Homeschooling Vs. Public School

Homeschooling vs. public school is an ongoing debate since quite a while. Well, I just decided to add fuel to fire by joining in. Let's try and analyze which one is better.
Homeschooling Vs. Public School
"Jenny and Jenny were two best friends. Yes, they had the same names. That is what triggered their friendship to start with. However, by nature they were very different. This is what made them best friends. Jenny Almeida was home schooled, whereas Jenny Kramer went to a public school. Even though they came from similar family backgrounds and the same neighborhood, They were very very different. Jenny Almeida was very quiet and prim. Jenny Kramer on the other hand was a tad bit boisterous and was into the punk look. They both were good at studies, Jenny Almeida liked history and mathematics, Jenny Kramer, on the other hand, was a sports and theater fanatic."

Many would say that these differences are normal. No two girls are the same. The reason why this case was cited here was because of the main reason behind this difference- Homeschooling vs. public school. That is what inspired the difference in the two girls.

Homeschooling Pros and Cons
The pros and cons of homeschooling are not tough to find. Let's start with the pros.
  • Homeschooling gives the child more educational freedom. The kid studies and learns what he wants.
  • Physical freedom is another pro for homeschooling. Life does not revolve around car pools, school timings and exams.
  • For the child, homeschooling provides emotional freedom. The child does not need to deliver to the evil effects of peer pressure, competition and bullies. They can study at peace.
  • Closer family relationships are made possible with homeschooling. The child will enjoy spending time at home with the family, than outside. Adolescent fears for the parents are also reduced considerably.
  • A certain degree of stability can be guaranteed when the child is homeschooling. Be it illness, emergencies or any requirements. There is a guarantee that disturbance will be the least.
  • The kid will not be fatigued out at the end of the day and will have a more rested out lifestyle. Pressure and stress will also be quite less.
  • Personal attention while homeschooling allows a kid to do in lesser time what children in school take longer to do. As such, homeschooling makes the children relatively more efficient at studies.
The cons in homeschooling are not the tough to figure either. Let's see the reasons why homeschooling is bad.
  • Homeschooling can take up a lot of time of the parent. Leading to an acute time restraint for the parents. Picture a kitchen table filled with books and no food cooked.
  • Homeschooling requires one parent to be at home full-time. This could lead to a financial restraint on the family. The income would reduce, while the expenditure would, almost, remain the same.
  • Team sports for the kid can be forgotten if you opt for homeschooling. Being that in the home school there is, but one student, teams would be hard to make and competitions would be kind of one sided, don't you think.
  • You have to accept that homeschooling is an oddity. As such, in a neighborhood where most children go to a public school, one home scholar may find it hard to make friends and might find it very easy getting teased.
Public Schooling Pros and Cons
Public schools, even though a regularity have their set of pros and cons. Let's first see the pros.
  • Transportation is provided. As such, worrying about car pool or pick up and drop is not required.
  • Public schools provide the kids with an opportunity to partake is great activities like theater and bands. All round development is easier in public schools.
  • There are several after-school programs that are available at public schools. The children can opt for those and choose what they wish to do.
  • There is a certain level of proficiency in the educators at public schools. Most states require the teachers to be trained and certified. As such, the educators have to live up to a standard.
  • Public schools are funded. As such children studying in public schools have more opportunities and resources available to them.
  • A child studying in a public school is exposed to the different types of people in the world. As such, it can be said that public school prepares an individual who can face the world with confidence.
The cons in public schools can be seen as well. Let's see the education problems and solutions there.
  • Peer pressure and bullying is a regular affair at public school. Non conformism and innovative thinking is not easily acceptable.
  • There is no individual attention given to the students. As such, certain gifted but quiet students tend to get lost in the crowd.
  • There are too many varieties of students studying at public schools. As such the parents do have much control over the kids their children get along with.
  • Children tend to get rude in the attempt of "taking care of themselves". There is more exposure to social evils. These factors often get a little difficult for parents to handle or avoid.
Read more about education problems in public schools. Both sides of both the coins are seen. Now, let's take the next step.

Homeschooling vs. Public School - Which is Better?
I am not even going to try getting into any of the homeschooling vs. public school statistics here. My arguments in this case are neutral and based on practicalities of life. Homeschooling versus public schooling is an argument that has gone on for so long, simply because there is no correct answer there. For certain families and certain children homeschooling can be the best option. While for some factors, public schools can be the better choice. Eitherways, the ultimate goal of deciding between homeschooling or public school, should be optimum learning for the child. If that it maintained, then the mode of schooling in immaterial.

That is how Jenny Almeida and Jenny Kramer are good friends, in spite of coming from different types of schooling. They were both comfortable with where and what they are. That is the sign that the career education foundation is being prepared well. Homeschooling vs. public schooling should be given a thought to before considering enrolling the child in school. Keep in mind your wants for the child as well as the requirements of the child, on the basis of society and propriety. This is where I sign off! Choose well!

By Rashida Khilawala
Published: 11/4/2009
 
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