Yesterday I discussed a point of view presented to me by a well meaning gentleman who thought homeschooling was too isolating for minority children. He expressed that homeschooling would not prepare a child to deal with other people of his own culture since only 10 percent of homeschoolers are black.
As a homeschooler to children who are bi-racial I do not share the same concerns as this gentleman. Sheltering and isolation are not the reasons I homeschool and frankly I do not think it is the reason most homeschool. While parents desire their children to be “sheltered” from certain aspects of public education or private education, the things a child is being protected from are valid. My child will not worse off for not having been bullied or taught by an incompetent teacher or being taught with a system being the prime concern and not the education. I homeschool to provide an education for my children that is suited to them as individuals and in a fashion that is effective. I homeschool to infuse my children with God’s love and teachings which I know would not happen in a public school. I do not homeschool to prevent my children from socializing with other children. My children’s circle of friends consists mostly with children who go to public or private school. My children are on sports teams which consist of children who are schooled. While they also interact with other homeschoolers, I made it a priority to have them interact with people in general. I want them to love God’s people and not have preconceived notions or feel uncomfortable interacting with anyone. I feel I can socialize them to a greater variety of people and situations better than a confined classroom of thirty children their own age from their own neighborhood.
I also disagree with the notion that a child will experience culture shock when he gets to college based on a homeschool or private school education. While, I understand that being raised in an environment where you are a minority and possibly not fully accepted by the majority can have ill effects, I do not believe this means homeschooling is off the table. Who is better equipped to teach a child his culture than his own parents? Who is to say that a black child will learn about his culture in a public school system?
So now, my dear readers, I turn this over to you. What is your opinion? What are your solutions? Maybe I lack an understanding of what type of exposure is necessary for a minority child to have to interact positively with other children of his race. If so, please enlighten me, I welcome your comments and discussion.