I asked them about curricula, about managing all the different age groups in the household, about different resources they used. I was surprised, because only two of the families were actually familiar with any of the leading curricula.
If they had been homeschooling for a long time, there is a good chance they had found what worked for them years ago, and they had no need to go searching for the latest and newest curricula, so they weren't up on the latest "leading curricula" like you were, since you were just starting to look into it. In fact (my self not included) there are families out there who love to use the original or at least classic books, like the New England Primer. They believe in the old motto: "Don't reinvent the wheel." PS is constantly trying to reinvent the wheel, and they aren't getting good results. The curricula I purchased 18 years ago to teach my children to read is not the latest fad, and wasn't when I bought it, but it was called the "cadillac of reading programs" by Cathy Duffy, who writes the "bible" reviewing Homeschool Curricula. It worked so well, I'm going to keep it so my children can use it for their own children if they want to. I bet you wouldn't know the name of our reading curriculum, but I wouldn't assume that you wouldn't have been successful with the curricula you had chosen for your family.
My last church produced seven homeschool graduates the year I moved; one went into ministry, and the rest are still languishing in local department store jobs. Which is entirely "okay." I mean it's not like they're in prison. But when you have such a high turnout with a weak career path, I think there is something wrong with the education choices that were made.
One went into ministry, while the other 6 are all working in department stores? First, I find it hard to believe that all 6 are working in department stores, rather I am inclined to believe that you are embellishing your story to try to prove your point. But lets say that all 6 really are all working in department stores. I wouldn't call a high school graduate with a job a "weak" career path. They have jobs and are learning a work ethic. Have you read the statistics about unemployment of highschool and college graduates lately? Jesus' father, Joseph, was a carpenter, Paul was a tent maker. Peter was a fisherman. From many homeschool parent's perspective, having any honest, moral job is honorable.
Young adults in their late teens may not even know what they want to do later, as a career. It is better to let them experience life a little, working at a job, rather than throw money at a University so they can get a BS in something that they might not even use. Did you ask any of those parents their opinion about their children's career path?
I have actually told my children that they don't need to have it all figured out by the time they are 18. There is no magic age to start College. I went right out of high school, and changed my major. When I got a job using that major, I hated the environment. I went back in my 30's and got a second degree that got me out of the classroom. Similar situation with my husband. We wasted money going to college too soon. Our parents weren't "creative" in their approach to college, they were products of their PS system.
All of our children are thinking about what they would like to do to make money after hs. Rather than instantly thinking "college" we are helping them think of quicker and less expensive ways to get the training and expertise they will need to reach their goals. Now if they were going to be lawyers or doctors, they would have to go the traditional route. Most jobs in the real world don't require a college education, but they might require some training and experience.
I'm not trying to be offensive, but I need to say this. You sit in the seat of judgement, and seem to have everyone else's lives figured out for them, particularly all homeschoolers you have known or come in contact with. Every time you post, you are cutting down another family....or seven.
If you like PS, then have at it. I hope your children go straight to college, and you aren't disappointed by their choices. Homeschoolers in general, however, are trying to help their children find their own individual paths, even if it looks different to others. We are also very creative and think outside the box regarding education and many other areas of life.
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