Home Schooling: The Personal Is the Political

August 29, 2007 / 2:53 am • By Dr. Melissa Clouthier

Some people in my life think I’m absolutely insane for taking on this endeavor. Some think I’m finally fulfilling God’s will for my life. It’s like there is no in between.

The last time I felt that my behavior so polarized acquaintances was when I opted to give birth at home. Scandalous! One friend felt that I was making a statement rejecting the medical field. I was doing nothing of the sort. Another thought I was abusing my future child by being so “careless” as to home birth.

Must home schooling be a political statement?

I thought you might like to read this book, if you’re considering a classical education.

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  • Marcy Muser

    Melissa,

    Unfortunately, even though so many people homeschool today, it seems homeschooling IS a political statement. I don’t think it has to be as extreme as the alternatives you mention, but homeschoolers threaten the system just by our very existence. There are many who believe that by saying the public school is not best for my child, I am therefore saying the public school is not best for any child. While I do believe our public school system is generally in pretty poor condition, I think there are many kids who do well in the public schools. In fact, at this point, I think my own children would do well in public school; I just think they do even better at home. I’ve watched my daughters blossom and develop so beautifully under the home learning environment that I’m not willing to put them in an artificial learning situation like school.

    I certainly don’t believe everyone ought to do what I’ve done; it takes a tremendous amount of work. I just know it’s what has been best for my family during this time in our lives. Someday another option may be better, and that’s fine with me too.

    I hope you enjoy this adventure with your daughter as much as I’ve enjoyed mine. And hang in there – once you’ve got a couple of years under your belt and you’ve seen your daughter prosper, the comments of other people will matter a lot less than they do today. :)