Top 8 Reasons Parents Opt to Homeschool Their Children

“In 18 states that shared data through the current school year, the number of homeschooling students increased by 63% in the 2020-2021 school year, then fell by only 17% in the 2021-2022 school year”(PBSNews).

1. Make A Change From A Negative School Environment

It is no secret that traditional schooling has its Pros and cons. One of the main reasons parents are switching to homeschooling is to move away from a negative environment that can be fostered in public and private schools. One of the largest factors of a negative school environment is bullying. In part, “bullying is difficult for parents to see because unlike a report card or a letter from a teacher, it is difficult to know if your child is being bullied at school or online by classmates”(Calvert). Often, children who are experiencing bullying may be averse to sharing what is happening to them. Thus, when switching to homeschooling, parents have a more “front seat” view of these incidents, regardless of if they are happening or not. In these circumstances, parents can manage what their children are doing, seeing, and who they’re talking to.

2. Get A More Individualized Education

With the US government taking a “hands-off” approach to the educational systems, individual districts are left to oversee their instruction and determine their curriculum. However, parents may not agree with some of the material being taught. In addition to this, parents may want various subjects being taught or more of a focus on specific skills: “For many homeschooling parents, there is a strong belief that the public school curriculum is not providing the right knowledge and skills for children”(Calvert). Homeschooling allows parents to ensure that their children are learning everything they want them to attain. An example of this could be an increased focus on arts or other subjects that are not given as much attention in traditional schooling.

3. Improve Social Interactions

All children socialize differently and thrive in different social situations. While traditional schooling allows for exposure to other children with diverse backgrounds and attitudes, some parents may want “more tailored social interactions that support their values”(Calvert). Homeschooling allows students to grow and learn in a social environment that works best for them. For example, children that are homeschooled may have extended periods of time they get to play outdoors, rather than sitting in a classroom for a few hours of the day.

4. Support A Learning Disabled Child

Children that have a learning disability or a physical disability may have a more difficult journey in traditional schooling, whether that be in a public or private school. At times, the parents of these children may desire for their child to have greater availability to one-on-one care, as well as increased resources. Homeschooling may be something that parents are looking for if they want to ensure their child is getting the exact care and education that they want them to have. However, this does not take away from other public services, such as “services for speech therapy, dyslexia, physical handicaps, remedial classes, art, [and] music” that still provide the child with outside experiences and exposure (Calvert).

5. Educate Children During A Family Relocation To Another State Or Country

While relocation can be a difficult transition for anyone, especially children, one of the main stressors is which new school to attend. Homeschooling may be a switch that parents are looking to make when they foresee relocation. This switch can ensure the child is getting the same level of education, as well as the same consistency of learning during and after the relocation process. Looking at children who come from military families, parents may find it would be easier for their children to not have to worry about forming new relationships at school when they are moving from city to city.

6. Adjust to a Child’s Busy Schedule

A child’s schedule can be very busy and restrictive if they participate in many extracurricular activities. For example, many students play competitive sports, where travel is involved. An example of a more strenuous schedule is that of children who audition for TV shows, commercials, and movies. More often than not, children are expected to be at auditions and events in the middle of the day, during the week, and even commit unlimited hours to their work. It is clear that with a demanding schedule, such as sports players and actors, the flexible schedule of homeschooling would be helpful for the students and the parents.

7. Cater to a Child’s Health

Many children have health issues, which are typically a concern for parents. In the United States, “1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder”(CDC). Looking at these details, it is clear the early stages of life and education are extremely vital. Parents may wish to homeschool their children in order to have more authority over their child’s health. Homeschooling can offer subjects and even a schedule that best suits a child’s needs when it comes to health.

8. COVID-19 Concerns

Since the emergence of COVID-19, parents have been back and forth on how they would like education to be handled. Some families wanted fewer restrictions in schools and some wished for more. However, both of these desires lead to the consideration of homeschooling. Think Impact reports that “before the COVID-19 Pandemic, 28% fewer parents preferred homeschooling”, which led to “43% more parents became inclined towards homeschooling following the onset of the pandemic”(ThinkImpact). The option of homeschooling allows for parents to not depend on the schools to manage the covid-19 pandemic for their children, but rather manage it themselves.

By Hannah Mangold

Sources
https://www.thinkimpact.com/homeschooling-statistics/
https://www.calverteducation.com/should-i-homeschool/top-5-reasons-parents-homeschool-kids#:~:text=Get%20A%20Higher%20Quality%20Education,To%20Another%20State%20Or%20Country
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/as-u-s-schools-reopen-many-families-continue-to-opt-for-homeschooling
https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html#:~:text=1%20in%206%20U.S.%20children,%2C%20behavioral%2C%20or%20developmental%20disorder.

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