Teach Your Own

1. Homeschooling Empowers Parents and Protects Children

Mostly for three reasons: they think that raising their children is their business not the government’s; they enjoy being with their children and watching and helping them learn, and don’t want to give that up to others; they want to keep them from being hurt, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Parental rights and safety. Homeschooling arises from a parent's conviction that they, not the state, hold primary responsibility for their children's upbringing. This choice stems from a desire to actively participate in their children's learning journey, and to shield them from potential harm within the school system. This harm can range from academic inadequacy to social pressures and even physical danger.

Beyond academics. The decision to homeschool often transcends mere academic concerns. It reflects a deeper commitment to nurturing a child's overall well-being, fostering their unique talents, and instilling values that align with the family's beliefs. This holistic approach recognizes that education extends far beyond textbooks and standardized tests.

A growing movement. Homeschooling is a legal option in all fifty states and many countries, and its popularity continues to grow. This growth is fueled by increasing dissatisfaction with traditional schooling, a desire for closer family relationships, and the availability of resources and support networks for homeschooling families.

2. Schools Often Fail to Meet Individual Needs

One reason that so few schools are any good at their work is that they are not serious.

Systemic shortcomings. Schools often fall short of their educational goals due to a lack of seriousness, blaming students for failures while taking credit for successes. This creates a system where genuine learning is secondary to institutional concerns. The focus on standardized testing and rigid curricula further exacerbates the problem.

Incompetence and inflexibility. The author cites examples of schools implementing ineffective reading programs and prioritizing conformity over individual learning styles. This inflexibility can stifle a child's natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. The emphasis on rote memorization and standardized assessments often fails to cultivate critical thinking skills.

Harmful practices. Schools may engage in practices that violate children's civil liberties, such as maintaining secret records, administering compulsory psychological testing, and using corporal punishment. These practices can create a climate of fear and distrust, hindering a child's ability to thrive.

3. Compulsory Schooling Infringes on Civil Liberties

Though the courts have not yet agreed, compulsory school attendance laws, in and of themselves, seem to me a very serious infringement of the civil liberties of children and their parents, and would be so no matter what schools were like, how they were organized, or how they treated children, in other words, even if they were far more humane and effective than in fact they are.

Forced attendance. Compulsory schooling, in its essence, compels individuals to be present at a specific location for a significant portion of their lives, adhering to prescribed activities. This mandate, irrespective of the school's quality, constitutes a violation of personal freedom. The state's justification for this infringement, citing the need to prevent ignorance and societal burden, does not supersede the fundamental liberties of citizens.

Erosion of rights. The author argues that schools often violate children's civil liberties through practices such as maintaining secret records, compulsory psychological testing, and the use of corporal punishment. These actions, coupled with a lack of due process, create an environment where children's rights are often disregarded.

ACLU's stance. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has historically prioritized a child's right to attend school over their right to abstain. The author advocates for the ACLU to adopt a stronger stance on protecting children's rights within the context of compulsory schooling.

4. Unschooling Offers a Different Path

In response to the prevailing definition of the word “school,” John created the word “unschooling” to describe how we help children learn without duplicating ideas and practices that we learned in school.

Beyond traditional schooling. Unschooling challenges the conventional notion that education must replicate the structure and methods of traditional schooling. It emphasizes learning through experience, exploration, and self-direction. This approach recognizes that children are naturally curious and capable of guiding their own learning journeys.

Facilitating learning. Unschooling prioritizes creating an environment where children can learn, rather than imposing instruction upon them. This involves providing access to resources, opportunities, and experiences that spark their interests and foster their intellectual growth. The role of the parent shifts from instructor to facilitator, supporting and guiding the child's learning process.

Challenging assumptions. Unschooling encourages families to question the assumptions and practices of traditional schooling, such as standardized curricula, grades, and age-based groupings. It empowers them to create a learning environment that is tailored to the individual needs and interests of their children.

5. Homeschooling Fosters Socialization and Responsibility

It’s ironic that one of the common criticisms of homeschooling, that children won’t be properly socialized, was actually, in John’s mind, a major reason homeschooling makes sense.

Socialization beyond school. Homeschooling, contrary to popular belief, can enhance socialization by allowing children to interact with a diverse range of people in various settings. This includes family, community, and the broader world, fostering a more natural and well-rounded social development.

Real-world experiences. Homeschooling provides opportunities for children to engage in real-world activities, such as volunteering, apprenticeships, and community projects. These experiences instill a sense of responsibility, purpose, and connection to the wider world.

Challenging stereotypes. The author challenges the stereotype of homeschooled children as social misfits, citing examples of thriving, well-adjusted individuals who have benefited from homeschooling. He emphasizes that socialization is not limited to the school environment and can be effectively cultivated through other means.

6. Addressing Common Objections to Homeschooling

People are best able, and perhaps only able, to cross the many barriers of race, class, custom, and belief that divide them when they are able to share experiences that make them feel good.

Social glue and diversity. Compulsory public schools are often touted as essential for creating social cohesion and exposing children to diverse perspectives. However, the author argues that schools often fail to achieve this goal due to tracking, segregation, and a focus on competition. Homeschooling, when done thoughtfully, can provide opportunities for children to interact with a wider range of people and develop a stronger sense of empathy and understanding.

Preventing bigotry. Concerns are often raised about parents with narrow or bigoted views passing these on to their children through homeschooling. The author counters that the alternative, granting the government the power to dictate what ideas are good or bad, is even more dangerous. He emphasizes the importance of freedom of thought and expression, even when it comes to unpopular or controversial beliefs.

Fitting into mass society. The author challenges the notion that schools are necessary for preparing children to fit into mass society. He argues that schools often prioritize conformity over individuality and that homeschooling can empower children to develop their own values and resist the pressures of commercialism.

7. Learning Thrives in a Supportive Environment

One of the reasons why growing numbers of people are so passionately opposed to the public schools is that these schools are in fact acting as if someone had explicitly and legally given them the power to promote one set of ideas and to put down others.

Incompetence of schools. The author criticizes the incompetence of many schools, citing examples of ineffective teaching methods, rigid curricula, and a tendency to blame students for failures. He argues that schools often prioritize control and conformity over genuine learning.

Civil liberties of children. The author raises concerns about the violation of children's civil liberties in schools, including the maintenance of secret records, compulsory psychological testing, and the use of corporal punishment. He argues that these practices create a hostile and oppressive environment for many students.

New sense of responsibility. The author highlights a growing trend of parents taking a more active role in their children's education, driven by a desire to protect them from harm and nurture their individual talents. This new sense of responsibility is fueling the homeschooling movement.

8. Children Learn Through Play and Exploration

Children do often seem to me like talented barbarians, who would really like to become civilized.

Nature and needs of children. Children are naturally curious, energetic, and resourceful, eager to explore and master the world around them. They thrive in environments that allow them to pursue their interests and learn at their own pace.

Harmful effects of school. Schools often stifle children's natural curiosity and enthusiasm by imposing rigid schedules, standardized curricula, and a focus on grades. This can lead to a loss of spontaneity, creativity, and a love of learning.

Importance of play. Play, fantasy, and exploration are essential for children's development. They allow them to experiment, make sense of the world, and develop coping mechanisms for dealing with challenges.

9. The Importance of Real-World Skills and Experiences

If you don’t send your children to school, how are they going to be exposed to any values other than the commercial values of a mass society?

Beyond the curriculum. The author emphasizes the importance of real-world skills and experiences, such as handling money, cooking, and participating in community activities. These experiences provide valuable learning opportunities that are often missing from traditional school curricula.

Learning by doing. Children learn best by doing, by engaging in activities that are meaningful and purposeful. This can involve helping with household chores, volunteering in the community, or pursuing personal projects.

Connecting with adults. Children benefit from interacting with adults who are passionate about their work and willing to share their knowledge and skills. This can involve apprenticeships, mentorships, or simply spending time with adults who are engaged in meaningful activities.

10. Schools Can Support Homeschooling Families

In terms of both the short-run and long-run interests of themselves and of the general public, the schools would be wise to view the growing home education movement not as a threat but as an opportunity and a potential asset, and, rather than resist it, to support it to the fullest extent.

Collaboration, not conflict. The author argues that schools should view homeschooling families as allies rather than adversaries. By cooperating with homeschooling families, schools can tap into a valuable resource and improve their own educational practices.

Benefits of cooperation. Schools can benefit from the expertise and resources of homeschooling families, as well as the insights they have gained from their unique learning experiences. Homeschooling families can also benefit from access to school facilities, resources, and specialized programs.

Addressing the root causes. The author suggests that schools should focus on addressing the underlying issues that drive parents to homeschool, such as a lack of individualization, a rigid curriculum, and a hostile learning environment. By creating more flexible and responsive learning environments, schools can attract and retain more students.

Last updated: March 23, 2025