The merits and demerits of homeschooling

Among educators, child psychologists, and sociologists, the question of home schooling versus public schooling is one of the most controversial subjects of the last few decades. The problem is, however, that there is research supporting one?and only one?side of this argument. The term ?public school? is somewhat misleading, as it is, in fact, possible for most primary and secondary schools?including home schools?to qualify for its literal definition. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica Online's Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a public school is ?a free tax-supported school controlled by a local governmental authority?. Similarly, they define ?home school? as ?to teach school subjects to one's children at home?. In practice, ?home school? is also used as a noun, to designate the organizations under which many parents home school their children.

[...] Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Psycology, socialization is defined as the ?process whereby people acquire the rules of behavior and systems of beliefs and attitudes that equip a person to function effectively as a member of a particular society? (quoted in ?Revisiting the Common Myths About Homeschooling?). Second, this argument assumes that public schools are the only place in which children may learn social skills. This argument fails to take into account other social groups, such as clubs or scout groups (boy or girl), which provide similar or identical socialization opportunities. [...]

[...] The last, and most commonly believed, argument about home schooling is that only religious fanatics are proponents of it. However, a Florida Education Department poll revealed that the number one reason for home schooling was in fact dissatisfaction with public schools, which may come from a variety of sources. Moreover, demographics of home school participants are varied over religious, political, income, racial, and education groups. The only apparent thing even remotely resembling support for the ?unilateral group? argument is that the percentage of racial minorities (blacks and Hispanics) is slightly smaller than in public schools. [...]