why homeschool?

Question:
I've been reading many of the emails here and I'm gettting upset. Homeschool should be for the sick or poss. the disabled. A child can learn so much from attending school. For those of you who say "I can teach my child more because my child will get more attention", think about what you don't know. Your parents taught you whatever they knew and you learned even more from your teachers. Besides learning facts you probably learned about respect for elders and consequences for having a food fight in the caffeteria or why you can't be 3 minutes late to school. In case you dont make the connection - In a work environment 3 minutes late is a strike against you, not a laid back 3 minute make up at the breakfast table. What can you really offer your kid by teaching them at home that you couldn't teach them if they were attending school? Your robbing your child of new friends and the experience of what it's like to have a friend move away. What about schlolorships? How's your child going to compete for these against kids who are ranked in their class? Some of you might say you will put your child back in to enjoy high school years so they can play on the football team or the like. Think about how hard it will be for your child to go mainstream after being yanked out with no casual contact for 9 years. Your child won't know about competition, socail classes or accordians from music class. Opportunities are available by attending school. Opportunities that you can't offer your child. As for those of yo who are affraid for the safety of your child....your old fashioned. The world is only going to get worse...your child needs learn how to handle a situation that could result in a fight. These are all elements in making a child a respectable adult.

Answer:
- I'm not sure of any other reason for your presence here and this post other than to start something argumentative, but just so it won't be said that no one would address your tired, over discussed and well documented points, here goes........BTW, if you don't have children in the school system who have experienced the things you mention, you might want to consider that you really don't have the experience to be an expert. And don't tell me "I am a kid in school, so I know." If that is the case, then you are a child, in a situation with no objectivity, fighting your way through social situations which have absolutely nothing to do with gaining an EDUCATION!

Yes, they can, and do. And the things my son learned will take a long time to unlearn. Things like bullies win, you are only as good as the worst kid in the class, Algebra is only for the 'smart' kids, phonics and spelling are for the 'dumb' kids, it's cool to be a bad ass, Teachers are idiots who just want to make your life miserable, and the ever popular "I don't have to learn anything that 'I' don't think I'll ever have to use later on." I wonder how they learned more than my parents? Did they 'read' perchance? Did they have access to textbooks? Sorry, darlin' I've spoken with more trained teachers than you will ever know and they learn stuff the same way I do. They STUDY IT. Yes, I remember the 'respect' we learned for 'elders'. Let's see, somewhere between bad mouthing the teachers in the hall to my friends and ignoring the substitute. And what did you learn about being 3 minutes late to class? That you got to sit in the office for the remainder of class? Yep, good place to learn physics. Most of these kids have many activities and classes that they attend, on time amazingly enough. All the things that you just mentioned; respect for adults, time management, self reliance, self motivation, social interaction, manners, and then there is the Advanced math, physics, writing, Geography, History, Sociology, Personal Finance management, (and that was just this morning). All things that colleges and employers really appreciate in an adult BTW. Oh, I know. No one ever moves away, gets hurt, gets sick, dies, gets married, gets in trouble, unless they attend school. That's why we homeschool, nothing ever happens to us. Our kids have such high SAT scores, we get lots of scholarships, thanks. By showing all the academic and personal skills that they learned AT HOME. The only problem mine has had so far is the adaptation to light after being locked in that closet. " accordions from music class"? Huh? Guess I really did miss this one. I'm so glad my kids never have to compete for anything, well except that Science Fair, and the Karate class, and the football league, and the Spelling Bee, and the Geography Bee, and the Dance Contest, and the President's Physical Fitness awards program, and the Best of the Books Bee, and the swimming team........... Yeah, tell that to the parents of the dead children in Kentucky and elsewhere. My Dear, it is painfully apparent that you have no idea what you are talking about. You don't have to decide to agree to home school your children or yourself, but do some research first, OK? BTW, I corrected your spelling errors along with my own.

- I learned more from the books I read. I don't even remember my teacher's names (with the exception of a few from college). I learned nothing about respect for elders at school. As a teen-ager, I thought my teachers were stupid. Karate taught me to respect others, and well. Again, karate and the horse ranch I worked on taught me more responsibility and discipline than my entire school career. And my child never has to be anywhere at a scheduled time? Why would you say that? Let's see ... math, English, history, computer programming, art, astronomy, music, etc. Need I go on? Should be "you're." Oh, sorry. I'm nitpicking. No I'm not. My child has lots of friends. We've recently applied for some "schlolorships" [sic] and are pleased with the response. If your child shows he can compete academically and socially, there's usually no problem. Not me. This is funny! Do you think we keep our children locked in a closet? Sure he will. He competes in karate and in the other various sports and arts activities we do. Never heard of it. Our community sponsors a homeschooling band. Not that my son is interested. He plays guitar. I offer my child as much and even more than the public schools in my community. I'm not. He certainly knows how to defend himself. Knowing how to fight is going to help my child become a "respectable adult?" I prefer he become a "respected adult."