Think It Over Thurs: Bullies & Shootings

This week, we heard about the amazing story of a woman talking down a school gunman and saving who knows how many people from unnecessary violence and death. I have talked to a lot of parents who say that stories like these are the reason why they consider homeschooling. Then they ask me if that’s the reason why I homeschool.

The answer to that is no; I homeschool because learning happens everywhere, all throughout life—not in a designated building, planned and taught and legislated by designated “experts” who decide what you need to learn and when. But I do know some families who cite that as a reason why they homeschool among other reasons. I do like that my daughter is with me all day for the most part (aside from classes and activities that she chooses), and if there’s a storm or a disaster we are more likely to be together as a family as it occurs.

I don’t think schools are any less safe than, say, the supermarket, where a creepy guy trailed us once and seemed to approach Wood Sprite when she was very little every time my husband reached to get something away from the cart. Or than the car, where people have accidents every day. Or life itself, with its many risks and dangers.

I will acknowledge, however, that there are some school districts where violence occurs every day and I might cite safety as another reason if I lived in one of those districts. Of course, those dangers aren’t from random shooters but from the community itself, and in that case I’m not so sure your own neighborhood would be much better of an enviornment. And if your child is being targeted by bullies in a school that refuses to do a thing about it, I certainly don't blame you for homeschooling for that reason, either.

What about you? Do you homeschool because of bullying, school shootings, gang violence, predators or any other dangers at school?

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