Homeschooling Selects Specialization Over Well-roundedness

Regardless of the fact that studies suggest homeschool students who go on to college will outperform their peers and that homeschooling has gained enough mainstream attention that some colleges actively recruit homeschool students, those of us who homeschool still receive criticisms that we are somehow limiting our kids’ opportunities.

In the past, those opposed to homeschooling spouted that homeschoolers lacked socialization, but research reveals the opposite–that they are significantly more likely to participate in community service initiatives, join civic, religious or business organizations and be politically involved.

Now, the naysayers’ most frequent misconception is that homeschooling parents cannot possibly know every area of study enough to offer a stellar, well-rounded education for their children.

They are 100% right.

Fortunately, many homeschooling families are not as concerned with offering their children a well-rounded education as they are with walking alongside them as they find their place in the world–and by that, I mean helping them recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and honing that knowledge into a future career path.

Isn’t that why we educate our children?

Be honest–it isn’t purely for the love of knowledge, right? I imagine if we are all brutally honest we will admit that we want the best education for our children so they will eventually leave our home, engaged in a stimulating career that both challenges them and pays their bills.

If that is the case, and eventually we want our kids to make enough money to support themselves, then “specializing” is more important than well-roundedness.

Think about it. Why is there such a heavy push for well-roundedness in the early education through high school years when the first thing high school graduates must do (before even applying for college) is choose a major (area of specialty)?

It hardly makes sense to force students into cookie cutter paths for 12 years, and then when they graduate, tell them to stop thinking like everyone else; now they must define what they want from their lives/careers.

As a homeschooling parent, my own lack of well-roundedness will not negatively affect my kids’ futures. How can it when I have the freedom to fine-tune their education for their individual needs, strengths, and areas of interests?

Also, if they need to develop a skill-set their father and I do not have, there are a number of resources available. They can find and work with mentors, which could be family, friends, or even someone they do not yet know, but can approach because of that person’s knowledge and experience in their field of interest. There are also more straightforward options available, like dual-credit courses at the local college and university.

A parent’s lack of educational omniscience will, in reality, never get in the way of their children’s future; only a lack of motivation can do that. For this reason, the argument regarding well-roundedness is hardly an argument at all, and why I feel strongly that most parents or guardians can successfully homeschool.

Well-roundedness is unfounded because the logical result is a person who knows a little bit of everything, which means they don’t know a lot about anything. Personally, I do not want a well-rounded brain surgeon, and I could care less if my mechanic knows the major themes of Shakespeare’s MacBeth. And what do you bet, if asked, the parents of brain surgeons and mechanics saw the early interest or propensity that lead up to their child’s current career? Both are valid careers, but neither require a well-rounded education; what they require is focus, commitment, and dedication to their specialty.

For those who feel that homeschooling compromises a child’s opportunities, think again. Parents and guardians are in a prime position for leading their students towards a profitable career because they KNOW the children in their care the best, have their best interest at heart, and this is true whether they are doctors and lawyers or truck-drivers.

Photo Source: ZANYBAH