The idea of homeschooling to some children is just absolutely out of the picture: sitting at home 24/7 with their parents, not socializing with kids their own age in the classroom, and no school extracurricular activities. But, on the other hand, traditional schooling is not their favorite idea either due to the many hours a day sitting in uncomfortable desks, being around so many others who may not be so easy to get along with or even endure years of bullying in person. While both of these types of schooling styles have their negatives, they also have positives that many times people overlook. So what really are the disadvantages and advantages of both? And, more importantly, which one seems to be the “better” option? 

In many households, there is no debate over this topic. The children will attend traditional schooling just like every other kid in their neighborhood because it seems to work for the most part. When asked why they sent their kids to public school, many parents will respond with something in regards to the “social norm” or that “it’s just part of the experience of life.” One of the major disadvantages to traditional schooling for kids is that, in many classroom settings, the focus of a student’s education is geared towards getting all the information down on paper rather than spending time on understanding new ideas and topics. The highlighted article goes over many of the pros and cons that come with sending your child to public, traditional school and is very helpful in analyzing some of the main topics regarding schooling for children. Much of future learning is much more based around comprehension and deeper ideas. This article goes over this area regarding traditional schooling, in the sense that it brings many topics to light that parents do not usually consider when sending their child to traditional school. Some teaching styles do not fit with the learning style of a student which can harm their overall success in a course, even though that particular student may be considered smart. 

Along with this, more harm than good can come from being around peers of the same age especially in today’s society, when everyone has to fit in to be considered normal. In extreme cases of not fitting in, bullying can occur both physically and verbally from classmates. According to a survey completed in 2019, about 41% of students who reported being bullied in school believed it would happen again and throughout each grade, no matter what they did to prevent it. Some of the main reasons bullying can occur is because of a student’s physical appearance, sexual orientation, political and religious beliefs, ethnicity and even disabilities. This article highlights some of the main issues that can arise from attending a traditional setting of schooling and brings up some helpful points that parents should consider which some parents may need in order to decide which is the best type of schooling for their child. This article provides essential information that all parents should look into for the safety and wellbeing of their child.

While the disadvantages of traditional school seem daunting, the advantages can also outweigh some of the negatives in the minds of some parents. In the traditional classroom settings, students are taught discipline and are given the accessibility to resources and materials that parents may not be able to get a hold of as a parent-teacher. The benefits of this are emphasized in an article that covers the good things that come along with choosing traditional schooling for children. Children are given more resources and accessibility to materials which helps the child thrive in a public school setting, and ultimately gives them a better education. Similarly, the exposure to peers and new or opposing ideas can positively affect interpersonal relationships with others, another great skill in life. Another article also brings up the important idea that working with others is significantly easier to do when enrolled in traditional schooling and group work teaches students how to work with constructive criticism, plan and manage time, and develop stronger communication skills.

There are many disadvantages and advantages to take into account when thinking about traditional schooling, but the same thought processes are required when looking into homeschooling. Homeschooling generally has a negative connotation when it is brought up due to the isolated environment a child is put in. Being homeschooled removes students from the socialization circle that other kids who attend traditional school are a part of. A helpful source that reveals many disadvantages to homeschooling explains that forming bonds with their peers is especially important to young students because it plays an important role in their developmental health and social skills. Therefore, it is explained that the lack of peer interaction can take a negative toll on interpersonal communication which, again, is something that many parents overlook. The author concludes that homeschooling not only isolates those children, but it also does not prepare them with the necessary skills of group work or peer interaction required for future education and work. 

On top of that, homeschooling also puts a strain on the parent who has posed as the teacher, their child as the student, and can possibly affect the rest of the family as well. The parent-student strain is explained through an article talking about how working parents need to find time and create a schedule that works best for their child which proves to be a difficult task for some families, even those who choose traditional school. The concept of homeschooling is a full-time commitment and a student can lose a lot of education and opportunities if a parent is not qualified for the job. The author explains that the way people act in a student-teacher relationship is very different from a child-parent relationship, and taking on the role of a teacher and a parent can be a very confusing task and ultimately causes a tense relationship at home among the family. This article is a very good aid in helping parents and guardians look over the cons to homeschooling. Another aspect to think about in a homeschooled environment is the financial obligations that the parents/parents must deal with in regards to materials and resources. In reality, it is reiterated that it increases the cost of their education which is a big factor for some families and is a great point of this article that some parents may not take into consideration.

Nonetheless, homeschooling presents many advantages to a child that traditional school cannot fulfill. Many parents worry about the ideas and curriculum that public schools teach to the students, and homeschooling can be more flexible, giving more power to the parents in what is exposed to their child. Students who are homeschooled are privileged with the ability to have a say in what they’re learning, while the parents can also monitor the educational freedom that comes with learning from home. The parent can also adjust their teaching method in order to fit the needs of their student which is something that cannot be done in a traditional classroom setting of 20+ children who all have different learning styles. Going off of that, the same article shows that students also gain a better focus and motivation for school when learning from home because they may not be surrounded by peers who value learning less and mess around in the classroom. Homeschooled students also have greater pride when earning grades and achievements which is mainly a result of not having other students to compare their work to. 

Ultimately, both types of schooling have lots of pros and cons that all parents should look into before immediately deciding on the best fit for their child. With education comes the addition of many life skills that will be needed to thrive in the future. The right schooling for one child may differ from that of another, which is why all of this information should be exposed to parents in order for them to help create a pathway to success for their children.