In my last blog, I spent time answering a reader’s question about whether or not home schooling was sexist. There is a small movement among the home school population that seeks to encourage women to embrace their identities as future mothers and housewives. It concerned my reader because she/he translated that to mean that girls were not being taught other relevant subjects. I spent part 1 of these blogs talking about homeschoolers’ rights and whether or not we can tell people what to teach and believe and now I will address whether or not home schooled girls are receiving an equal education. Put simply, these are my thoughts on whether or not this is a serious problem within the home schooling community.
State Laws & Passing the Torch
Not all state laws are as clear, but many state laws mandate that children have certain subjects that include, math, science, English, and history. So in theory, all children have to receive an equivalent education at least to some degree. Furthermore, as a mother of four girls, I would be thrilled to see any and all of them home school their own children. For them to do that, they have to be well educated do they not? So put simply, I think it is a false assumption to believe that girls are not being educated as well as boys, regardless of a family’s religious beliefs.
Child Led Learning–My Own Experiences
Maybe we’re just sexist and I don’t realize it. But I frankly don’t find that my children are into the same things. I see a definite pattern in the girls vs. our one boy. All of my girls are into ‘girly’ things. My oldest takes ballet and my son. . .well, he wants to run around a track. My 4yo plays dollies and when the game includes her brother, there is invariably a made up ‘robotic’ doll. We didn’t force these ideas on them; rather I think it’s in their nature to gravitate towards them. They think differently, problem solve differently, and approach even their subjects differently. I think I would be remiss to insist otherwise.
In fact, I am happy to embrace those differences. It’s what makes them who they are. But let’s be clear about one thing. Differences in educational activities does not make for a superior or inferior education.
So yes, I’m sure there are families who insist that their daughters learn to sew and families who insist that their sons learn to do archery. So be it. Gender biased? Perhaps. But let’s not equate that small piece of information with an inferior education.
Other Articles:
Those Blasted Grass Roots Movements
Dr. Phil Doesn’t Get Homeschooling