The Arguments Against Homeschooling

What about having our children be salt & light in a dark world?

Many people say that they want their children to be the light in a dark place. We all know that our world is dark and it seems to be headed in a much darker direction. However, the idea that sending our young children, who are very easily influenced, into the anti-God government institution of the school, with hopes that they will be a light just doesn’t work. These children are too young to know how to be salt and light. They are fragile and weak. They need our guidance. They are so easily manipulated and influenced.

We are called to raise up our children. As parents, we should be their primary influence. However, when you send your child away to be surrounded by strangers for 8 hours a day, you have no idea how they are being influenced.

Even private and Christian schools surround our children with bad influences. I have seen it from my own experience. It is a dangerous place, maybe even more so than public school. Because these kids will look clean and proper on the outside to fit the “Christian” stereotype, but they are just much better at hiding their darkness and often are fake.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

What about “socialization”?

 This is a question that drives me crazy!

You actually shouldn’t want your child to be socialized by an anti-God group. The influences children are around when they are at school all day are not good. I would argue tooth and nail that these influences are detrimental to your child’s well-being and soul. You are throwing them to the wolves.

The family is what God put in place to be your child’s main socialization. Children do just fine in social settings when they are homeschooled. Sure, there may be those few odd examples of children who can’t socialize… but that surely is not the norm. And it probably has nothing to do with the fact that they are homeschooled. As a homeschool mom, I can tell you that all of my children have many opportunities to be social! And in environments where I am there and a part of what is going on. For example: gymnastics class, community sports, youth group at church and church, having friends over, our CC group (Classical Conversations homeschool community day) or other homeschool groups and co-ops, Trail Life, art class, and on and on I could go.

I don’t know many homeschoolers who lock their kids up in the house all day and never let them out. I find the homeschool families actually tend to be more involved in extra-curricular activities. The flexibility of your schedule when homeschooling allows for this freedom. You are not tied to waiting until after school or work.

A funny example comes from my oldest. She has found that she is actually MORE social after being homeschooled. After spending her life in private and public schools, she had a hard time. She felt that most of the kids were fake or trashy or clicky… and she just couldn’t find her place. She would focus on academics. After finding new friends through our homeschool group, she told me- “it’s funny, I’m actually way social being homeschooled than I was before. And for the first time I feel like these kids are talking about me behind my back.”

What about that only-child? Mom and dad are still to be #1 in his or her life. Then you can find friends from homeschool groups and church, sports, neighbors, etc. But the calling to train up your child still falls on you. You will find opportunities to socialize. 

Again, I highly recommend this book to dig deeper:

Education: Does God Have an Opinion? – Israel Wayne
https://www.familyrenewal.org/store/products/homeschooling/