JennifersLost Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 There was a time when I was really proud of our homeschooling. It's gotten way more complicated - I've let it get way more complicated. I've let my vision be muddied, the kids have been in and out of school; all kinds of things have happened. I want to have a frank, comprehensive conversation with the kids about how we're beginning to fall into some of these bad stereotypes. I want to give them a full picture of how some people perceive homeschoolers, and talk about what concrete goals we can set for ourselves to avoid homeschooling pitfalls. The big ones are that homeschoolers can't meet deadlines. They are socially inept and too reliant on their mothers. What else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 They can't write. They can't do math. (Or, for some, they can only do math, but don't know anything else.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 They are aloof They are religious zealots They are incapable of associating with others They are too bookish They are too smart Personally I do not believe that one can be too smart and I think being bookish, in moderation, is a good thing. You did, however, ask for stereotypes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 They don't know how to just be kids. They are sheltered and less mature than their public schooled peers. They are all dorks. The whole family just wants to be different and weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Why do you need a list? If your kids are falling into stereotypical behavior then you should be able to see it and address it and shouldn't need a list. Are you doing this for your ps kids, too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumbledeb Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 We don't have many homeschoolers here but the comments I've heard from time to time lead me to believe these are stereotypical views held by some: The parents are too lazy to get their kids up and ready for school. The kids are being kept at home to work on the farm. The parents are hiding abuse by keeping the kids out of sight of teachers. The kids are weird and unable to function socially. Home education can't possibly come up to the standards of school education since parents can't afford expensive equipment available in schools. A parent can't homeschool adequately AND keep house, care for meals etc. adequately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthwestMom Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 They are undisciplined and have poor manners in a group. They aren't willing to do work unless they are personally interested in it (i.e., unwilling to do boring memorization of facts or grammar lessons). Unschooling = TV and video games all day, every day Their parents are helicopter parents who shelter their children and micromanage each experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 (edited) They are crunchy granola back to the land separatist hippie wannabees. They are rigid, fundamentalist, severe physical disciplinarian, afraid of the real world fanatics. They look down on everyone else. They are not really up to par, but they like to go around trumpeting their freedom. They are unsocialized. They can't write. They don't believe in scientific reality, nor do they do hands on experiments. They are not rigorous. They sit around in pajamas all day. Edited December 12, 2008 by Carol in Cal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 They don't do enough academics. They don't do enough relevant schoolwork. They watch tv or play video games all day. They think the world revolves around them. They are snotty, ill-behaved, self-centered. They are lazy. They just can't get up to catch the school bus. They are too difficult to work with schools. They are neglectful of their responsibilities towards the community. They are abusive and/or neglectful. They homeschool so as to have built in babysitters, maids, etc. They are limited in the opportunities in science, music, art. They don't have enough meaningful contact with people of other races, ethnicities, belief systems. They are scared...socially, emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 I might approach the conversation in a different way, more of a positive discussion of who we are and what we want to be. My experience has been that those/these stereotypes can be found in all walks of life. jm2cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 The stereotype I've experienced from other types of teachers is that of the Flaky Educator: They can't make up their minds about curriculum. They don't have any accountability, so they flit from thing to thing without developmental needs or long term goals in mind. They guess at what they should do, or base it on vague, romantic notions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 I resemble quite a few of those, especially FLAKY EDUCATOR. At least I am aware. ETA: Which is why I am rereading WTM and doing it her way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 I resemble quite a few of those, especially FLAKY EDUCATOR. At least I am aware. Yes, me too. That's why it stuck in my head. Otherwise I tend to let stereotypes roll off my back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennifersLost Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share Posted December 12, 2008 This is so awesome. Thank you, people! Don't think I'm going to sit there making my children miserable. And yes, I'm going to discuss with the kids who are in school and homeschooling. This has come up partly because another child wants to return to homeschooling. I am not willing to say yes until ALL of us get our acts together both in regards to school and in regards to our social/community life. I think I have an accurate assessment of our issues (which really boil down to "my" issues), and it's time to address them. This list is perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 A parent can't homeschool adequately AND keep house, care for meals etc. adequately. They sit around in pajamas all day These are negative? :001_huh: But my daughter's shoes are REALLY nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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