Posted on 11/07/2001 3:22:08 PM PST by real saxophonist
Think twice before home schooling
By Mike Crawford
I am writing this letter that I pray will be read by an increasing number of Christian parents who are strongly and seriously considering pulling their Christian children out of the traditional schooling system (which includes public, charter and private schools in this area) for various reasons to home school them.
Christian parents, before you actually follow through with this plan, just maybe you should seriously consider the possibility that such plans may involve some long-term negative social/emotional consequences in future years for your children. For instance, please consider the following:
1. In respect to the Great Commission in the book of Matthew, by pulling these children out of these schooling systems to home school them, your Christian child will be denied an excellent opportunity to be a positive role model and leader among his or her fellow students.
2. The school environment may not appear always to be perfect and ideal to you for your children as the sheltered home environment, but your children can actually grow stronger as a result of the trials they will likely endure in this school environment. In short terms, please take note that "cloistering" (over-protecting) your children can actually be far more harmful in the end.
3. By pulling them out of these school systems to home school them, you will be very likely denying them the opportunities to partake in character-developing, extracurricular activities such as athletics, band, choir or debate, etc. These kinds of activities, such as team sports, teach your children how to work as team member in various capacities later in life. And athletics, in particular, help your children develop in physical ways, such as coordination, while the academics develop the mental part of their bodies. From a social standpoint, being involved in athletics and/or other extracurricular activities is very important for your children's overall education progress/experience; thus please don't deny your children of such an opportunity to partake in these.
4. Realize that your children have established some very close friendships with some of their classmates; therefore, asking them to totally forsake these relationships will be a very selfish thing to expect of them. Further, by pulling the children out of these schools I listed before and home schooling them, you could very well run the risk of your children evolving into those who are extremely socially prejudiced of others.
Please do allow me to offer this sound advice: If your decision as a Christian parent is to home school your children, by all means, discuss this openly with your children and truly give strong consideration to how they feel about being taken out of their school and away from their friends. If you force home schooling upon them without so much as considering their concerns you will be in for one rough journey in your life as a parent. I will certainly assure you that you will not enjoy seeing the potentially disastrous outcome.
One final note: If your pastor is one who chooses to constantly "pressure" you to take your children out of their schools and home school them, it is best you recognize this as a very dangerous warning sign. Seriously search for a different church home.
Mike Crawford is a Greeley resident and Colorado native. He currently works at Wal-Mart as a sales associate in the automotive department.
I'd like to see a homschooled kid get that high up the corporate latter.
I think we should listen to this guy. Look what the public school system did for HIM!
If he worked at K-Mart, it would be understandable...
If you can't afford that, homeschool. Do it. DO NOT let government schools brainwash your children.
Get a copy of the book "The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America" and you'll never look at "education" in the same way. Here's a review from amazon.com -
"Iserbyt's exhaustive research regarding education and the economy has exposed the many myths and misinformation underlying the history of related reforms. Presented in chronological order, the author presents a stunning indictment of public and private partnerships designed to restructure education and the economy, and ultimately to redefine the very nature and purpose of not only education, but man himself. Teachers will find this book extremely useful and instructive in identifying and comprehending recent changes in education certification and training that are increasingly threatening to academic freedom, and driving many out of the teaching profession altogether. Parents of children in public, private, and home-schools alike will find Iserbyt's research equally applicable to all, as the new system is deliberately mandated for everyone. No student or adult is to be exempt from the new systemic education and labor reforms. Only by understanding the underlying agenda and strategies of the reformists can we hope to restore academic freedom and moral agency in society, and protect our children. A Must Read for every parent, educator, and legislator concerned about our children!"
I take no position on home schooling, other than the artificial barriers to it(imposed by the govt school monopoly, self-absorbed unions, and the decadent Dem. party) should be removed. OK, maybe I do hold a few opinions on it!
--He currently works at Wal-Mart as a sales associate in the automotive department.
There's a very good chance that your characterization is correct.
Home schooling is the only way as far as I am concerned. Though, I don't have any kids yet. I'll keep you posted.
Yeah...leave them in the public schools to be dumbed down and sexualized, to be traumatized by the cliques and popularity guru's....... as if there are no other places to get extra curricular activities of value.....oh, puullleeaassee...give this guy some CHEESE
He obviously knows almost nothing about home schooling. The kids are not cloistered, isolated, or insulated from society at large. They don't miss out on team athletics, choir, band, or any other so-called extra-curricula activities.
That effectively neutralizes all of Mr. Crawford's concerns.
Pagan worldview
Explicit sex education that glorifies homosexuality (and every other kind of perversion)
Free condoms
Abortion counseling
Of course there is that irreplaceable multiculturalism that teaches them that ours is the only society one is to condemn
The idols to be worshipped are animals and the earth
Yes, you've got something there, and these are just a few of the bennies they'll be missing out on! Stand before God someday and tell Him what you did with the gift of a child He gave you.
Of course we should resist any effort to restrict or "regulate" homeschooling, but by the same token those who attack people who don't go that route are just as guilty of sophistry and narrow-mindedness.
We have a wonderful public school system here (my wife teaches Second Grade in fact) and we think sending our daughter to public school is the right course for us to take.
Your Mileage May Vary, and God bless you.
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