Well, I noticed that there was a bit of a debate going on in the other thread - and it was making it go a bit off topic - but I realise that it's something that people feel quite passionate about, so I don't see why there can't be a seperate thread to hold the debate. I'm going to outline the main pros and cons of home-schooling, and then you guys can talk about your personal experiences, and how you feel about the matter :)

What is Home-Schooling?

- Home-schooling is different to going to a public, private or boarding school. Students learn the same subjects in the curriculum as others although they can choose not to. This method of schooling is considered by some as being especially supportive of students who have special educational needs, those who are victims of bullying and even those who are moving from place to place for personal or professional reasons.

Reasons for choosing home-schooling

• A better education for you child (arguable, but this is what the website said)
• Religious reasons
• Disability and illness
• Special needs
• Child has been bullied
• Poor educational environments in the local area

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Of course, that's a really basic outline of what it means to be homeschooled, and the potential benefits of it. Personally, I don't think that it's a good idea to take a child away from interacting with others in a learning/working environment, unless it's neccessary (ie. a disability), although I don't see anything wrong with hiring a tutor for additional learning while outside of school. 

What are your thoughts? :)

those kids will have no friends or learn how to make friends. i feel sorry for them.

My thoughts are that these are the only legitimate reasons:
# Disability and illness
# Special needs
# Child has been bullied
# Poor educational environments in the local area

Religion is bullshit reason to keep someone out of school. What, don't want them to learn the earth is round? (I kid I kid, but seriously tho)

Homeschooling serves a function in society, and I am all for homeschooling, unless it impedes the progress of others. Both school and home-school should be equal, and in that statement, it needs regulation.

I was homeschooled my entire life. I have quite a few friends. My wife, who was public schooled, was more socially inept than I was, and was (and still kinda is) afraid to stand up and give presentations. Comparatively, I do it all the time with no problems, and never have.

Of those I graduated with, most of them are very social. One of my classmates entertains thousands of people as a piano player on a cruise ship - and was rated the #1 musician among cruise lines because of his social interaction with the patrons. So that argument is really a myth. Can it happen? Sure, but just as often as it does in public school.

FWIW, I really enjoyed my ~10 years in home schooling. I had a lot more freedom to do what I wanted, because I spent a lot less time in class than my peers (about 3.5hrs to 8hrs between all that is involved with public schooling). The cost to home school is a fraction of public school. Most of the costs are in the fact that the government screws over homeschoolers by not providing anything for them, while $10,000 is spent per student via public school.

If you have any legitimate questions about homeschooling, I'd be glad to answer them.

I never understood this argument. Are certain kids in school socially inept? Yes, of course they are. Plus children who are home schooled often get together through extra curriculars, sports and meet ups with other home schooled kids. Home schooled and public schooled are not going to determine how well someones social interactions go. The only disadvantage to home schooling I see is that its seen as a weird thing to do by society. Other than that I don't see a problem with it ecspecially if the schools around you are poor. 

I'll be homeschooling my three children if/when I relocate to UAE.

Found some really good online companies that provide excellent curriculum as well as online based testing, exercises, and information.

I've known many people home-schooled and all the crap about lack of social capabilities is flat out wrong.

They still play with neighbors, family, etc, and will go to a university at some point. Difference is their capability to learn at their pace in their comfort, learn how to self manage, learn more with one on one interaction with teacher (parent), and finally they never worry about various potentially negative interactions at typical schools.

?

Homeschool co-ops. I was schooled at my home, but there were approximately 100 other kids in my county that also homeschooled. We would pool our talent and resources together so kids could have extra classes that couldn't be provided by parents. So I actually graduated with about 8 others in the co-op.

Welllllllll...not to be nit-picky but...

yaknow if these independent co-op homeschools is what people actually did, or this is what homeschooling actually was, I'd be totally for it.

I actually like the idea of home schooling.  Yes there is cons but it does help the ones who need it.  My girlfriend is being home schooled right now.  She has been for the last month, she is a senior in high school and just started doing it.  She misses her friends but still hangs out with them.  She is a very smart girl, in fact she will be going to Julliard this August.  

I know this is off topic, but she has been Diagnosed with Cancer so prayers would be great if you are religious.  If you're not, best of luck or wishes still would be.  I'm so scared of losing her