Why Do Parents Choose to Homeschool?

GRAY, Tenn. - Feb. 1, 2022 - PRLog -- Many homeschooling families today say, "I never planned to homeschool." So why do they do it? What led them down that road? With some 3.7 million students now homeschooled in the United States (NHERI.org), the trend is catching on, and not solely among a single demographic.

Take a step back and look at the beginning of public education in our country and you will see how much the system has changed. Originally, schools created their calendar around the agricultural needs of the families in the community. The family's needs came first, while public education was simply an aid to parents. If a parent needed to keep a child home to work on the farm, that was an acceptable reason for absence.

Over time that began to change. Parental rights within the public school system began to fade and, in some cases, have now been nearly stripped away as the public school system has asserted more and more authority over children. Parents are seeing this and are stepping up to reclaim their rights to direct the upbringing of their children. "Families homeschool for a variety of reasons," states Gena Suarez, publisher of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. "As a decidedly Christian company, we see many families who homeschool for religious reasons, but we also see parents who have pulled their children out for other concerns—bullying, special needs, health issues, need for flexibility, and the list goes on."

The exodus from the public system hinges on the realization that a child's education can be customized at home, propelling them into the direction of their choice. Homeschooled students not only traditionally score higher on exams, but many are completing their education earlier than their public schooled peers. Using local and online resources, parents can gain assistance in teaching their children on a flexible schedule that works for their family. One curriculum option, SchoolhouseTeachers.com, is currently offering new members a discounted price. If they join now, they can keep the sale price for the lifetime of their membership. The reasons for homeschooling are many but they all lead to one place—home.

About The Old Schoolhouse®

The Old Schoolhouse® (www.theoldschoolhouse.com) is a privately held corporation that publishes the industry-leading homeschool education print magazine, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, as well as hundreds of books and planning support tools for homeschooling families. SchoolhouseTeachers.com, a division of The Old Schoolhouse®, supports over 9,000 member families with more than 400 courses for preschool through high school, educational videos, World Book Online, transcripts, report cards, planning tools, and recordkeeping. Established in 2001, The Old Schoolhouse® is focused on providing high-quality, encouraging, affordable solutions for homeschooling families.