Do You Wish You Hadn’t Been Homeschooled?

A Quora participant recently posted this question on the forum.“For the homeschooled individuals on Quora, do you wish you hadn't been homeschooled?” Of the 14 people on Quora who answered this question to date (24 May 2017), most answered no.

​No (I am happy I was homeschooled)

• 62% - 8  Out of 13

Yes (I am not happy I was homeschooled)

• 23% - 3 Out of 13

Yes and No

• 15% - 2 Out of 13

Those who answered No received 421 upvotes (93% of upvotes), while those who answered Yes received 31 upvotes (7% of upvotes). While this mini-study is not the most effective way to determine the question, I feel it gives some indication as to the feelings on homeschooling many homeschool graduates have.
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My answer to this question is no (although I’m not included in the above numbers). That is, I am thoroughly glad I was homeschooled. See some videos of my homeschooling experience, along with other girls who were homeschooled

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Pros of Homeschooling identified

​Many people commented on how little work they had to do when they were homeschooled. Some had to do none (and were none too pleased about it in hindsight), while others did around 2-4 hours of formal homework. Even so, many said they believed homeschooling allowed them to peruse academics with more vigour than schools allowed for. This, in turn, allowed for greater success in college/university upon homeschool graduation.

Homeschooling allowed time for low-stress, interest-based learning and was flexible enough to let students pick their own subjects, within reason. Students found they could also tailor their education, a situation that was helpful for those with special needs or disabilities. Extra-curricular activities could also be pursued with more enthusiasm and time.
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Homeschooling allowed children to develop their personality more than a school would where children would be following others through sheer peer pressure. In addition, homeschooling avoided the bullying issue many encounter at school (as one formerly homeschooled respondent found out!).  A home education allowed respondents to talk to others, especially older individuals with more maturity and poise. 

Cons of Homeschooling identified

Most people who didn’t enjoy homeschooling objected to the way their parents didn’t involve them in socialisation opportunities enough. Others objected to the level of education they were given and said their parents didn’t seem to value or care about a formal education (this was a situation they found frustrating as they tried to enter the world on graduation).

Others, who no longer sound like they are Christians, found their home schools overly religious and believed their parents subsequently homeschooled for the wrong reasons (that is sheltering and isolation). Comments surrounding religiosity were the most vitriolic and passionate reasons given against Christian homeschooling in particular. (I find it a shame that the gospel seemed to figure so little, yet religiosity and rule-following were so prominent in answers like these).

Over-sheltering from other viewpoints, such as other religious worldviews were also a cause for regret in many homeschool graduates.  Some children regretted that they were not allowed to play with other non-Christian children as their parents were afraid of the non-Christian children’s influence over their Christian homeschooled kids. They were only allowed to be friends with children from other Christian families.

Some homeschool graduates also felt like outcasts on homeschool graduation because they were homeschooled. They felt they could not socialise easily with others at work as a result of being homeschooled.
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While there are many more pros and cons of homeschooling, I believe this croud-sourced answer gives light to the most prominent ways to make a home school succeed or fail. If you’re a parent thinking about homeschooling your children, researching ways to make a home school successful may just make you avoid mistakes (and dissatisfied homeschoolers) in the future.

If you would like to know more about homeschooling, I highly recommend doing some reading on the subject and familiarizing yourself with the issues.  I believe the cons of homeschooling are easily circumnavigated with prayer and education on the topic. 
 
If you would like to answer the question yourself, click here or answer the question by commenting below.
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