Homeschooling: Advantages and Disadvantages

Homeschooling has become more and more popular today. It offers the convenience of having a good quality education in the comfort of your own home. Many parents found it to be the perfect answer to educate their children. They can focus on their children’s education and provide support. It has also been recognized by many educational institutions, colleges and various companies offering employment.

Do you want to know if homeschooling is right for your child? Before deciding, it is important to know their advantages and disadvantages in order to have a clearer view of their two different perspectives. The following are the advantages to consider:

1. If your child is physically unable to go outside due to complicated illnesses or has a disability, homeschooling would be convenient for both the child and the parents.

2. Homeschooling is associated with a close-knit family relationship, as the child only interacts with the other members of the family.

3. The child is also expected to behave well if he/she is educated at home since he/she is not exposed to various immoralities that may come to influence him/her in a real school.

4. Some parents believe that school is not a safe place for their children. Some also believe that the school is not educationally competent; many concepts are not fully taught there. In homeschooling, they are confident with the kind of education that is given to their child and they can guide their child all the time.

5. In home learning, parents can also control the educational curriculum provided to their child. You can focus your child’s learning on a specific topic if you wish.

6. Expenditures on homeschooling are cut. Kids don’t need to spend on transportation fees, expensive projects, and unnecessary school supplies.

On the other hand, the following are the disadvantages:

1. The child educated at home would not develop social skills since he is not exposed to other types of people.

2. The freedom of the child is abstained; the child would not enjoy his life as a child. There are many other things that cannot be learned in an educational setting and can only be learned through experience.

3. Some people do not believe in the academic quality of homeschooling as it does not follow the standard curriculum.

4. In some colleges, they require additional tests for homeschooled children. This is to ensure that the child is academically prepared for college.

5. Those who are educated at home for a long time and have decided to go to school find themselves lacking in social skills.

6. Homeschoolers commonly experience psychological problems when exposed to the social environment, such as entering a college/university or working at a job.

As you look at homeschooling from two different points of view, think carefully before deciding whether or not you want to do it. Be careful when making a decision as a parent would only want the best for their little ones. After all, education is the most important privilege a parent can give his child.