Seven Sins of Our System of Forced Education

Sometimes I find, no matter how uncomfortable it makes me and others feel, I have to speak the truth. We can use all the euphemisms we want, but the literal truth is that schools, as they generally exist in the United States and other modern countries, are prisons. Human beings within a certain age range (most commonly 6 to 16) are required by law to spend a good portion of their time there, and while there they are told what they must do, and the orders are generally enforced. They have no or very little voice in forming the rules they must follow. A prison--according to the common, general definition--is any place of involuntary confinement and restriction of liberty.

(Here's the seven sins that are expounded upon in the article:)

1. Denial of liberty on the basis of age
2. Fostering of shame, on the one hand, and hubris, on the other
3. Interference with the development of cooperation and nurturance
4. Interference with the development of personal responsibility and self-direction
5. Linking of learning with fear, loathing, and drudgery
6. Inhibition of critical thinking
7. Reduction in diversity of skills, knowledge, and ways of thinking

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/200909/seven-sins-our-system-forced-education

Stephanie wrote:I organized a group of homeschoolers to attend "Student Day" at the Hurricane Civil War reenactment. I had an experience there I'd like to share with you.

We use the "portfolio review" option for yearly assessment. In the community center President Lincoln gave a speech but my little camera didn't have the ability to take photos in there so when it was over I tracked the actors portraying President & Mrs. Lincoln down and asked them if I could photograph them.

These actors at these events stay "in" character, particularly around the children. He asked Loyd what school he attended and Loyd responded "I'm homeschooled." When I was done photographing and we were about to depart the gentleman said, "You're doing the right thing homeschooling. Never doubt your decision. I raised four children and homeschooled all of them. The eldest now works as a molecular biologist. (I forget what he said the middle 2 do) The youngest is a nurse. Colleges love homeschoolers because they think outside the box."

Schools are like factories that pump out cookie cutter kids. They stifle creativity and quash free thinking.

I have a lot of personal experiences I look back on with schools that I draw upon when I'm having a bad day or worse, week, homeschooling. They happen. I love it when an outsider provides additional resources to draw upon during those difficult times. That guy made my Friday. This article made my Sunday! Thanks for sharing, Sam.