The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

Homeschooling seems like the best option in some cases, but it does have some pros and cons that you'll need to be aware of.

Homeschooling is an alternative that’s not the most common in families, but it has its followers. Opting out of sending your child to a mainstream school represents a great responsibility, which only some can fulfill. The necessary preparation is needed to deliver adequate programs, as well as the space and time for the teaching to be effective. In the following article, we’ll take a close look at the pros and cons of homeschooling.

The reasons for making this decision are varied, but most focus more on the parents than on the children. In these cases, we’re talking about families that agree that the advantages prevailed over the disappointments; That’s why we’re going to analyze whether or not education at home could be more advantageous for your little ones.

The pros of homeschooling

The fact that children enjoy the opportunity of having their father or mother by their side all the time and fully responsible for their education can be considered one of the main advantages of this model of education. However, many other factors affect the assessment of this modality, for example, the possibility of saving, reducing stress, and improving family ties.

Among the main advantages, families who opt for this educational model take into account the following points:

• Concerns regarding protocol and/or legal matters having to do with schools are eliminated.
• There are more opportunities to discover and apply whatever method is best for the child.
• You can design your own schedule according to the convenience of each family member.
• The possibility of a child being affected by peer pressure or bullying is extinguished.
• You can adapt themes in order to spark greater interest in educational content.
• There’s no obligation to spend a great deal on transportation, uniforms, school lunches, and unnecessary school supplies.
• There’s no time lost in travels to and from school, so there’s more time to spend on other activities.
• Decreases stress levels.
• The child doesn’t suffer from superficial competition about the way they dress, the accessories they wear, or their personality.
• The education they receive allows them to join study groups or any activity that implies excelling academically.
• Homeschooling improves family relationships.
• The chances of catching viruses and diseases that are commonly spread in schools are lower.
• Parents can protect their children from moral and philosophical ideas that are alien to their personal interests.

The cons of homeschooling

Perhaps by now, the advantages have already convinced your that homeschooling is the best option. However, it’s important to keep in mind that for every pro, there may be a con that’s more significant; For example, “protecting” children from facing peer pressure doesn’t mean that this is entirely healthy for them.

• Some public education benefits, services, and resources that aren’t provided for homeschooled children may be lost.
• It becomes an unbreakable commitment, which leaves the responsibility in the hands of the parent. This requires an interest and vocation to teach, which becomes mandatory.
• Sometimes a structured setup is required to achieve better results for children with attention or learning problems. In this regard, mainstream schools are generally designed to favor a child’s concentration and willingness to learn.
• Flexibility and relaxation could allow interest to be lost, as homeschooling can allow for a lesser degree of discipline. Having to be obedient to school authorities isn’t the same as feeling that your mother is going to let you get away with doing less.
• The child spends the whole day at home, which prevents adequate rest and the opportunity to carry out other projects.
• Socialization between children and with adult school figures is essential in the emotional development of children. For this reason, some unhealthy social isolation can take place.
• There’s less contact with different ideas, as the activities tend to be developed around the interests of the particular child and/or their parents. This can make them less tolerant of other people’s opinions, which deteriorates their mental openness to new concepts.
• Children miss out on outreach activities such as drama, music class, sports, debate teams, field trips, etc.
• They may not have many friends their age.
• The child’s education takes up much of the time available for other family activities.
• There’s an obligation to follow a school program that harmonizes their level with that of other children of their age, which prevents the transmission of learning from being made more flexible or modified.