Why We Homeschool

I found a very inspiring Op-Ed written by Michael Farris, chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association, in the Washington Times from November 4, 1997. To me, it is common sense. Of course, one can achieve the goals given within the piece with their children in a traditional school setting. We believe that it is a lot easier to do through homeschooling. If you'd like to understand why we homeschool, please read this article.

Here are a few excerpts:
--At one time or another, every home-schooler feels the strain of swimming against the tide of society. It is sometimes lonely to be pursuing not only a different educational method, but a different set of goals for our families and, yes, a different lifestyle.

--We want our children to be content with ordinary means. We want our children to fear God and to show equal respect to every person regardless of race or class. We want our homes to be filled with “probity, piety, and patriotism.”

--We want our children to know what is going on in the world and to take a part eagerly in the movement to bring America back to a lifestyle that can more honestly be called civilization. The barbarism and pagan shamelessness that dominates our airwaves and streets calls into serious question our right to call ourselves a civilized nation.

--We want our children to have a sense of destiny and to value high achievement. The modern gurus of self-esteem have addicted our children to the acceptance of mediocrity in the guise of accepting themselves.

--Sometimes home-schoolers are classified as “extremists” because we aspire to these values and this lifestyle. Let them call us names. We are pursuing goals that produce greatness and methods that turn boys into men and girls into ladies.