General Discussion

The Straight Story

(48,121 posts) Tue Aug 14, 2012, 01:36 AM Aug 2012

Where do you stand on homeschooling? [View all]

My daughter is homeschooled. My sons were not. I have been on both sides of the fence and found the good and bad in both (as far as good and bad relates my own personal situation).

Can't afford private and the public schools here are awful. Personally, I like being able to make a choice in this and many other things when it comes to my family, our bodies, our education.

93 votes, 2 passes \| Time left: Unlimited
	Make it illegal, remove choice
	8 (9%)
	Ensure it stays legal and parents have a choice
	47 (51%)
	Only some parents should be allowed to do it
	7 (8%)
	I know some people who do it poorly, therefore others might too - ban it
	1 (1%)
	Kids miss out on all the social interactions (dances, bullies, drugs, clubs)
	0 (0%)
	It is not a choice I would make but think others should be able to make their own choice
	12 (13%)
	Religious people do it to brainwash kids
	17 (18%)
	Other, not listed
	1 (1%)
	2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

210 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Where do you stand on homeschooling? [View all] The Straight Story Aug 2012 OP

I think it is a great idea that could possibly go very wrong... Kalidurga Aug 2012 #1

*Sigh* lilly ludebummer Aug 2012 #76

Welcome to DU SoDesuKa Aug 2012 #111

Boy, that was one hell of a Big Bang! the nite has 1K eyez Aug 2012 #142

Cosmic Mysteries SoDesuKa Aug 2012 #146

Thanks. I plan on staying. inner lite Aug 2012 #175

Dazzled SoDesuKa Aug 2012 #186

Don't let them bother you. renie408 Aug 2012 #190

The big bang plus 4.5 billion years. lob1 Aug 2012 #151

What caused the Big Bang? inner lite Aug 2012 #176

Do we really want to do this? renie408 Aug 2012 #191

There are good and bad reasons to homeschool jmowreader Aug 2012 #2

Here's the thing . . . mzteris Aug 2012 #155

What anyone else thinks is irrelevant jberryhill Aug 2012 #3

The parents need to be a little bit educated themselves. dimbear Aug 2012 #4

For the most part I think it is a bad idea. Spider Jerusalem Aug 2012 #5

I agree Karia Aug 2012 #18

this obamanut2012 Aug 2012 #38

Well said. nt hifiguy Aug 2012 #48

socialization canard again??? ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2012 #50

Not necessarily exactly the same LadyHawkAZ Aug 2012 #185

Societally a very bad idea, but so are most attempts at prohibition. Socialization and Egalitarian Thug Aug 2012 #6

+1. HiPointDem Aug 2012 #9

They claim that they get better socialization and culture from going to church. Waltons_Mtn Aug 2012 #27

there is alot to be said AGAINST school socialization- Bluerthanblue Aug 2012 #47

And some of them (way too many of them) claim that dinosaurs were walking around a couple thousand Egalitarian Thug Aug 2012 #80

We hired a young guy who was home schooled before college. avebury Aug 2012 #122

I thought about it, but I don't look good in orange jumpsuits. n/t gkhouston Aug 2012 #7

Yes, but it needs to be held to the same standards as other kinds of schooling wickerwoman Aug 2012 #8

Yes, only if regulated Freddie Aug 2012 #15

Actually, not many WolverineDG Aug 2012 #127

I think we have different definitions of "socialization" Karia Aug 2012 #152

Would public school students have to pass the same test? WinniSkipper Aug 2012 #40

They already do have to pass millions of tests. wickerwoman Aug 2012 #118

That wasn't the question WinniSkipper Aug 2012 #138

That's what I mean by wickerwoman Aug 2012 #145

If those are the "fair" answers you could come up with, I'm not sure you're qualified. (nt) jeff47 Aug 2012 #10

I'm all for liberals homeschooling their children. Liberals are smart enough to do it and that way Raine Aug 2012 #11

Yah. That's it's own kind of brainwashing. aquart Aug 2012 #12

yup its kinda creepy no matter what side wants to turn out little clones. loli phabay Aug 2012 #17

I think homeschooled kids should have to pass yearly tests cali Aug 2012 #13

I think online school is better than home school Tabasco_Dave Aug 2012 #14

Most home schoolers I've seen ag_dude Aug 2012 #128

parents choice, whether we like it or not. People choose to homeschool for so many reasons. loli phabay Aug 2012 #16

I think it should be an option for parents who are able to meet some Skidmore Aug 2012 #19

Children should reach a certain level of performance on the exboyfil Aug 2012 #20

In the end, they will all be home schooled 2pooped2pop Aug 2012 #21

The goal of vouchers is to force your kids into Christian private schools or onto the streets. JoePhilly Aug 2012 #23

yes 2pooped2pop Aug 2012 #24

What will they do with all the parents who have to stop working to do this? whathehell Aug 2012 #32

they don't care about working women 2pooped2pop Aug 2012 #33

Maybe they don't, but families do. whathehell Aug 2012 #94

Since you brought up vouchers... indie9197 Aug 2012 #108

the vouchers are just taking money away from the 2pooped2pop Aug 2012 #134

Every parent to some extent should "home school" at least on a supplementary basis ProgressiveProfessor Aug 2012 #22

My Catholic education blueamy66 Aug 2012 #149

+1000 geardaddy Aug 2012 #199

Wouldn't be my choice. I think REAL school is a necessary experience for kids. I am also not a TwilightGardener Aug 2012 #25

Parents who home school should be required to meet the same accreditation as public schools liberal N proud Aug 2012 #26

My mom is a high school drop out who home schooled my sisters kids abelenkpe Aug 2012 #30

100% agree obamanut2012 Aug 2012 #39

+100 Atman Aug 2012 #125

I have considered homeschooling my oldest because she ejpoeta Aug 2012 #28

Spot on exboyfil Aug 2012 #84

I think the increasing popularity of home schooling has something in common with guns... phantom power Aug 2012 #29

I was NOT qualified to home school my kids Sedona Aug 2012 #31

did you come to this understanding after attempting it? Bluerthanblue Aug 2012 #43

I've seen friends and neighbors smarter than me Sedona Aug 2012 #105

Well I don't want the schools braining washing my kids to right wing talking points rewriting southernyankeebelle Aug 2012 #34

I voted for tallahasseedem Aug 2012 #35

you weren't the only one. barbtries Aug 2012 #66

My observation as well Populist_Prole Aug 2012 #90

Will be homeschooling my 16 month old when the time comes NightWatcher Aug 2012 #36

Fuck home schooling gopiscrap Aug 2012 #37

said by someone who only knows religious homeschoolers ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2012 #52

It depends... Marymarg Aug 2012 #75

Huh. The only home schoolers I know are Butterbean Aug 2012 #100

Sorry for your limited mzteris Aug 2012 #157

I home schooled one of my children right through high school Bluerthanblue Aug 2012 #41

If I had children today Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #42

Why not send them to a private school and pack a lunch? blueamy66 Aug 2012 #181

Because in this economy Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #187

I have to disagree. blueamy66 Aug 2012 #188

Fine - as long as rigorously investigated and found to be equal or better than public option dmallind Aug 2012 #44

I know several homeschooled kids and they're all super-religious families who are into brainwashing riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #45

And I know hundreds plus mzteris Aug 2012 #158

You just ignored the entire body/rest of my post? How friendly of you... riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #173

I wish I had been homeschooled. Odin2005 Aug 2012 #46

+1 Shrek Aug 2012 #51

+++ a million laundry_queen Aug 2012 #78

Some people don't get that. Jennicut Aug 2012 #98

In my experience, it's a very cruel form of child abuse. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #49

then your 'experience' is shit n/t ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2012 #53

What an ignorant thing to say! You tend to make my case for me. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #56

yes, you call my opinion 'ignorant' ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2012 #57

Your "opinion" of my experiences is, almost by definition, "ignorant"; you don't know me. Romulox Aug 2012 #58

i see, it is ok to call is abuse ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2012 #62

If you had reacted this way from the first, a "discussion" might have developed. Instead... nt Romulox Aug 2012 #63

well, all I can do is apologize... ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2012 #64

No, it's cool. I really didn't expect to be attacked for relaying *my experience*. Challenged, Romulox Aug 2012 #117

In mine it's the exact opposite, in some cases. JoeyT Aug 2012 #74

I appreciate your response. I have experience in which a child is home-schooled in lieu of Romulox Aug 2012 #115

It is certainly situational CabCurious Aug 2012 #132

Your "Experience" is BS. Odin2005 Aug 2012 #99

OK, that doesn't even make sense. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #114

Sorry but mzteris Aug 2012 #160

Very, very few Americans are qualified. Scuba Aug 2012 #54

Sorry. Not your call. mzteris Aug 2012 #161

First, thanks for the props. The respect is mutual.... Scuba Aug 2012 #172

I live in Chicago. The public schools here are not an option. AngryAmish Aug 2012 #55

Do you feel that the spend is disproportionate in the district exboyfil Aug 2012 #103

The spend is disproportionate but the other way AngryAmish Aug 2012 #129

Up to the parents/guardians bigwillq Aug 2012 #59

Regulated home-schooling is fine Prism Aug 2012 #60

Homeschoolers often qualify for special ed because their parents do such a crap job DonRedwood Aug 2012 #61

So what you're saying is that you test the home schoolers hughee99 Aug 2012 #69

yes DonRedwood Aug 2012 #147

I agree on the standards completely, hughee99 Aug 2012 #150

I voted to "Make it illegal, remove choice" but only in the coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #65

Actually spend in a state like Iowa exboyfil Aug 2012 #81

I should make it clear that I would outlaw home schooling and also coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #91

Any other personal decisions you would exboyfil Aug 2012 #93

Children should be wards of the state, at least when it comes to their education. A child's mind is coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #119

What is your issue with parochial schools? blueamy66 Aug 2012 #182

There are good and bad homeschoolers, just like teachers in a school KamaAina Aug 2012 #67

Oh yes, No. 1 on that list of homeschoolers (alphabetically) KamaAina Aug 2012 #89

Considering the negative impacts on Public Education of ... MicaelS Aug 2012 #68

My wife is a public school teacher. It is because of her experience in our local school kelly1mm Aug 2012 #70

same here RepublicansRZombies Aug 2012 #71

Homeschooling FTW. Marinedem Aug 2012 #72

Not a fan at all. I've met homeschooling parents, most are not qualified to teach. progressivebydesign Aug 2012 #73

How many? mzteris Aug 2012 #162

Honestly, I would declare any child not in public school until age 18 (unless they graduate) truant. TheKentuckian Aug 2012 #77

So the effect would be: More control in the hands of the few who buy elections The Straight Story Aug 2012 #79

Freedom to abandon poor and working class kids to school to prison labor or Walmart prep "education" TheKentuckian Aug 2012 #154

I like Austria's approach. TheMightyFavog Aug 2012 #82

I wonder if students from public or parochial schools are subjected to the same tests Shrek Aug 2012 #85

are the public school kids subjected to the same exam? ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2012 #101

I had a child I wanted to homeschool because I couldn't find a school cbayer Aug 2012 #83

I think homeschooling can lead to fragile personalities johnd83 Aug 2012 #86

Roflmao mzteris Aug 2012 #163

Getting into college is not a good measure johnd83 Aug 2012 #177

Can you please explain how the home schooled children "manage their time"? blueamy66 Aug 2012 #183

It must be regulated. Otherwise - parents can teach whatever they wish. Avalux Aug 2012 #87

Yes there should be a choice Rosa Luxemburg Aug 2012 #88

My Sister-in-Law Homeschooled Her Two Kids On the Road Aug 2012 #92

I'm not real crazy about it, Blue_In_AK Aug 2012 #95

It should be illegal.. and-justice-for-all Aug 2012 #96

I think it should be a choice of the parents but should be very well regulated. Jennicut Aug 2012 #97

I don't like it. I would never do it. People can do what they want, though. MADem Aug 2012 #102

saw show on home schooling with mother and daughter in prairie dresses, all where ignorant Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 #104

I am just LMAO at some of the responses here. Butterbean Aug 2012 #106

I love how you've bound homeschooling to vacccine hysterics Care Acutely Aug 2012 #109

It was to make a point at how two groups of people are Butterbean Aug 2012 #110

and now you retreat to the logical fallacy Care Acutely Aug 2012 #116

Pray tell, where is the logical fallacy? Butterbean Aug 2012 #133

LOL....for somebody who apparently thinks they 'debate meriotoriously' renie408 Aug 2012 #192

As for homeschooling because of political/cultural/religious reasons, it cuts both ways Wednesdays Aug 2012 #107

I was home schooled! BarackTheVote Aug 2012 #112

But what else did you do throughout your schooling? blueamy66 Aug 2012 #184

I'm a homeschooling parent. LeftyMom Aug 2012 #113

Don't lie XemaSab Aug 2012 #120

Too many Authoritarians on DU. Odin2005 Aug 2012 #123

I went to public schools kurtzapril4 Aug 2012 #137

I Went To Texas Public Schools...... Paladin Aug 2012 #144

If you are a homeschooling mom, then... you have to admit... CabCurious Aug 2012 #131

All 50 states have different rules for homeschooling. LeftyMom Aug 2012 #136

Homeschooling materials BarackTheVote Aug 2012 #140

Wtf says mzteris Aug 2012 #164

As long as my tax dollars don't go to support it, as long as the state curriculum is followed, baldguy Aug 2012 #121

Bingo!! B Calm Aug 2012 #171

Parents should have to pass a test first. Atman Aug 2012 #124

Agreed Philosoraptor Aug 2012 #126

Wish I could've voted twice. freedom fighter jh Aug 2012 #130

I was homeschooled Ava Aug 2012 #135

AVA IS BACK!!! Odin2005 Aug 2012 #139

Hola! Ava Aug 2012 #143

Ava! mzteris Aug 2012 #165

I'm good! Busy, but good! Ava Aug 2012 #189

well, it does keep precious Calebs, Logans, and Meghans datasuspect Aug 2012 #141

Homeschool all you want blueamy66 Aug 2012 #148

May I know why not? Prometheus Bound Aug 2012 #167

Because children that go to "regular" school blueamy66 Aug 2012 #169

Not if you're Tim Tebow. geardaddy Aug 2012 #202

don't get it blueamy66 Aug 2012 #207

He was homeschooled geardaddy Aug 2012 #209

Okay. Thanks. blueamy66 Aug 2012 #210

If the parent is not qualified to provide schooling absolutely not. LiberalFighter Aug 2012 #153

Sorry, but you have mzteris Aug 2012 #156

Make it illegal. Taverner Aug 2012 #159

Yes, that will be real popular RZM Aug 2012 #168

I never said it would make you popular, I just said it's what I would do... Taverner Aug 2012 #179

We live in South Carolina. I cannot afford a private school. We homeschool. renie408 Aug 2012 #193

I believe in a national curriculum Taverner Aug 2012 #197

For us, it wasn't issue of "why bother to fix the local schools" SickOfTheOnePct Aug 2012 #198

There's an interesting contradiction in there. FBaggins Aug 2012 #203

Public Schools in TN, TX and KY teaching Creationism sounds like fragmentation to me Taverner Aug 2012 #204

You think that's something new? FBaggins Aug 2012 #205

Two of my hockey players kwolf68 Aug 2012 #166

Do you think it's fair that kids that get more sleep and don't have to work as hard blueamy66 Aug 2012 #208

I find threads like this very helpful. Prometheus Bound Aug 2012 #170

For us, it was the best decision we have ever made. renie408 Aug 2012 #196

Other. LWolf Aug 2012 #174

I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly in home schooling... malokvale77 Aug 2012 #178

Support, but only with the use of an accredited curriculum or by a certified teacher. Chan790 Aug 2012 #180

If you haven't researched what homeschooling can be, you should probably refrain from comment. renie408 Aug 2012 #194

your experience with the outcome of home schooling... mike_c Aug 2012 #206

Not a choice I would have made SickOfTheOnePct Aug 2012 #195

I sometimes wish I had home schooled my kids. Redford Aug 2012 #200

my homeschooled daughter now has an advanced degree.... mike_c Aug 2012 #201