Homeschooling and Religion Part 3

Because of all the attention paid by the media to religious homeschoolers, it is frequently assumed that all homeschoolers homeschool for religious reasons. Unfortunately, this has taken on a nasty stereotype in the public eye. Many homeschoolers say, "I'm not one of those homeschooler" only to realize they have just insulted one of their closest friends. As with every group of people, homeschooling has its bad apples. The media likes to focus on the religious homeschoolers who are bad. People tend to view anyone different as a freak. What?!!! They have more than 2 1/2 children? They must be homeschoolers. What?!!! They have long hair and wear skirts? Those freaky homeschoolers. Of course, as most people would realize if they thought about it, the issues are separate, if parallel. The family isn't large because it homeschools, and likely, doesn't homeschool because it is large. The family doesn't homeschool because they wear skirts (schools do still allow girls to wear skirts, right?), nor do they wear skirts because they homeschool. Not all homeschool families are large and not all families whose religious beliefs dictate the wearing of skirts homeschool. But, as with most other things in life, homeschoolers are tarred by the same brush in the public eye. And, since the media likes to focus on religious homeschoolers, many people believe that all homeschoolers are religious. While I don't mind being thought religious, it can be a bit disconcerting when people repeatedly recommend that you join the only homeschooling group in your county when that group is a Christian group. It is especially disconcerting to the other person when they find out you're not a Christian. If they didn't make that assumption in the first place, they wouldn't have been embarrassed. Of course, in most cases, if we weren't talking about homeschooling, the subject wouldn't have even come up. I, personally, find it a bit amusing. Especially since they seem to think that you must be a Christian! I mean, here you are at the Republican Women's luncheon. You seem very nice. How could you not be a Christian? You mean there are Republicans that aren't Christian. You don't say. Okay, fine, I got off on a tangent. I just needed to share that. At any rate, these are the facts: When identified as a homeschooler, most people assume the following: you are a Christian, you have or are planning to have a large family, you are a Republican, you don't believe in gay marriage, etc. This aspect, I believe, is not so much a product of Christianity in homeschooling as much as it is a product of media attention to Christian homeschoolers.

Now, thinking about this, I realize that this might sound a bit whiny. In fact, I have no problem with religion in homeschooling. I have no problem with people homeschooling for religious reason. I have no problem with people using religion as the basis for all their homeschooling needs (it's amazing what you can learn from the Bible-spelling, vocabulary, grammar, handwriting, writing...). I have no problem with there being curricula for Christian homeschoolers. In fact, I think it is a good thing. Not only does it show good sense by the creators, but man of them happen to be homeschoolers who saw a need. Slowly, but surely, secular curricula is being created. Eventually, we will have plenty. Slowly, but surely, secular homeschool groups are springing up around the country. Eventually, we will have enough to meet everyone's needs. This post was not to whine about what a horrible lot it is to not be a Christian. If I thought that, I would jump on board the train. This post was to illustrate what a big roll religion plays in homeschooling, whether you are religious or not.