Unfair Advantage?

I was at a barbeque at a friends house when one of the men (whose child was throwing a fit) made the remark, "this kid must be unschooled, that's a new name for homeschooling".  I asked him if he was looking for trouble. He shared with me what he heard about unschooling and kids teaching themselves and that's what homeschooling was...I then explained to him about homeschooling and the different methods.  

I don't usually speak up at times like this, I usually just let these know-it-alls speak their minds.  But not this time, I jumped right in.  I guess I'm getting tired of all the bad publicity we are getting by people who really don't know or understand homeschooling.  Now, we're getting a bad rap because homeschoolers are winning contests and getting accepted into major colleges.

A few months ago, I read an article by a sports reporter saying that homeschooled kids shouldn't be playing high school athletics.  I was very offended by this person, but wrote it off as his ignorance and tried to forget about it.  

When these spelling bee and geography bee victories happened so close to each other, I had a feeling I would be hearing about unfairness again.  It is an outrage. They don't want us to compete in sports or academic contests; yet, they're very concerned about socialization and what goes on in our homes all day.  I think they should be looking into what goes on in the schools all day; after all, homeschooling is producing educated, well-adjusted young men and women.

I think it is really funny that people would be crying unfair, when they really should be saying, "Hmmm, homeschooling does work."  I also wonder what makes people think that homeschoolers aren't carrying "a full school schedule and varied academic course load".  Surely, to be accepted at colleges such as Stanford, one has to have a well rounded education.

I have a few observations that the opposition to homeschooling seems to be missing:

• The fact that our kids are excelling in contests and being accepted at colleges is a testimony to the success of homeschooling.   
• Homeschoolers being accepted to these colleges is proof that homeschoolers are carrying a full load and studying all areas.  
• We've invested many years in our kids and their education, now we are reaping the benefits.  That's not a crime and it's not unfair, the sacrifices have been plentiful.

Today, I was asked to link to an article, but found that it was such good reading, I wanted to feature it to make sure it gets the attention it deserves.  Read the article at:

Home schoolers are criticized for "unfair advantages"
Home schoolers -- big winners in national spelling and geography bees -- are criticized for "unfair advantages."
What ever happened to freedom of choice?

Do you have comments or thoughts about these articles?  Express them in the homeschooling forum.

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