Anyone see this? http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/unschooling-homeschooling-book-tests-classes/story?id=10410867
I think the biggest problem here is that they took a small part of the homeschooling population and highlighted the extremists within that small group. Unschoolers aren't in the majority (some who claim to unschool really don't). Radical unschoolers make up a small percentage of unschoolers. I don't think everything should be left up to the kids. We would have a very messy world if we did that. I don't even think the majority of kids do enough chores (I am upping my son's chore load). Also, we do need to direct some required learning, but we don't need to push as hard as the public/private schools do. It seem to me they want to paint this horrible picture of homeschoolers by showing the method that will surely be the most contraversial. That would be like saying that all Christians are like the nuts who protest at soldiers' funerals.
It certainly was biased reporting, but I think all reporting is biased nowadays. They inferred that 10-20% of all homeschoolers are radical unschoolers who just sit around, goof around, etc all day. I think some clever editing was done to make the family look as bad as possible.
It seemed like this was more about a parenting style than a schooling choice. Aren't these parents known as free-range parents? Basically, they aren't parents at all. And it's not really a family--- just a group of people living in the same house doing whatever they want. It's frustrating that people will see that and think that all homeschoolers need to be regulated because of the extremes of one group of people.
You have to remember that's RADICAL unschooling. There are other unschoolers such as myself that do make rules and have lots of library books (living books) around our house that are used daily.
Well, I was wondering when the "mainstream" media would start their attack on homeschool again. I mean, it is rather predictable, what with the comparison of conservatives to domestic terrorists over the weekend by Bill Clinton. What better way to alienate these "radicals" than to point out that "10%" of homeschoolers are actually radical unschoolers. First of all - I beg to differ with that number. I've probably run into a handful of unschoolers in my 8 years as a homeschool parent and curriculum provider. But whatever. The numbers don't matter because a version of this method is actually being used all over the country in "mainstream" schools - yes - it is called Montessori and no one seems to be doing any "stories" on them. Second - they start the piece with "Imagine a WORLD without school." What they really mean is a world without their idea of school. Let's just get that straight. But again. Whatever. It is clear that the reporter from ABC has no idea what she's talking about - "Did you ever miss or regret not being in a NORMAL school?" Define normal? Maybe normal means government institutions flooded with card carrying union members whining about how they don't make enough money? Or maybe a normal school is one where students are bullied, beat up, or worse. Unschooling is not for everyone and just about every homeschool I've ever met knows that this method would not work for them. That 10% number is false. The radical unschooler is few and far between. But I will let you into a little secret – I WISH I was an unschooler. I do. I love them, respect them, and will protect their rights to homeschool right along with my own because it is up to the PARENT to decide how to teach their children life lessons, not JuJu whatshername or the Department of Education. This story isn’t about unschooling, homeschooling, or anything else. This piece is to show "mainstream" America that homeschoolers are not regulated enough. That homeschoolers, because they support unschooling, must have more government involved in their lives. It is just another pathetic attempt to marginalize people who refuse to let Big Daddy Government take care of them.
If you really really pay attention to the piece, they have done like every other aspect of television that we see, they have edited it to look like the kids only watch tv, play video games and goof off. The boy started talking about the seeds they were growing and it's instantly cut off and followed by him playing video games. I do believe in unschooling to a point.. I don't believe that what many call radical unschooling is so much about unschooling as it is about unparenting.. a huge difference and what I feel these parents are doing. They purposely focused on the fact that these parents give the children no rules or boundaries... to me, that is unparenting, not unschooling... unparenting means unschooling, but unschooling does not need to mean unparenting. Kids NEED boundaries and guidance, it's ok to let them learn how and what they want, but you have to set the path in some way, even if it is gently.
they had more on it today reading some of the e mails. Said they got hit hard. they should. I agree with Sommer they show the kids seeds then hit off really fast and went to things like computer and games. Another WOW for me two in one day. Anything to down grade homeschoolers. They love it. I think its because school are getting hit hard with the kids that are staying home and they are trying to get them back.
I couldn't even make it all the way through the video. I agree that 10% seems a bit high of an estimate for 'radical unschoolers' I know I'm just getting started, but I've been looking into homeschooling for 6 years. I have yet to met a "radical unschooler". The unschoolers I know still use books, worksheets, ect it's just not forced. And their kids do have rules even if they aren't MADE to do 10 worksheets a day. I can't believe a news organization this big would cast homeschoolers in this light and not do a story on a family that follows a strict curriculum too. Maybe we should write letters and suggest that. Why not a story on people who use lots of different methods.... I plan to do an eclectic mix, but unschooling is def part of it, letting my child decide what to study for science and social studies is important to me. To see what he wants to learn about math, ect. That doesn't mean they can do what they want in regards to anything and everything.
ugh :roll: i could barely sit through it. The reporter was making me furious. She was so obviously reporting only the parts that made unschooling look ridiculous. It is her JOB to report facts not her opinions, which she made no attempt to hide. As a homeschooler I feel I have to defend myself enough as it is, and news segments like this don't help the cause.
I didn't make it thru....I admit it. It just wouldn't work for me. I just beilieve to firmly that children need guidance and letting them just full on be in charge, well...I think it doesn't work when you go out into a world where society is heavily regulated. However-more power to them. Unfortunately, I didn't like the way it was reported at all. Um, homeschool and unschool-to me-are not the same. I have a really hard time with people that try to tell me that homeschool should be more regulated. People in this country don't seem to realize how very little the FEDERAL GOVT has to do with education. Almost all education is done thru the state....and if the FED GOVT tried to regulate homeschooling severely-especially on a national level (which is the only level they can-thru commerce law, but I digress)...there would be SO MANY CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST IT!!! We would never be forced into that. But seriously-WHY MUST THE MEDIA PORTRAY THINGS LIKE THAT? I mean-why not portray how well balanced they are-how happy-how stable their family is-or how they communicate with their parents(which most parents with teenagers could use!). Ichy reporting. And exactly what people will try to use against me at the next family gathering.....
