Homeschooling: Advantages and disadvantages
(Sent by Claudia Soñez, a student from Viale, Entre Ríos, Argentina)

Throughout the 20th century a new educational movement has been spreading through the United States. This popular phenomenon is known by the name of homeschooling. Its aim is to educate children at their own home by their own parent or a tutor. This innovating way of educating children has lead led to a heated debate between people in favor against and those who oppose this movement.

To begin with, the main advantage of homeschooling is that it brings security for students. Most people support the idea that public schools have become crime scenes where drugs are sold and consumed, students are murdered, and educators are robbed.

Furthermore, students spend more valuable time with their families if they are educated at home. It is generally suggested that an environment which is full of love and care will help children to develop their personality properly. What is more, homeschooling prevents racial or religious discrimination or bullying by means of staying at home.

On the other hand, many people oppose to homeschool children. They claim that the most serious disadvantage of this educational movement is the lack of social development. Critics suggest that if students do not interact with other peers, this situation will be damaging children's future personality. Another negative aspect is that the parent or tutor in charge may not be suitably qualified to teach all the contents children need to learn. Some people are convinced that children need to be educated by teachers who are trained to lecture on the subjects. In addition to this, sceptics claim a homeschooler can have problems fitting into society. The fact that children are not acquainted with social rules could lead to a frustrated adult.

All things considered, although initially it may seem that homeschooling brings along only advantages, further consideration of the topic shows that it has also drawbacks.