How do you spell the word “home?” It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? Now how about the word “schooled?” This also seems easy. Now put the two words together. The word “homeschool” has become a staple in today’s academic societies. But while there are great success stories, both sides have also shown some bias.
You might recall a few years back a situation involving the J.C. Penney chain. Printed tees were a common way of getting the word out. Students, and even myself, enjoyed saying things without actually saying it. J.C. Penney decided to sell shirts with the words “home skooled” written across the front. As if that weren’t bad enough, there was also a picture of a dilapidated trailer in the background. Now I understand the idea. It’s supposed to be funny. Those old religious lovin’, crazy homeschoolers in their trailers trying to teach their own children. Somehow, I fail to see the humor.
On March 7, the California state appellate court ruled that homeschooling your children is illegal unless the parent has a teaching credential. There are over 166,000 homeschooled students in the state of California, according to the Associated Press. According to this new law, my parents and friends’ parents will not be able to teach their children in the way they see fit. Okay, again, I understand where they are coming from. When it comes to the state and school, it all really revolves around the dough. But money doesn’t even solve the problem.
Jan. 13, 2006, John Stossel with ABC’s 20/20 reported on the inefficiencies of the public school system. Stossel said that money is coming in, but education is not coming out. Children at various schools were given hidden cameras so viewers could see what was really going on behind closed doors. Stossel found that not only was there a lack of education, students were dancing in classrooms and teachers who were not able to control them. A Gallup poll survey found that nearly 76 percent of parents who had children enrolled in the public school system were not satisfied with their child’s education.
Frankly, I’m fed up. I grew up in the homeschooling community and am appalled at the things that are said about us. I can’t tell you how many times a physician pulled me away from my parents in the doctor’s office to make sure that I really liked homeschooling. I just don’t understand. And if you ask me, I don’t see how I really missed out on anything within that all-prosperous public school community. I attended dances, played on sports teams and even had sleepovers with my friends.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are homeschoolers out there that the world would define as weird. But there are public schooled children who are just as odd. And if you think about it, there are just as many jokes that can be made about the public schooler as that of the homeschooler. So why are we homeschoolers placed within this stereotype?
Honestly, I think it all really comes down to stereotypes and bias in our culture. We make fun of what we don’t understand. I have been in both a private school and a home school arena. During my college years I have also attended both a state-funded institution and Biola. I have seen both sides of the spectrum. But even though I have seen both of these extremes, what can be done about it?
Before you go out into the world once again, think about this. Homeschoolers are just as bright and normal as the public schooler. This goes for anyone who did not follow the traditional method of schooling. It does make us different, but it doesn’t make it wrong. For those of you who don’t understand what it’s like, it’s always best to talk about it before you make fun. I can’t stand the catch all expression, “Oh, you were a homeschooler” as if that explains everything. Take this and every situation into account. Don’t judge what you don’t understand.
