25 Nov 2006 06:41 AM

Dr. Phil Doesn't Get Homeschooling

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

     

I never watch daytime television. I'm just too busy. . .home schooling. So I have to admit that I never watch the Dr. Phil show. But I attempted to tune in yesterday to watch the "Great School Debate" in which Dr. Phil, homeschooling families, and the audience debated the merits of unschooling, homeschooling, and public schooling. Yet again, he concluded with the idea that it's fine to homeschool until 8th grade. . .but then you better put your kids in school because once kids start puberty--they need to socialize. In fact one father pointed to the importance of ". . . .having your first crush on a teacher. . ." among other things, as a rite of passage towards proper socialization. (And they said the uncovers' thinking was backwards).

Sponsors (article continues below)

Radical Guests

I am partially disappointed in the show because the guests that they had were so radical in their views it made it difficult to sympathize with the homeschooling cause. For example, at one point the self described radical unschooling mother was talking about allowing her children lollipops at any time. They also only go to bed when they're tired--no schedules. They let their children set their own boundaries, not only with regards to school, but with regards to other areas of life as well. I imagine that these children only do the chores that they feel like doing. Then they had a woman on who doesn't want to send their kids to school for fear that they may be shot. And yet a final guest who was homeschooled, and hated it.

My issue isn't that I disagree with these people (although I can tell you my kids definitely are not free to munch on lollipops at will) it's that they are not representative of the homeschooling spectrum. I know some people who are unschoolers who still have bed times and don't let their kids eat anything they want. I also know some people for whom safety was among many concerns (rather than just the only one) regarding their children's public education. I even know a couple kids who hated being homeschooled. . .but I know dozens who loved it and who are successful adults.

Same Old Arguments

But my true disappointment in Dr. Phil today is that they are using the same old arguments against homeschooling: socialization and teacher qualifications. Apparently there is mysterious research that "they" did that says that kids who are homeschooled past 8th grade are not socialized well. Apparently, that first crush on your teacher was a pretty significant rite of passage because if you homeschool your children past 8th grade they might miss it and not be able to function well in society. How do we know? The mysterious research. . .lots of it. . .done by 'them'.

Dr. Phil further asserts that he believes teaching is a science. Not everyone should assume that they could impart knowledge to kids. I could go on and on about how kids learn because they are sponges (and not because of their gifted teachers) and research says as much. But I just have one question. If teaching were a science why do you have good teachers and bad teachers? If something is a science, there is a formula to follow. . .something proven that will yield results every time. That is in fact the purpose of the scientific method. So why can't all these certified teachers just follow the formula to produce well-educated children? After all, not all children are well educated and not all teachers are good ones. The answer, in scientific terms is that there are too many variables. In other words, teaching is much more of an art than public school advocates would have you believe.

My Response

Dr. Phil, both in this show and the last one he did regarding homeschooling, refers at least a couple of times to the aforementioned "research" that shows kids are poorly socialized if homeschooled throughout high school.

Show me the research. Show me the names and dates and the University where it was conducted. Show me how it compares with current home schooling research (of which there is a lot) that shows that home schooled kids are not only better socialized but are also better academically prepared and getting into Ivy league schools. Show me how many times it's been reproduced to verify its validity. I haven't seen it.

Secondly, try talking to regular folks or at least a variety rather than a small sample that just make up a very specific section of the homeschooling population. Interview people who homeschool simply because they feel that it was the best opportunity for their own children, or because they feel it's their job to do so. If you want to talk about a kid who hated being homeschooled, show another who loved it and was grateful for the opportunities presented. (Or better yet, talk about the relationship that child had with her parents--a subject that was never even approached.)

I would not be surprised if Dr. Phil caught some slack for his comments. If there is more information to be had. . .you can surely find it here.

Related Articles:

Dr. Phil to Explore Homeschooling

Coloring Outside the Lines

Uneducated Unschoolers on the Loose

Sponsors (article continues below)

Learn more about Valorie Delp

twinzplus3`s avatar

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Send this to a friend

12 comments so far

Michele Cheplic Online! (28779) 25 Nov 2006 07:10 AM

The show was pre-empted here for college football (you would have enjoyed the game more Valorie), but I just by watching the previews for that episode I'm not surprised by the results. The parents seemed radical in the preview... and by your accounts they were in the program as well. I figured as much. You should forward your blog to his show's website and perhaps they will invite you to be a guest--though I doubt that they want anyone to appear on his show that actually can provide as good as argument as you can. Producers are looking for ways and guests that will allow Phile to shine. After all, he is the STAR and it's his show... that's just show business. They would never dare put someone like you on that actually offers a legitimate argument in favor of homeschooling. Out of ALL the millions of families that choose to homeschool that's the best they could find to represent---PUH-LEASE!!!

Heather Long (16954) 25 Nov 2006 09:35 AM

This will sound bad but it's Dr. Phil --- pfffffffft. I can't stand that sanctomonious know it all. I don't homeschool, but I have seen very valid arguments for it -- but having a real debate with real valid points wouldn't be shocking television that lets him come off sage and all knowing and overbearing. But that's just my two cents.

Valorie Delp (43851) 25 Nov 2006 04:03 PM

Thanks girls! I too suspect I am far too normal to be on the show. If however I did send him my blog and I did end up on his show, I'm sure it would just be a clip and not a whole interview. And then I'm sure it would be a clip where the twins are both crying, and Meghan is having a two year old moment and Alex would likely be doing something weird like telling about the powers of transformers. Then the clip would read, "Do these kids seem socialized?"

I also imagine Heather, that not only is it about coming off all knowing and sage but I'm sure he would decline in significant popularity if he actually admitted to having very radical guests or if he showed valid arguments for homeschooling. Then that would prove that there are more than one ways to Rome. . .and then who would buy his psycho -babble books?! Okay--I should stop now.

Nola Redd (6962) 25 Nov 2006 08:43 PM

I should send him a letter re: kids and teacher crushes. "Dear Dr. Phil, Haven't you ever heard of Freud? I fully expect my kids to have crushes on their teachers, even if they never admit it." :D

I didn't see the show, although if we hadn't been on the road I would've Tivoed it (Tivo's not hooked up, drats!). Let us know if they do a rerun so we can all join in with the pointing and laughing. But on the other hand...reality and television? I'm sure you didn't REALLY think the two would mix! ;)

Valorie Delp (43851) 26 Nov 2006 05:09 AM

No not really! I was just hopeful. :-)

bulletz (34) 26 Nov 2006 08:28 PM

He is famous for putting extremists on his show so he can prove his point. I heard the first show when he said homeschooling til 8th grade is fine. I want to know how he can justify saying that when he is saying that socialization is the problem. What about the 8 or 9 years before that? Are our kids going to school totally socially inept? I think not. Crushes on teachers is what is getting a lot of these kids and the teachers in situations like we have seen recently where a student and teacher are found to be having sexual relations. They need to wise up and shut up about things they have no real experience with.

Valorie Delp (43851) 27 Nov 2006 06:29 AM

Is he? I've never watched the show except occassionally to flip through and then I've not watched the whole thing. I just can't get into watching the psycho-babble. In any case you make an excellent point regarding our "formative years".

Andrea Hermitt (4648) 27 Nov 2006 11:29 AM

I had seen a previous homeschooling show of Dr. Phil's. Where homeschooling is concerned, he is quite ignorant. I love love to go on his show as a "normal" homeschooler and prove him wrong!

Valorie Delp (43851) 27 Nov 2006 02:36 PM

Oh Andrea! They don't want you. . .I barely know you but as the others pointed out I'm sure you're not "radical" enough to be invited as a guest!

Teresa McEntire (2984) 28 Nov 2006 01:58 PM

Personally I think there are some children that are home-schooled that would probably benefit from public schools and the other way around as well. If a parent can home-school their child and actually provide all of the subjects that they need and their child is happy at home then homeschooling is great. If not then children are better off in public schools. I agree with you in that some teachers are good and some aren't. Just as some parents are probably good at homeschooling and some aren't.

It sounds like Dr. Phil wants people to think homeschoolers are nuts so he chose guests that portrayed that idea. All talk shows chose guests that will emulate the idea that the host wants to the public to agree with. It doesn't make him right though.

Tristi Pinkston (10289) 11 Dec 2006 11:39 PM

I'm a little late coming in here, but first off, I do have to say that I really like a lot of what Dr. Phil has to say. I agree with him most of the time, but when I don't agree, I really strongly don't agree, and it's a shame that he chose really off the wall homeschoolers to represent the whole.

I was homeschooled my entire life and you know what, I really missed the social life. I missed getting groped in the halls, having oral sex in the bathroom, being sexually harassed by the teacher I had a crush on, getting beat up on the playground -- yeah, I really missed a lot.

LEC23 (216) 12 Dec 2006 03:28 AM

I also apologise for being a little late in coming here, my excuse is that I'm fairly new to blogging and just finding my way around the blogging scene. I use to watch Dr Phil over here in the UK, however, I stopped watching when quite a few of the topic areas he discussed seemed to be rather biased towards his personal point of view and that of brow-beating and aggressively putting down anyone who objected to his point of view. I vehemently object to his slant on homeschooling and homeschoolers and that homeschooled children are unable to socialize properly or adequately. You said that he has (publicly stated through his show) research to prove it. If he has stated that research and that he is talking from an academic viewpoint (or making it appear that he is) then he must publicly state (on his show) the full details and sources of this research. If he is unwilling or even unable to do this, as most acclaimed academics will tell you, his complete argument has no validity or credibility.

I chose to homeschool my son up to the age of 16 years old. See my other comments on this site on my son's socialization and social development whilst I was homeschooling him.

Discuss this article

You must be logged in to tag, rate, or comment on this item.

Not registered? Register now, it's free and only takes a minute.

Add a Comment