Homeschooling

» EAStolze - Germany is right to ban homeschooling.

I think the important thing to remember here is that Germany takes care of its children, and offers many programs to promote population growth. Families are given hundreds of dollars a month for each child, whether the parent(s) work or not, healthcare is all but taken care of by the German government, and the schools are regulated in a strict fashion to promote educational excellence. In other words, Germany is caring for children in ways many families, particularly in the Eastern block which is now suffering high unemployment rates due to industry moving to the West, can not. So why should they not insist that children receive a proper education?

There are no (reasonable) studies that show homeschooled children can excel in a university as a formally educated child can, which means these children could end up in low level jobs, unable to make ends meet. In other words, they will be a generation of adults that burden society. They will be illequipped to deal with social situations, and they will be sheltered, never experiencing multiple points of view until they are much older, and likely too set in their ways to adapt.

And what do I know, you may ask? I received a formal education, while my younger brother was homeschooled by state licensed teachers. He is completely dysfunctional, unable to adapt, and is flunking out of college because he isn't used to regimented schedules that require him to attend lectures and study groups outside the home. I fear for my brother's future, and for the future of any child whose parents seem to think they do not need a village to raise their child.

That's just my two cents on the matter.

-- posted by EAStolze

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» tinemarie - Germany is right to ban homeschooling.

In response to Germany is right to ban homeschooling. posted by EAStolze:

You have some imteresting points. Thanks for sharing.
I would like to point out a few things, though. One, I am sorry your brother had such a bad experience. If he was taught by state instructors, though, that would be more "tutoring" than "homeschooling". While technically homeschool is defined as education outside the typical school setting, we mainly speak of homeschooling as applied to families that handle the majority of the school themselves.
Unfortunately, there are bad experiences in homeschool just as there are in public and private school.
Second, there are studies that are "reputable" that show homeschooling can be an effective tool for both education and life preparation. However, a lot depends on how you define "reputable", and there is no use playing word games.
Germany has every right as a nation to make sure the children on its citizenship are receiving a fair and responsible education. However, the matter at issue for most people is whether any government has the right to override the "reasonable" wishes of parents in the matter of education.
Unfortunately, what appears to be happening in Germany is that some parents have a very different idea of what is a "reasonable" request than what the state supports. The Germany law is based based on a Nazi-era law that has never changed.
All that said, homeschooling is not for everyone. Not everyone would do well with it. However, that does not make it fair or right to say no one in a particular state or country can even make that decision for themselves. There are many ways that homeschooling parents and the government in Germany could compromise. It would only be a win-win for all involved.
Again, thank you for sharing your opinions, thoughts, and your own experiences!

-- posted by tinemarie

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