English
Home schooling is a system of education, which involves children being schooled at home. This system involves the children being taught by their parent or other qualified tutors. As opposed to the conventional settings of public or private schools, all the learning activities in the homeschooling system take place right at home. Homeschooling is by all means a legal, educational setup and the result that it yields are held in as high regard as those derived from the formal schooling system. Statistics about homeschooling prove that this option of schooling is very fruitful as far as academic excellence is concerned. A study of American colleges shows that 78% of admission officers are very optimistic with their students who have been home schooled (Glen, p.57). They expect these home-schooled students to perform much better than their counterparts from the conventional formal schooling system. The graduation statistics are also very encouraging as far as homeschooling is concerned. This is because 66% of homeschooled students graduate while only 58% of students from the formal education system graduate. This clearly shows that homeschooling is advantageous as far as imparting of knowledge an academic excellence is concerned. Statistics from colleges have also shown that on average, homeschooled students tend to get higher grades during the course of their college education compared to their counterparts from the conventional schooling system. There is however a question as to exactly how the homeschooling system affects the personality of the associated children. This is particularly in relation to the social nature of the homeschooled children in their capacity to associate with other people on a social and an intellectual level. Homeschooling does not have a negative effect on the socialization capabilities of the home schooled students.
The capacity to enlist a private tutor for a given student was in the past a luxury only affordable to the elite and the richest members off society. In the 1960s, however, the concept of homeschooling started getting critical acclaim as one of the only avenues to combat the nature of the formal schooling system that was viewed as being rather secular. The rise in popularity of homeschooling was enhanced by the low costs off homeschooling. Unlike normal conventional education, homeschooling is considerably cheaper especially in instances where the parents of the student are the tutors. In such cases, the additional costs of schooling are greatly reduced. Homeschooling is also a convenient method of education. A good example is the case where people have to move from one place to another frequently for example entertainers and athletes (Mayberry, p.81). In such cases, the process of enrolling the child to a different school after a short period can be hectic for the child as well as affect the learning process of the child in question. In such cases, homeschooling is a very convenient method of education where children can travel with their parents while at the same time getting the best quality education available. Homeschooling is also very advisable in instances where bonding and mentorship is preferred. This is because the student and the tutor interact on a more personal level over a long period.
There are a number of factors that have led to the criticism of homeschooling by society. One such factor is the socialization aspect associated with formal schooling. Homeschooled children learn in isolation. As a result, they do not interact with their peers as they would if they were in a formal education system. As a result, the children may grow up to become anti-social members of society since they are not conversant with the formal schooling system, which has a large number of pupils in a single class interacting on a daily basis. They do not interact with their peers on a large scale.
Another objection to the home schooling system stems from more of a humanitarian point of view. According to this point of view, peer interaction is part of the growth and development stage of a child. This means that peer interacting is very necessary or the proper growth and development of a child. Homeschooling seems to be inclined towards the deprivation of this essential ingredient to the development of a child. Children who are home schooled are denied the right to interact with their peers as they are supposed to. These children are denied a paradigm of childhood. They are deprived of one of their developmental necessities.
Critics of the homeschooling system are also of the notion that homeschooled children adopt more of an isolationist policy as opposed to teamwork. This is because these children are used to doing things on their own. Therefore, the concept of teamwork and working with their peers is an alien ideology altogether. The critics are concerned that this ideology might seep into the working environment where teamwork is an essential part of success. These people may not be able to work well with others. This might limit their performance at work.
Homeschooling is preferred by parents because off its character building capabilities. In the homeschooling system, parent, and tutors are more involved in the actual shaping of the character of the children in question. Moral issues are also prevalent in homeschooling instances. Many parents feel that a formal education system suffers from moral bankruptcy and the only way to ensure moral enrichment of their children is through the homeschooling system (Mur, p.72). On average a homeschooled student, performs much better than their counterparts in the conventional schooling system. Renowned authors such as Harold Benet have also produced publications advocating for homeschooling. The critics of homeschooling however have a valid point. There are instances where people tend to develop antisocial tendencies due to homeschooling. This is because homeschooling does not provide high levels of peer interaction as the formal schooling system.
Socialization is an essential part of human development as this aspect can be well incorporated into the homeschooling system. This is because homeschooled children have free time, which they can use to interact with their peers and build friendship. During the weekends, homeschooled children as well as children in the formal education system can interact with each other thus eliminating the anti-social aspect associated with homeschooling by its critics. Interaction can also be part of the home schooling curriculum. The tutors can ensure that the children interact with their peers.
Statistics shows that homeschooling is more effective in terms of student performance and college admissions. Homeschooled children also on average get better college grades than their peers. There is, however, a necessity to fuse this system of education with aspects of socialization. This might include allowing the children to go out and play with their peers after the learning activities are completed. The result will be an all rounded child, sharp both academically as well as socially. Homeschooling does not have a negative effect on the socialization capabilities of the homeschooled children, if this all round concept of home schooling is initiated.
Works Cited
Galen, Jane. Home schooling political, historical, and pedagogical perspectives. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Pub., 2009. Print. Home schooling should be coupled with social activities. These social activities include peer interaction
Mayberry, Maralee. Home schooling: parents as educators. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press, 2007. Print. Home schooling produces more competent professionals. These professionals are more equipped with technical knowledge
Mur, Cindy. Home schooling. San Diego, Calif.: Greenhaven Press, 2003. Print. the author talks about the academic benefits f home schooling. Home schooled children learn more
Nelson, Erik. Home schooling. Eugene, Or.: ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, 2004. Print. home schooling helps to build a better relationship between children and parents. As a result parents get to understand their children better
Williamson, Kerri Bennett. Home schooling: answering questions. Springfield, Ill., U.S.A.: C.C. Thomas, 2010. Print. Home schooling affects the social nature of students. These students are used to working in isolation not team work
