The Effects of Homeschooling

Essay by half-a-brainHigh School, 10th gradeA+, January 2010

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Homeschooling is detrimental to a child's development for many reasons. It is difficult to understand different types of people, when a student is home with just one person. How does a homeschooled student challenge themselves to do better when the class consists of just them? Also, how can it be expected for people, who have been isolated for most of their lives, to function normally in a society driven by individualism? A shocking thirty-two percent of Island school-aged children are currently in a homeschooling environment. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that "while every child has a right to an education and the right to attend school, parents do not have the right to direct their children's education at home, in accordance with their conscientious beliefs, and subject only to such reasonable limits as prescribed by law." (Saskatchewan Education, 1992, p. 32). Homeschooling has a negative affect on a child's development, his ability to learn, and his social skills.

First, the issue of a homeschooled child's development needs to be addressed. In the home classroom there is no differentiation between the teacher and the parent. As the child grows, he may not be as confident relating to adults as authority figures. In addition, not everybody in the family may agree to homeschooling, thus, straining family relationships and possibly severing ties. Many homeschooled children suffer from disorders such as ADHD and Down's Syndrome. Most parents do not have the proper knowledge on how to effectively teach their children to cope with these illnesses and the behaviors they cause. Moreover, learning disabilities can be aggravated or prolongedby teaching at home. It follows that there is a lack of diversity in teaching methods when there is only one teacher to learn and mature from. Most of all, it is believed that the...