Homeschool Vs Public School Essay

In the United States, children are required to go to school and get an education from around the ages six to sixteen. Education is a very important aspect of everyone’s life and the quality of the education someone receives can make or break their future. It can have an impact how well they’ll do in college or even in future jobs. Ultimately, parents decide what type of education their child will receive. Children can either go to public school, or be homeschooled by their parents. The decision of whether or not to homeschool a child can be attributed to any number of factors, usually involving issues parents have with the public school system. Public schooling and homeschooling each have their own benefits, as well as some drawbacks. To

Parents of homeschooled kids typically spend about $600 a year, and unfortunately, not everyone is able to do that (Ray). Public schools often provide materials that parents would otherwise have to buy, like textbooks and calculators. Textbooks can cost hundreds of dollars, and not all families can afford these prices. Public schools can also provide childcare for working parents, as well as free breakfast and lunch for families that are within the poverty threshold. It makes sense that 45% of homeschooling families live at or above 200% of the poverty level, while only 19% live below it (“Homeschool Demographics” 2014). Financially, homeschooling just isn’t an option for everyone, and the help that public schools offer to disadvantaged students can make it more convenient. Also, many parents still have to work during the day, and childcare can be very costly and thus not a realistic option for many working class people. On average, 89% of homeschooled children live in a household with two parents, and for 54% of those, only one parent is in the work force. In contrast, 50% of the families of publicly educated children have both parents working (“Homeschool Demographics”). Homeschooling is not very convenient for disadvantaged families with either only one parent or both parents in the labor force. Public school can be a more convenient and inexpensive

In public schools, it can be easier to make friends, since you’re surrounded by students your age every day. However, it’s also easier to face problems like bullying and racism. In 2015, one out of every four students were bullied at some point throughout the school year (“Bullying Statistics”). Homeschooled children don’t face the same risk of being bullied, since they are typically taught by their parents in a safe environment. Moreover, homeschooled children are able to develop a more defined sense of self and independence. This stems from the individualized experience that is given to them. Public schools often squander the individuality of children, whether intentionally or not. Things like having to comply with dress codes and having to ask to use the restroom can prevent a child from truly owning their own identity. At home, children can be themselves and many homeschooling parents encourage individuality, since they’re trying to break from the traditional and limiting teaching methods. It’s very important for a child to have a sense of self and be able to properly express themselves and public schools can often prevent this. Similarly, many children in the public education system don’t even like going to school. They can come to dread it for various reasons, whether it’s trouble with the material or other kids or even the