Thanks to our good friend D.O. for sending this article. (Update: The following is a long quote from an article written by Shaunti Feldhahn, a Harvard grad and columnist.)
Like many critics, I used to feel vaguely sorry for home-schooled kids. What a shame, I thought, that they might be deprived of the well-rounded education and social skills to become integrated, productive members of society. I never thought to question why cafeteria food fights or the predatory pack habits of teenage girls would be better for molding productive members of society.Go read the whole thing.
This uninformed, critical opinion lasted precisely until I met my first home-schooled children several years ago. Within one month I met five home-schooling families, and their 13 children were among the most polite, well-adjusted, socially adept and academically advanced kids I'd ever seen. Being home-educated seemed to have given them a confidence and maturity — and yes, social skill — far beyond their years. They had many friends, but didn't seem dependent on their peers for approval — a far cry from what I remember as a kid.
1 comment:
Hey, M.E.,
I have argued for over 20 years that the purpose of raising children is to train them into productive, responsible adulthood. They learn very little, if any, of that when 'socialized' by peers.
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