I’ve been homeschooled for about five years. When I tell people so, responses vary from “Oh, cool, do you get to do schoolwork in your pajamas?” to “How do you socialize, then?” Today, I’m here to answer your questions– and shut down those borderline annoying stereotypes homeschoolers face.
Myth #1: We’re uneducated
The Truth: While some parents go the route of “unschooling”, which is letting their kids choose what and how they want to learn, it’s not like we’re completely deprived of an education.
We do the same thing public school students do; we’re just doing it at home.
Although I’m not an “unschooler”, I do mostly do studying and learning by myself. I take online classes, and I can go at my own pace. When it comes time to graduate, I can take a form of the GED test to earn my diploma.
Myth #2: We’re antisocial
The Truth: This is one of the most ridiculous homeschooling stereotypes around. Plenty of groups for homeschooled kids to meet exist, and it’s not like we don’t ever leave the house. I’m a part of many groups to hang out with kids my age, and I have friends to hang out with. My personal opinion is that it’s easier for me to get schoolwork done alone than it is sitting in a classroom with 20+ other kids.
Myth #3: We’re all religious
The Truth: This isn’t necessarily a harmful stereotype; it’s just something I’d like to clear up. Yes, there are families like the Duggars who’ve contributed to this stereotype. And yes, I’m sure many other religious families homeschool their kids. But I’m not that religious, personally.
Myth #4: We get to lounge around all day in our pajamas doing whatever we want
The Truth: I get asked this a lot. And honestly, it gets a bit annoying after a while. Yes, I’m doing everything at home, but that doesn’t mean everything is fun and games. I still have an education, and I take it seriously. This means getting up in the morning (around 8:30 a.m.), getting dressed, and getting to work.
Myth #5: Parents hurt their kids by homeschooling them
The Truth: While I did get pulled out of school, it wasn’t a bad thing. If I truly hated it, I wouldn’t be choosing to stay homeschooled for these past five years. I enjoy everything about it, from going at my own pace, to the classes I’ve signed up for. I look forward to the remainder of my education.
Final thoughts: While I may get irritated at these stereotypes, I try not to get annoyed at the person asking me questions. They’re only asking things from what they’ve heard, so it’s not their fault. Instead, I explain as best as I can what I do. This article, hopefully, will be an easier way to do so.
