Homeschooling is something that some parents consider for their kids. They see it as a different way of learning alternatives for their children who have problems going to traditional schools. “These reasons include concerns about the local school’s quality of education or environment; a desire to provide a certain kind of religious or moral teaching; a child’s inability or unwillingness to fit into the local school environment; a school’s inability or unwillingness to provide an education that meets a child’s psychological or learning needs; a family’s living in a remote location; a temporary situation like travel, illness, or family transition; and a parent’s wish to manage their child’s education,” explains developmental psychologist Dona Matthews, Ph.D.
However, though it seems widely allowed and a lot of people practice it, it’s not merely that acceptable in some parts of the judgmental sides of society. Let’s try to enumerate the pros and cons of homeschooling to better understand the different opinions and point of view of parents.
- Lose Schedules – Homeschooling doesn’t require kids to get up in bed too early or travel across a couple of streets to learn something. Since the preparations almost don’t take up a valuable amount of time, it makes children less likely to become tardy or late. Also, the learning materials are within reach, so there’s no reason for kids to delay or disregard education. Aside from that, the whole family can have enough time to spend with each other. No required time or schedule will hinder them from bonding.
- Emotional Stability – Homeschooled children are less likely to experience peer pressure. Homeschooling somehow makes them feel safe and comfortable within their surroundings. They don’t get bullied or experience harassment in any sort. They don’t feel left out and don’t suffer from self-esteem issues. Therefore, there’s no reason for kids to become stress and anxious about social interaction. The love and attention they get from their families grow enough for them to sustain emotional stability.
- Close Family Ties – Homeschooling allows parents to have more time with their kids. It supports a growing strong and loving family relationship. It establishes the bond between parents and children, which is beneficial for sustainable behavioral and emotional enhancement. Kids learn to become more adaptive, respectful, loyal, caring, and loving.
- Educational Freedom – The process of homeschooling tailors a teaching strategy that specifically meets the children’s needs. It supports creative and fun teaching methods that allow kids to participate comfortably and playfully. It enhances moral and spiritual values, as well as relationship awareness. Homeschooling allows educational freedom by letting kids learn things within the personal discovery. Laura Brodie, Ph.D. explains that parents’ “reasons ranged from a desire to supplement a public school’s curriculum, to the need to escape a persistent bully. And then there were the families who simply wanted to enjoy more unhurried time between parent and child.”
The list of positive things about homeschooling can go a long way. However, parents should not disregard the cons it may somehow provide.
- Time-Consuming – Homeschooling is time-consuming. However, it depends on every child’s capability to process the required lessons for the day. And since homeschooling only focuses perhaps on one subject a day, the whole internalization pretty much takes some time. Fortunately, there are methods and guidelines that parents can follow. But, it’s safe to note that not all of those techniques apply to all kids.
- Financial Constraint – Homeschooling somehow hinders a unit’s financial stability. Since one parent needs to stay at home, only one of them can work full time. In some unfortunate circumstances, a single-family income becomes very tight on a budget due to a one-working parent family agreement. Though it’s not a bad thing, it still causes monetary issues. That’s because all financial matters are inconsistent and all units are susceptible to experience an unexpected situation that involves money.
- Limited Extra-Curricular Activities – Homeschooling parents’ struggle in teaching their kids things related to arts, sports, and other activities. That’s because it requires a mouthful amount of time to get done. Since homeschooling focuses on particular lessons one at a time, the supposed time for extracurricular becomes limited. Therefore, some specific learning becomes an option. Also, homeschooled kids are less likely to get involved in community support, and that leads to limited social interactions.
- Criticism From Other People – Homeschoolers struggle with negative comments. Children’s way of living outside the norm becomes questionable and sometimes unaccepted by others. People see it as isolation. Though there’s nothing wrong about the process of homeschooling, it makes other people less likely to care.
Deciding what appropriate education is best for children can be very difficult for parents. “Increasingly parents carve out an eclectic mix of “school” options to best meet the needs of their individual children,” says Jessica Korhler, Ph.D. “We may consult experts in specialized fields to gain valuable information and to develop necessary interventions for our children, but sometimes we must make a difficult personal choice.” But whatever the reasons there might be, it is necessary to consider the children first above all decisions.