Context
The fatal shootings at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut caught the nation’s attention in 2012. But has this anything to do with homeschooling? Some think so.
“A Connecticut government task force wants to give
special educators with public schools the power to veto
homeschooling parents’ education plans.” 1 The allegation
is that students who are “troubled” are at greater risk of
doing something bad if they are home educated, and the
government must control them more than others. The
first problem with this regarding this tragic incident is
that the shooter was public schooled for 10 years of his
life before he was apparently homeschooled. Second, research consistently finds positive things associated with
the social, emotional, and psychological development of
home educated children and youth.
Along these lines, many ask the following: Will the
home educated grow up to be mentally healthy or not?
Will they seek psychological help if they need it? Will
they be taught by their parents to shun help? Some of the
public wonder. Some researchers wonder.
The
Informed
Homeschooler
Brian Ray
Mental Health
of Homeschoolers Gets
Positive Marks
Research consistently finds positive
things associated with the social,
emotional, and psychological
development of home educated
children and youth.
