LisaKinVA Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 ...those who really know me, would get a good laugh, because this is probably the *last* thing someone who knows me would be concerned about. "Aren't you afraid that your children will only grow up with only knowing 'my' side of things?" I guess it's refreshing, that they weren't worried about socialization. (My dh and I are both former college debaters... exploring "all sides" of an issue is very important to us, as is knowing and understanding different philosophies, religions, and even theories regarding the origins of the world. So yes, I laughed, because that is so NOT me.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 But don't we home educate because we *want * our kids to learn 'my side' of everything [evil laugh] :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 That presupposes that you never read books or use textbooks that present a variety of sides/theories on things. It also presupposes that schools present issues in a balanced manner. I agree with you: it's something to laugh about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 But don't we home educate because we *want * our kids to learn 'my side' of everything [evil laugh] :tongue_smilie: :lol::lol::lol::lol: that "evil laugh" cracked me up. bwahahahaha. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I've hear that one quite often. I think of it as the 'enlightened person's socialization worry'. On one occasion I heard it as a reason for a family enrolling their kids in ps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k10coon Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Well, my kids take the opposite side of everything I say, so this is a needless concern! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GypsieFamily Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 But somewhere along their first year or two they develop into these stubborn, opinionated little being. Has anyone ever tried impressing on a kid how much they love doing the dishes, putting away the clothes, sweeping and dusting? I'm still working on it, and not getting very far! :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 But somewhere along their first year or two they develop into these stubborn, opinionated little being. Has anyone ever tried impressing on a kid how much they love doing the dishes, putting away the clothes, sweeping and dusting? I'm still working on it, and not getting very far! :tongue_smilie: That is just because you don't beat them enough:lol::lol::lol:I am just joking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I absolutely want my kids to know my side of things. My side is to investigate all options - all reasons (at least all major reasons and options) - and to think through them to come up with the best, most reasonable idea or course of action. Ps often teaches one way of looking at things as right, and if they consider any other possibility, it's cast in a wrong light. Kids aren't often taught to think as much as to memorize and parrot - then forget. When I'm at ps I try to get kids to think when I can. Some actually enjoy it. ;) (And there are some teachers that encourage it, but not many where I work.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 :lol: You got that right! Well, my kids take the opposite side of everything I say, so this is a needless concern! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 This is similar in some ways to the socialization issue.....both make we want to say, "Oh, well, since we NEVER leave the house, and we NEVER talk to people whose viewpoints are different than ours, and since we do lock them in the closets during the daytime hours, yes, I am quite worried!" :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I can understand the concern, myself, because I have seen homeschooled kids who I feel could benefit from a more rounded education and exposure to other ways of thinking. I know many who I feel are over protected, and who are taught from quite a skewed or extreme perspective, but then we get that accusation too (the overprotection), so I guess it's all a matter of degree. I think its an issue worth considering, myself. I wanted to have a stronger than normal influence over my kids. I wanted to be the main influence on their most formative years. However I never wanted to cut them off from too much of normal society, or other people's way of life or values. I guess most of us just consider the issue common sense...but then, the people who are really "out there" and whacko consider that too, so it's hard to say! I know my kids do not agree with all dh and my values or beliefs and they do not take on our spiritual perspective either- certainly not hook line and sinker. But it is part of our vlaue system not to impress a religious belief system onto them but to help them find the truth that resonates for them. But I *can* understand people being concerned about it because as a homeschooler I have seen other homeschoolers who I would personally feel might be better off at school or in a broader environment- by a certain age at least. And i hate to say this but it is sometimes girls brought up with very religious mothers who are not particularly encouraged academically because the mother already has in mind the girl's future. I am sure most on these boards, and the majority of homeschoolers in general, would not have this as an issue, but its still worth self examining to see if we *really* want our kids to think for themsleves, even if they disagree with us, or dont agree with our religions, or our politics, or if just give lip service to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choirfarm Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 To be honest, I am a little worried about this. Is no one else?? I mean we live in a teeny, tiny town. They are with me or at church. They aren't athletic so no organized sports past junior high. They take piano. Are youth group is teeny. I don't swear. We don't have cable. They don't have cell phones. College may be fun!! But I'm not sure what to do about it.. Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulubelle Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Every kid, no matter what, is growing up inside their own bubble made by their parents. All the idiosyncrasies and philosophies of the house hold are transplanted into the kids whether we like it or not. My mother is a staunch democrat. Me and my brothers and sister all grew up believing what she believed. She also was and is against religion. So were all of us kids. We were public schooled! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree no matter who you are and how you choose to school. Really it's a silly thing to say to someone just because they homeschool. It is a discussion that everyone should be thinking about their own actions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RegGuheert Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 "Aren't you afraid that your children will only grow up with only knowing 'my' side of things?"Teaching only one side of an issue is known as "indoctrination" and it is one of my biggest issues with public schools. The bottom line is that it is up to the parents to decide how they want to raise their children. If they want to indoctrinate the children and then let them discover only later that there are other viewpoints, then that is their prerogative. To each their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I must admit, my fears stemming from the results of NOT teaching our pov more strongly has lead me to want to teach, almost indoctrinate, my dd. I don't think of it as indoctrination, I think of it as vaccination--helping her not get sick with society's lies. But I absolutely believe we can shelter too much, and I do want her to find the truth--I just believe it saves a ton of grief when you are given the truth from your parents, and then given the freedom to decide if you want to walk in it. I've learned, however, that there is no formula for insuring your kid makes it down the straightandnarrow--however you define it, so I don't really think even doctrination really works, because at some point, they do decide what they want. Maybe at 50, IDK! LOL Just kidding--Of course, as a person who believes there is one truth about God (but not one truth about how to live--lots of leeway there), I want my kid to believe it, too. There's a fine line-- Anyway, something to think about. Parenting out of grace is better than parenting out of fear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdalley Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I was public schooled and raised by a staunch liberal who at the time was a (literally) bra burning feminist. Religion was a bad thing growing up. I was literally screamed at and hung up on for not having an abortion. (That being said, I love my mother very much and it was hard raising my brother and I completely alone. No matter if our views are opposite - she has done the best she could under rough circumstances) I am the complete opposite. Not because of anything I heard from her or the schools I attended that certainly did not teach me to think. Somewhere along the way I learned to think for myself. I am much more like my Grandmother's generation in my values system and religious beliefs and political views. I want to raise my kids the way my great-grandfather did (widowed when they were small and during the Great Depression he still managed to raise an engineer, a lawyer and a nurse who were just good people in addition to being productive citizens)- to know the value of hard work and sacrifice. I've been falling down on the job lately though. My husband and I are careful to purposefully expose the kids to all kinds of viewpoints. It does them no good to be unaware that people believe and do things differently than we do. If I do one thing well by homeschooling my kids I hope that I teach them to think for themselves and even if they wind up believing the opposite of what I believe that's fine as long as THEY came to that conclusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 That questions chaffes me as well. People who know me don't even think to ask, but others who find out I homeschool.... Yep. I completely isolate the kids you see camping with your kids this weekend and playing soccer with them. :lol: While I admit to trying to make my kids Libertarians like myself, or at least fiscally conservative, they know they are well supported in their journey to figure out things in their own way, while being educated in why I believe and feel the way I do. I hope that by giving them the right tools, they will be thoughtful, caring people who may believe differently than me, but whom have found a path that will serve them well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I agree with Reguheert, If I wanted my children indoctrinated, I'd send them to the PS. So, the person who made this statement is about as naive as can be! In the closest elementary school to us, no actual literature is read. Seriously, the children do not read books. Their reading is from a "reading" text in which small excerpts of children's literature is presented and then the follow up reading is designed to state what the main character should or should not think, feel, or believe! Parents are told at public meetings that the only opinion that matters is the government's opinion - this is said outloud! Apparently, they have absolutely zero fear of parents or job loss anymore. The same with history....a small little flea bit amount of information is given about an event or a person and then a follow up of "what you should believe about this" is the main point of the lesson. At our local high school, even in the English Literature class, not one single book, play, poem, etc. is read in it's entirety and there is NO discussion....ZIP. They have eliminated opinion papers and essays, even character sketches are a type or writing no longer allowed. They do not want any original thoughts from the students. So essay writing as devolved into the standard five paragraph rubric telling the teacher what she or he wants to hear. The fastest way to be disciplined with detention or suspension is to take the opposite opinion of the text. Total, complete, indoctrination. The history teacher has told the students, "Anyone who is not for socialism is evil and should be imprisoned!" and though there were 76 parent complaints nothing was done about this. The principal just told the parents that they need to understand that the teacher's view is always more important than the parent's view because he/she is "state certified". They dissolved the debate team, the chess team, and the math team three years ago. I wrote a letter to the superintendent of schools telling him that I felt is was really important that he advertise properly for the school with prominently displayed signs in every building that say, "Please leave your brain at the door." He was not amused. I didn't care and told him on the phone that I had no intention of ever sending my children to is indoctrination camp. So, that is where we are at in our area...brainwashing. Given the state of things in todays public schools, I seriously doubt that homeschoolers could possibly do worse in the "one-sidedness" department. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in GA Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 But I *can* understand people being concerned about it because as a homeschooler I have seen other homeschoolers who I would personally feel might be better off at school or in a broader environment- by a certain age at least. And i hate to say this but it is sometimes girls brought up with very religious mothers who are not particularly encouraged academically because the mother already has in mind the girl's future. I am sure most on these boards, and the majority of homeschoolers in general, would not have this as an issue, but its still worth self examining to see if we *really* want our kids to think for themsleves, even if they disagree with us, or dont agree with our religions, or our politics, or if just give lip service to that. :iagree: I was thinking the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I agree with Reguheert, If I wanted my children indoctrinated, I'd send them to the PS. So, the person who made this statement is about as naive as can be! In the closest elementary school to us, no actual literature is read. Seriously, the children do not read books. Their reading is from a "reading" text in which small excerpts of children's literature is presented and then the follow up reading is designed to state what the main character should or should not think, feel, or believe! Parents are told at public meetings that the only opinion that matters is the government's opinion - this is said outloud! Apparently, they have absolutely zero fear of parents or job loss anymore. The same with history....a small little flea bit amount of information is given about an event or a person and then a follow up of "what you should believe about this" is the main point of the lesson. At our local high school, even in the English Literature class, not one single book, play, poem, etc. is read in it's entirety and there is NO discussion....ZIP. They have eliminated opinion papers and essays, even character sketches are a type or writing no longer allowed. They do not want any original thoughts from the students. So essay writing as devolved into the standard five paragraph rubric telling the teacher what she or he wants to hear. The fastest way to be disciplined with detention or suspension is to take the opposite opinion of the text. Total, complete, indoctrination. The history teacher has told the students, "Anyone who is not for socialism is evil and should be imprisoned!" and though there were 76 parent complaints nothing was done about this. The principal just told the parents that they need to understand that the teacher's view is always more important than the parent's view because he/she is "state certified". They dissolved the debate team, the chess team, and the math team three years ago. I wrote a letter to the superintendent of schools telling him that I felt is was really important that he advertise properly for the school with prominently displayed signs in every building that say, "Please leave your brain at the door." He was not amused. I didn't care and told him on the phone that I had no intention of ever sending my children to is indoctrination camp. So, that is where we are at in our area...brainwashing. Given the state of things in todays public schools, I seriously doubt that homeschoolers could possibly do worse in the "one-sidedness" department. Faith Wow, and I thought the school where I work is bad. I guess we have some catching up to do. I have already taught my 9th grader to figure out what a teacher wants before writing though. Grades will matter when it comes to college apps. Fortunately, I've already indoctrinated him in how to think, so we talk about things at home and he gets to air his opinions here. English and history are the worst (sigh). Science and math are fine, but our school is just really bad at teaching those (below state standards and state standards are REALLY low). My guy just completed French I too and they didn't even start learning any form of past tense. Apparently that's now in French II. I so wish he'd want to come back home... (but he has other, more important issues, that keep him there). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Didn't you tell them that since you know everything there is to know that will be just perfect, LOL? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMary2 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I have been accused of indoctrinating my kids. As if the public school wouldn't do their own brand of indoctrination if my kids were attending. I will usually point that out. Besides, indoctrinating my kids is my right:D Seriously, my goal is to teach them to think for themselves and to be logical and rational people who aren't ruled by their emotions and swayed by propaganda tactics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I am a lawyer. I make money arguing either side of an issue. Some bonehead actually used this argument to suggest that my dd will be only exposed to liberal ideas as that is our political and social orientation. I would never rob my child of the ability to think for herself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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