Last time, I blogged about some of the cons of homeschooling. Studies show a greater success rate for some children being home-schooled. How come? Is it a reflection of parents efforts to see their child through successfully? I have some ideas...

Pros:
1. If a child has a disability (learning or other), severe social anxiety, religious reasons or any condition which prevents them from being schooled outside of the home, then home schooling is a great alternative.
2. If a parent has been home schooled successfully and would like to raise their children within the same methods, then it can be positive.
3. If there are parents who would like to raise their child avoiding certain subject matters and negative social attitudes that they might think may affect the child negatively in the long run, home schooling will keep a child protected from the atmosphere where they might learn these things.
4. Home schooling may cost less.
5. The parent and child relationship may grow to be stronger because of the interaction and model behavior not only from parent to child but from a teacher/mentor to student.
6. A child may be inevitably safer in the home rather than in a school where violence and drugs are prevalent.
7. Home schooled children tend to score better than children in schools.8. The intimacy of home schooling may be more comfortable and may provide a better environment for learning as opposed to distractions in public/private schools.

I personally have to say that this list makes me feel better than my other list. Don't ask why. I guess I prefer to see the positive aspects of controversial issues vs. the negative. Till we meet again...Carpe Diem!

Homeschooling is a priveledge parents sometimes provide to their child because they want them to excel and learn within the home. There is nothing wrong with that. Or is there? Does it prevent them from learning socially. Does it hinder their growth as a person of society? Here are some cons:

Cons:
1. If a child is placed in a public/private school, the interaction with other children might promote growth of one’s personality, maturity and a grasp of the responsibility of relationships.
2. The competitiveness in schools has been shown to drive students to do better.
3. Social interaction with peers can provide a good support system when things may go wrong that a child may not be comfortable sharing with a parent or teacher.
4. Schools, private or public, provide extracurricular activities that stress teamwork, competitiveness and drive to do well and promote exercise and well-being.
5. Schools provide classes that measure a student’s capabilities, ranging from remedial, average and all the way up to college level courses.
6. Private and public schools have an edge by assigning students to a guidance counselor that prepares a “resume” for colleges showing the grades and activities that a child has built while in school from junior high through high school.
7. Social diversity within a society can be more tolerated if a student is able to socialize within society.
8. If there are problems, a child can solve them on his own and in effect, develop life skills needed to cope with the stresses of adulthood.

Till my next set of ideas about this conflict, carpe diem!