I tried to find a definition of homeschooling. There are a variety of definitions floating around and even more speak-outs against a working definiton (un-definitions, you might call them), so I consulted Webster’s about the word ‘home’ and thought I could put it together with our aforementioned definition of education. Those two put together seem like a good combination for not only strong family bonds (for a better society overall…) but for good learning conditions. I won’t say ideal because home is not an ideal learning setting for everyone in every situation (although it should be that way).
In more thinking about it, I think it’s better that there is not an established definition of homeschooling. What if there was? Then would we be expected to abide by that? Would there be laws thrown into effect that we would have to conform to? I’d venture to say that many homeschoolers are non-conformists to begin with (at least a little) and any standardized law reagrding this would go over like a lead balloon. There are people who say that homeschoolers are taking away from the development of a cohesive society by withdrawing from government schools. I’d say those people have been brainwashed by the same dogma that gave us government schools to begin with (see previous entry for more on that). Here’s a good quote found on the NHERI website.
That’s the beauty, though, of home educating. We are all combining our unique homes with the education of our children. Our homes consist of so many things that shape our children’s lives and futures. An education based on those principles (holding true to our own belief system, growing strong in our faith, attention given to individual learning styles and strengths, to name a few) is certainly a solid one and will prepare a young person to embark upon the world with a strong sense of who he is, backed by a knowledge base that other people are knit from a different ball of yarn. Isn’t this a better way of sending a young man (or young woman) out into the world rather than the chaotic, indulgent product we see coming out of today’s schools?
You can read further about the products of home education in the introduction to a book on the subject, here. You have to order the book to get the entire picture, but this gives some interesting statistics. If you ever get the chance to hear Brian Ray speak, do so. He is excellent.
