds and personal beliefs |
| educating your child completely on you. This | | | | provides your child with ideas that may stimulate |
| means you're going to have to research and | | | | his mind to think and criticize. |
| collate a curriculum for your child, as well as | | | | Visit and talk to people who have undergone |
| determine on your own supplemental activities | | | | homeschooling. This may help you get to know |
| that will enhance this learning experience. | | | | more about these disadvantages, and perhaps, |
| Moreover, this means having to invest greater | | | | help you learn how to appropriately respond to |
| time in your child than a normal working parent | | | | them to make homeschooling work for you. |