LaShawn has a post on the Pledge decision, which led to a discussion of homeschooling. I thought some of the comments were interesting.
While no expert in sociology or early childhood development, I am of the opinion that all of the “socialization” concerns expressed by professional educators (and to a large measure non-home schooling parents) amount to nothing more than red hearings. The real question all parents need to ask is who do they want to be the ones teaching “socialization” skills to their kids - mature adults or their children’s age piers? Before you answer this question, read (or re-read) The Lord of the Flies. None of us are born with an innate desire to put the needs and desires of others first, to serve others or even to treat our neighbors with simple courtesy. Those admirable qualities must be taught. Think about it, how many new born babies wait for a convenient time to politely request to be fed or changed? How about 2 year olds? Maybe your kids did, but all five of mine “requested” these things when they wanted them and not always in very polite ways until they were taught, patiently and lovingly, to be polite.
I also have a few questions for Lorraine. I truly admire your efforts to shelter and train your children. The moral principles you are transmitting are worthy. But why are they worthy? Why do you believe there are even such things as “moral principles” if there is no God? While you may not agree, the answer is simple - these moral principles have been communicated to us by God. God’s law is written on the hearts of all of us. That is why we all know deep in our beings that murder is wrong, that stealing is wrong, that there is a right & wrong.
And …
As for socialisation. Do you really want your children socialised by a bunch of kids who lack what we call in my family “home training”? (You know, the basics of how we should treat our fellow human beings? How to function in society?) How many of you public school survivors remember what it was really like? I do. Like Heather I had a target on my back for things like getting good grades, reading, respecting my teachers, wearing the wrong clothes, having an accent, looking at someone the wrong way… The inmates basically ran the prison. (Things got better in high school because I was at a specialised highschool with other “nerds” who were much smarter than myself.) So you can understand why my reaction to “but what about socialisation!” is a hearty “screw it!” I reserve the right to choose for myself who my children will be socialised by rather than through them to the wolves in some crappy school.
And…
Socialization, like self-esteem, is way overplayed. What did the early Americans do for socialization of their kids, those who lived in the boondocks? They got to the nearest town perhaps once a month or maybe once a year. And self-esteem doesn’t grow from being told ‘nice try’ after you miserably failed. It comes from accomplishing something on your own.
I am not familiar enough with home schooling to make intelligent comments on its merits vis a vis, but in terms of education it can’t possibly be worse than public schools. The socialization objection is a red herring.
Also on the subject of the pledge, In Media Res had some great CS Lewis quotes.
