laughing lioness Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Is homeschooling something that you do in order to effect change? Are you a social reformer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 No. Not really... I do it for my own kids and my own family. If that somehow changes the world for the better, then lovely. But it's not my motivation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 No. I did it so I could give my kids a fantastic education. Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2boys Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Nope. I homeschool to give my kids an excellent education, not to change the world. I'll get to that when I am done raising them. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashleen Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Not at all. However all of our personal choices are political choices in some way, even when we don't think of them that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I began homeschooling because I thought it was the best educational choice for my children. I am now protective and appreciative of our social/political environment that offers us the freedom to homeschool. The longer I homeschool the more I feel that we, as a society, need to shake off the static idea of what constitues what education is. Some people really do have really inflexible ideas about schooling. I think the homogenization of education really made us a less creative and interesting people. So While I began and continue to homeschool because I think it's the best choice for our family, I'm also glad that I participate in a very small way with offering others a real example of what else is possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 No, not really. I homeschool because I didn't want to sacrifice my dc (by keeping them in ps) while I worked at trying to make things different. In this district, if you aren't rich, they have no interest in your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I wouldn't say social reform is the reason I homeschool nor would I label myself a "reformer", but... I do believe that change begins with our children. I do believe that how I'm educating/raising them is against the social norm to at least some degree, maybe even a huge degree. Thus being a "social reformer" may not be my goal or reason, but it is a by-product of my life. A friend gave me a bumper sticker that I just loved years ago (since upgraded to much larger vehicle) and was the first and only bumber sticker we ever put on one of our cars. It showed a bunch of diapered babies and said: "Changing society one diaper at a time." So if that makes me a social reformer - then I guess I am.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in NH Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No. I just thought it was right for my family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosy Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 That's not my reason for homeschooling, but I do think my kids will be better, more productive, more influential members of society because of the quality and content of the education they're getting at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 "The personal is political." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoboys Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I homeschool because I want my son to have a good education, and we can't afford private school right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibbyl Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 (edited) No, our homeschooling and unschooling had nothing to do with social reform. It was a good fit for our family at the time. Your question implies that some homeschoolers are ideologically driven; I certainly hope that their children's needs take precedence over parents' ideals. Edited October 7, 2008 by tibbyl spelling error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No....I want to be able to teach and raise my children...not someone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I began homeschooling because I thought it was the best educational choice for my children. I am now protective and appreciative of our social/political environment that offers us the freedom to homeschool. The longer I homeschool the more I feel that we, as a society, need to shake off the static idea of what constitues what education is. Some people really do have really inflexible ideas about schooling. I think the homogenization of education really made us a less creative and interesting people. So While I began and continue to homeschool because I think it's the best choice for our family, I'm also glad that I participate in a very small way with offering others a real example of what else is possible. :iagree: The phrase "charity starts at home" came to mind, but so does social reform, in my opinion. I figure doing things like homeschooling and breastfeeding in public are making it that bit more normal to the people I encounter, which makes it easier for the next bod who wants to do it. :) Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I don't do anything with the goal of social reform. I have one idea that I hope others copy (having to do with landscaping), but I'm not out to reform anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soph the vet Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 In some respects, yes. (I have to say yes or I would have to edit my signature:001_smile:). I believe our homeschool and the majority of homeschools out there are counter-cultural in some way. For example, my dc have a regular diet of good literature and absolutely no sitcoms. They get lots of fresh air and time to explore in the middle of the day while the bulk of their peers are in artificial environments called classrooms. My dd10 actually enjoys participating in conversations on topics that many adults shy away from (politics, religion, social issues). I look at the way many Americans are being dumbed down by their choice of TV viewing, their role models (the View, Hollywood actors, rock stars:glare:), their lack of interpersonal skills from too much time in cyberspace, on a cellphone or texting rather than talking and I think ahhh! My hope is that my dc will not be like that but will see good and evil for what they are and that their actions will edify the good and trounce the evil around them. If that leads to social reform so be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Academy of Jedi Arts Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No, our homeschooling and unschooling had nothing to do with social reform. It was a good fit for our family at the time. Your question implies that some homeschoolers are ideologically driven; I certainly hope that their children's needs take precidence over parents' ideals. Well said. I think the fact that my child learns to think and is not stuck with only "age appropriate" material has contributed to her having a greater understanding of the world than many other kids her age. I also think not spoon feeding kids information is a good thing. However, all that could be accomplished in the right school, so homeschooling in and of itself is not a game changer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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