Homeschooling is not quite as attractive as when you compare it to attending a regular school in the long run. There are skills that can only be learnt in a public environment whilst allowing the child to become comfortable dealing with other life realities. Home schooling does not readily possess the requirements for children to be productive members of society. As such the disadvantages of homeschooling far outweigh the benefits that might be gained in the short-run.
First of all, to consider homeschooling, one of the parents must be able to devote a large part of their day in not only tutoring the child, but to also research on the necessary materials for the child’s age. Incidentally, even the cost of homeschooling your child is greater compared to sending your child to a school. While there are parents who claim that children who learn at home are more behaved because of the standards set by their parents and tutors, the social cost of it is more than what might be compared to children who go to school and interact with other children.
The disadvantage of homeschooling, in a very large part, is the social cost. Studies have shown that a child who attends regular school, whether it is a private or public one, develops social skills that will allow them to function in society. They are also largely more productive members of society due to the early interaction with other people. Indeed, many homeschooled children often express a desire to attend a regular school because they feel like they are missing out on a lot of things children their age regularly do.
Disadvantages of homeschooling also include the limited knowledge that the child might receive. A classroom environment often invites the knowledge and opinions of other schoolmates, thereby garnering a value-added perspective. While a homeschooled child may learn the principles and basics of matters on literature, history, social studies, they are not enriched with differing perspectives. To this, it is a considerable disadvantage for a child not to experience how other people think.
Children in a classroom setting are allowed to ask questions and are expected to ask their questions, also informing other children that they are not singular in having similar thoughts. There is a sense of camaraderie a classroom setting that benefits children knowing that whilst they are different from each other, learning each other’s backgrounds, they are all pursuing how to get along with one another.
