Unschooling

I already knew when I was a kid that I'd never have children of my own. The fact that where I grew up, children are forced to go to school, was one reason for that decision.

 

Yeah shit man, i can understand that, screw any personal responsibility, we are all a result of the machine, there is no way out.

Anywayz, don't take this the wrong way, but i think you're full of shit, have a nice day preacher man.

 

well, really, the way i see it, public schooling is just the bare minimum requirement for carrying on a conversation. the real education is all the stuff the comes after class.

 

i got it, it's just not funny. :toetap05:

okay, maybe a little funny.

 

Yea, like when my female teacher had sex with me, I learned a great lesson

 

I always get a kick out of people who are full of opinions, advice, and judgment, without an iota of life experience to back that up. lol!

 

:cheers2: that's right. good times.

 

Exactly. Just because I chose homeschooling doesn't mean that I think public school route is a complete loss. I think alot depends on the quality of that SPECIFIC school and teacher(s), and the parental involvement. Like you said, KC, alot can happen outside of school and parents play a big role in what's possible there.

Also, each child is unique and some will be driven regardless of parental influence. My husband, for example, had a rough childhood and his family and teachers had completely given up on him and said the best he could do was to wind up in jail or dead. And he found it within himself to put himself through college and get as far as a masters degree, while being a single parent at that. So go figure. And frankly, he's not one of those intellectual types at all... he values the wisdom he's acquired through life experience much more.

 

was she hot?

 

You claim that I don't have any life experience. Firstly, you don't know that. Secondly, this thread is about unschooling. I did go to school and experienced what it did to me. I also saw what it did to others. My experience is that what children need is the freedom to live and unfold - the freedom to discover and follow their own ways - the freedom to find their own truths.
In my experience, schools do what they can to prevent this. How else should beings which are open and honest and full of life become citizens who spend their lives working instead of living, and who do what they are told without questioning or realizing what's going on?
In addition, the material that's taught at schools has definitely nothing to do with the kind of knowledge one needs to have a fulfilling and genuine and enriching life.

 

The few people I know that were home schooled are soft centred, or over-enthusiastic naive pussies who have no idea how the real world works and can't relate to the everyday man and his or her conventions. I don't particularly think these conventions are a good thing, but I think it is important to grow up alongside your peers and get a glimpse into their mindset, and an understanding of the society, that no matter how homeschooled or unschooled you are, you will inevitably be thrust into. The de-institutionalisation can always come later on as a free thinking adult.

I think it is important to empathise with the rest of humanity, and in order to do so you have to go through some of the same things. I know a girl who was homeschooled who has all kinds of aspirations to change the world and help humanity, but she really despises most people, has more morals than ethical principles and just can't relate to anybody who isn't a genius. Its quite sad.

 

Children need structure.

 

my kids need out from under my thumb.

 

o hai, yes she was

 

The experience I was referring to was that of being a parent entrusted with the task of how best to rear and educate one's child. You have your own experience of education, of course, but from the perspective of a parent/educator all you have is conjecture. I don't disagree with you about the public school system as a whole, although there are some good teachers here and there. My daughter went to public school up until about a year ago and had a fantastic teacher at one point, and then such a horrible one to follow that we were forced to withdraw her from school quite suddenly and unexpectedly.

There are pros and cons to every situation and I don't see anything as all black and white, as there are many variables to consider, which is why I don't judge anyone who sends their kids to public school. But generally speaking I don't find public education to be valuable any longer, and for our family at least, homeschooling is preferable.

 

This whole thread is.

I don't think school's about brainwashing and all that crap, seriously, I think it's important. When I have kids they'll go to school. You need more in your life than to just slack around all day, "finding yourself"... Actually, this really irritates me, you know who else spends all day finding themselves and living their life? Fuckers on dole or on benefits.

Also, if someone's really happy in a 'mediocre' life, I'd say it's more than just mediocre.

 

I understand what you're saying there, Face Eater, and in a way I think you have a point, although alot depends on how the homeschooling is done. One of the potential benefits, I think, is that homeschooling can minimize the typical influences and peer pressures to conform to the status quo. If this is done while also not judging and condemning the status quo, then it can be quite beneficial, as the child will have a certain degree of freedom to explore and form one's own views without hindrance.

I agree with the empathy part.. and perhaps to a certain extent one would have to go through the same life experiences. But perhaps this "institutionalization" can come later on, after one has had the opportunity to truly become a free thinking adult.

 

I agree with this. People who complain about their lives, but are lazy asses irritate the crap out of me.
When it comes down to it, homeschooling, unschooling, boarding school, it doesn't matter (as long as all of those options provide age-appropriate learning and some structure). It's all about how hard your kiddo is willing to work after all that.

 

Be irritated all you want. Nobody's stopping you.

 

As they are too lazy to do so.