On Sunday, the Oklahoma published an interesting article about homeschooling in Oklahoma. It really opened my eyes. I always thought homeschooled kids were weird and that their parents were out of touch, fundamentalist Christians, who don't believe in evolution or global warming and want to protect their kids from things like drugs, sex, rock music, friends and other things the devil has created. As it turns out, that’s simply a common stereotype. According to The Oklahoman, this is why most parents homeschool their kids:
The option to homeschool is a resolution for parents who fear that formal education is not suitable for their children for a number of reasons, including overcrowding of classrooms, the possibility of subjecting their children to a possibly dangerous environment, the need for personalized education due to a physical or mental disability, religious beliefs or general dissatisfaction with the quality of public school education.
Another reason parents homeschool their kids is because it's so F*CKING easy! From the Home School Legal Defense Association:
Oklahoma law does not require parents to use certified teachers or state approved curricula, initiate contact with, register with or seek approval from state or local officials, test their students or permit public school officials to visit or inspect homes. If a parent is teaching his children the basic subjects for at least 180 days, the law requires nothing more.
So anyone can teach your kids anything, they won't be tested on it, but you have to teach them for 180 days a year... but no one is going to visit or inspect your home to make sure you are doing any of that. Damn, I wish I was homeschooled.
Anyway, the Oklahoman article featured a list of homeschooling "Pros" and "Cons" written by homeschooled students (pictured above). Because I'm now interested in the concept, I thought it would be fun to come up with my own list of pros and cons. Check it out after the jump.
Sports
Pros: You can still play the sport of your choice in a league for homeschool kids or in other youth leagues.
Cons: You will suck and won't make it in the pros. Example: Tim Tebow was homeschooled. Here is a list of other "famous" homeschoolers.
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Dating
Pros: None.
Cons: It's hard to meet new people, and the only people you will probably meet are other homeschoolers. Then you have to deal with their parents. Good luck.
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Course Subject
Pros: You can learn whatever you want! How cool would it be to be able to study what you want to learn about!
Cons: You are being taught by someone who probably doesn't know shit about it. But the homeschool teacher probably has a better retirement plan than a public school teacher.
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Bullying
Pros: You won't get beat up or bullied in the halls of the school.
Cons: Unless you have an older sibling also being homeschooled.
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Teachers
Pros: They care about your well-being and truly want what's best for the student.
Cons: It's your mom or dad.
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Drugs
Pros: You know where your parents keep the pills.
Cons: The pills are probably for hemorrhoids or something.
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Homework
Pros: You probably aren't given much homework, what are your parent's going to do, fail you?
Cons: Technically, it's all homework.
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As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when deciding if homeschooling is right for you and your family. I have no problem with parents wanting what is best for their kids and think if all parents cared as much as homeschool parents, the world would be a better place... just so long as those same parents aren't using homeschooling as a way to brainwash their narrow worldview on their kids. If you want to read misspelled tweets from a kid that went to public school, follow me on Twitter - @SpencerLenox.
