Sometimes a homeschooler cannot win an argument

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

26 Mar 2007 07:18 AM

Many online discussions about homeschoolers online generally consists of numerous homeschoolers, or homeschooling proponents arguing against one of a small number of anti homeschoolers. These arguments can become passionate, heated, and even ugly.

Recently, I found myself baited into such an online conversation. Why I thought a public school teacher wanted to argue homeschooling on the merits was beyond me. I guess we all have days when we give too much emphasis to unhealthy discussions. I will try harder to not take the bait next time. People will take examples of such conversations and use them as an excuse to call us sensitive and defensive.

Those who oppose homeschoolers often come to homeschool forums to spew toxicity into conversations that was not previously pro or con homeschooling. For example, someone will come to the forum for support and write "here is my situation, should I homeschool". She gets yes's, maybe's, and even a couple of no's which are fine, but to have someone jump on a forum and start listing a bunch of untrue stereotypes about homeschoolers in this instance is in bad form.

Homeschoolers, what you need to realize in this instance is there is no way you are going to win this argument. Nine times out of 10, you are dealing with someone whose dislike of even hate of homeschooling is deep seeded. No amount of cajoling, convincing, statistics, or insulting, is going to make that person change their mind. You could be dealing with someone who is employed in schools, and so homeschooling is viewed as a threat to their livelihood. You may be dealing with someone who sees homeschooling as a personal insult for any number of reasons. You may even be dealing with someone who had horrible or friends with horrible parents and so does not trust the motives of homeschoolers. Trust me; this is not a fight you are going to win. You should state your points is you must, but I urge you to not put too much energy into the argument as the time would be better spent teaching your children.

*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.

*Want to know more about homeschooling? Start here!

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Julie Gentry (5915) 26 Mar 2007 12:32 PM

I hear you :-). My grandpa used to say that arguing with a pig only serves to make the farmer angry. (Not that people with different views are pigs *s*, but that when there's no actual communication, it's pointless.)