Radical Unschooling: On the news

[Anthony Roman Inga]

I was yahoo today, surfing through videos, and I was pleasantly surprised to find this: 

http://news.yahoo.com/video/health-15749655/extreme-parenting-radic...

First time I saw something unschooling related on the news. From this video, I'm glad to hear that unschooling has grown a bit more. I also found the reporters' reactions a bit funny, but what you can expect? It's a small group. Any opinions on this video?.

[Slinky]

I saw it here http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/unschooling-homeschooling-book-... the reactions to it are really interesting.

[Anthony Roman Inga]

Yeah, it is. They're, alien to it, I remember when I explained it to my parents, school officials; they had similar reactions.

Slinky said:

I saw it here http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/unschooling-homeschooling-book-... the reactions to it are really interesting.

[Wendy Tomlinson]

What I found amazing was when the female presenter said "How do you give children choices unless you expose them to things they don't know they necessarily want to do?"

My own son is still in school and we are intending Unschooling him later this year. As and adult (not in school) I am exposed to choices hundreds of times a day as I know my son will be throughout his life.

Really, how much choice do children actually have in school. School says do it. Not a lot of choice their really.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a judgement free world.

[Fawn Klein]

Is school about being exposed to all things? I believe my own kids are exposed to making web pages (their interest) at grade 4 long before their peers.
I don't think school is about taking classes to get exposed to things. I think life is about getting out and about in order to experience things. I'd have never taken a trip to Italy last October if my kids were in PS.
Growing up my Mom would get us out of school (play hooky) and she would take us on field trips to the zoo, the School for the blind, the beginning of the Mississippi (in Minnesota), and many such exposures I never would have in the class room. She also taught us to fib. :-( When I home school I benefit my kids our weigh without having to teach that it is ok to fib.

And
the reporter asks the girl, "Do you feel prepared for college? Do you feel prepared academically, socially..."
This had me laughing. I went to public school. I was definitely not prepared for college. (I still haven't gone.) I took college prep courses. I was not prepared.
On top of that? I was far from being socially prepared for college. In fact, Being the ugly duckling, I am rather terrified and still feel socially awkward.

This video was really bias. How about going in and recording a video of PS students. Show the differences of how worse PS can be compared to home school. Then ask the kids if they feel prepared for life? If they are prepared for college?

Sorry, I have my bias opinion too. I grew up in public school.

[Anthony Roman Inga]

I'm going to be unschooled myself very soon, and I agree. When one says school is supposed to allow kids to have various choices, the other says school is to instill obedience and responsibility. The "choices" one makes in school is to conform and do everything under their will or get punished and scolded if you didn't folloe directions, and then not to disobey again. School creates a thinly veiled illusion of choices.

Wendy Tomlinson said:

What I found amazing was when the female presenter said "How do you give children choices unless you expose them to things they don't know they necessarily want to do?"

My own son is still in school and we are intending Unschooling him later this year. As and adult (not in school) I am exposed to choices hundreds of times a day as I know my son will be throughout his life.

Really, how much choice do children actually have in school. School says do it. Not a lot of choice their really.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a judgement free world.

[Anthony Roman Inga]

Pesonally, the video wasn't biased in the fact that it portrayed the whole concept of unschooling in a negative light, but the reporters did showed pre-judgment, and worse yet, hints of that were shown in the interview. It should've been in a more neutral tone, but it's sort of a common reaction. I know how you feel; people think that without school, kids won't be responsible, which is a misconception, unschooling and actively learning require self-discipline. How do you feel about the notion that "kids won't be able to adjust in real life if they don't do things they don't want to do."
cite>Fawn Klein said:

Is school about being exposed to all things? I believe my own kids are exposed to making web pages (their interest) at grade 4 long before their peers.
I don't think school is about taking classes to get exposed to things. I think life is about getting out and about in order to experience things. I'd have never taken a trip to Italy last October if my kids were in PS.
Growing up my Mom would get us out of school (play hooky) and she would take us on field trips to the zoo, the School for the blind, the beginning of the Mississippi (in Minnesota), and many such exposures I never would have in the class room. She also taught us to fib. :-( When I home school I benefit my kids our weigh without having to teach that it is ok to fib.

And
the reporter asks the girl, "Do you feel prepared for college? Do you feel prepared academically, socially..."
This had me laughing. I went to public school. I was definitely not prepared for college. (I still haven't gone.) I took college prep courses. I was not prepared.
On top of that? I was far from being socially prepared for college. In fact, Being the ugly duckling, I am rather terrified and still feel socially awkward.

This video was really bias. How about going in and recording a video of PS students. Show the differences of how worse PS can be compared to home school. Then ask the kids if they feel prepared for life? If they are prepared for college?

Sorry, I have my bias opinion too. I grew up in public school.

[Fawn Klein]

I was under the impression that bias (3 a : bent, tendency b : an inclination of temperament or outlook; especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice ) was "not neutral". I'm unsure if you meant to say it should have been more neutral in tone? If the video was portrayed in a negative light I see it as bias.
It barely showed a clip of the little girl telling her mom how much money she had while at a store. I wonder if the kids ever cook or do their own laundry? Do these radical unschoolers leave everything for Mom to do? I wish we had less pieced together news and that we could see more of what radical unschooling is. Bad and good.

I'm sorry for looking at media as bias. I think it gets more viewers. Not that they mean harm. Not that it is their views. I think they realize it will get an audience and more people will talk about it and view it. Recently, I read an article about Boy Scouts and the abuse that has been going on and covered up. However, they used a photo of Cub Scouts. Since, My sons are in Cub Scouts I know parents have to be involved and go on camping trips. My kids are not left alone with adult leaders. I'm there. However, I read the article and I see this photo of these young innocent boys and I think about how awful it is for these poor boys to be in Scouts.

My intent is to remind people and anyone reading that we should remember we are not getting a full story. I can only hope that laws are not passed because someone watches this video and uses it as their only source in regards to home school. We must always educate ourselves and not just take one viewpoint as the truth. Actually, That should be educate and re-educate ourselves.

Anthony Roman Inga said "How do you feel about the notion that "kids won't be able to adjust in real life if they don't do things they don't want to do."

How do I feel about the notion? I think kids do adjust as they live. We all do things we don't like doing. I believe if I saw more of The Biegler family I would see their kids doing things they might not want to. I do not think Mom and Dad wait on their kids hand and foot. In order for my kids to live they often do things they don't want to do. My son want to make computer games. We found game maker 7. He hates reading. However, He has had to adjust and read. No one comes over and reads for him and tells him how to do each step to create a game. He had to adjust to life and read it himself.
When Merlin wanted another coconut creme pie, I refused to just buy an expensive pre-made one. I told him if he wanted one to make it from scratch. We bought the ingredients. I never knew how easy one was to make! (even I learn) He adjusted to life.
Life is not about pampering and bending to ones needs. Life throws you lemons and you make lemonade. In order for the people to do the things we want to do, We often realize that we must do something we would rather not.
In other words, I would think that the ones not forced to do things they don't want to do would be the ones to adjust to life the best. They didn't do things grudgingly. They are probably happier with the end results. If adjusting means happiness?
If I were to give a short answer, I would say the notion was idiotic. All of life is adjusting. You adjust in the womb, you are born and adjust to the outside, you struggle to walk, you learn to run, you watch and observe throughout life. All of life is adjusting.


However, I'm not opposed to public school. It works for some people. I just believe that sometimes judging unschool to public school is like comparing apples and oranges. There are enough lists about things wrong with public schools. However, I do not think that it makes home school or unschool better. They are all just different. There are negative lists about home school too. There is good and bad in all things. We try and make the best choices for our family.

"The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn." ~John Lubbock


ning.com/forum/topics/radical-unschooling-on-the#2184370Comment98896">

Pesonally, the video wasn't biased in the fact that it portrayed the whole concept of unschooling in a negative light, but the reporters did showed pre-judgment, and worse yet, hints of that were shown in the interview. It should've been in a more neutral tone, but it's sort of a common reaction. I know how you feel; people think that without school, kids won't be responsible, which is a misconception, unschooling and actively learning require self-discipline. How do you feel about the notion that "kids won't be able to adjust in real life if they don't do things they don't want to do."

[Anthony Roman Inga]

Yup. Same here. Considering how unschooling is almost unheard of to the mainstream, I wondered if they were going to portray it worse than they actually did, like some of the comments. A lot of those comments were ignorant and full of prejudice. Though the video in part may be to blame. I.e. it showed an unschooling family and had "No textbooks" in the title whilst I would utilize various books to gain information.

Fawn Klein said:

I was under the impression that bias (3 a : bent, tendency b : an inclination of temperament or outlook; especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice ) was "not neutral". I'm unsure if you meant to say it should have been more neutral in tone? If the video was portrayed in a negative light I see it as bias.
It barely showed a clip of the little girl telling her mom how much money she had while at a store. I wonder if the kids ever cook or do their own laundry? Do these radical unschoolers leave everything for Mom to do? I wish we had less pieced together news and that we could see more of what radical unschooling is. Bad and good.

I'm sorry for looking at media as bias. I think it gets more viewers. Not that they mean harm. Not that it is their views. I think they realize it will get an audience and more people will talk about it and view it. Recently, I read an article about Boy Scouts and the abuse that has been going on and covered up. However, they used a photo of Cub Scouts. Since, My sons are in Cub Scouts I know parents have to be involved and go on camping trips. My kids are not left alone with adult leaders. I'm there. However, I read the article and I see this photo of these young innocent boys and I think about how awful it is for these poor boys to be in Scouts.

My intent is to remind people and anyone reading that we should remember we are not getting a full story. I can only hope that laws are not passed because someone watches this video and uses it as their only source in regards to home school. We must always educate ourselves and not just take one viewpoint as the truth. Actually, That should be educate and re-educate ourselves.

Anthony Roman Inga said "How do you feel about the notion that "kids won't be able to adjust in real life if they don't do things they don't want to do."

How do I feel about the notion? I think kids do adjust as they live. We all do things we don't like doing. I believe if I saw more of The Biegler family I would see their kids doing things they might not want to. I do not think Mom and Dad wait on their kids hand and foot. In order for my kids to live they often do things they don't want to do. My son want to make computer games. We found game maker 7. He hates reading. However, He has had to adjust and read. No one comes over and reads for him and tells him how to do each step to create a game. He had to adjust to life and read it himself.
When Merlin wanted another coconut creme pie, I refused to just buy an expensive pre-made one. I told him if he wanted one to make it from scratch. We bought the ingredients. I never knew how easy one was to make! (even I learn) He adjusted to life.
Life is not about pampering and bending to ones needs. Life throws you lemons and you make lemonade. In order for the people to do the things we want to do, We often realize that we must do something we would rather not.
In other words, I would think that the ones not forced to do things they don't want to do would be the ones to adjust to life the best. They didn't do things grudgingly. They are probably happier with the end results. If adjusting means happiness?
If I were to give a short answer, I would say the notion was idiotic. All of life is adjusting. You adjust in the womb, you are born and adjust to the outside, you struggle to walk, you learn to run, you watch and observe throughout life. All of life is adjusting.


However, I'm not opposed to public school. It works for some people. I just believe that sometimes judging unschool to public school is like comparing apples and oranges. There are enough lists about things wrong with public schools. However, I do not think that it makes home school or unschool better. They are all just different. There are negative lists about home school too. There is good and bad in all things. We try and make the best choices for our family.

"The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn." ~John Lubbock


ning.com/forum/topics/radical-unschooling-on-the#2184370Comment98896">

Pesonally, the video wasn't biased in the fact that it portrayed the whole concept of unschooling in a negative light, but the reporters did showed pre-judgment, and worse yet, hints of that were shown in the interview. It should've been in a more neutral tone, but it's sort of a common reaction. I know how you feel; people think that without school, kids won't be responsible, which is a misconception, unschooling and actively learning require self-discipline. How do you feel about the notion that "kids won't be able to adjust in real life if they don't do things they don't want to do."

[Fawn Klein]

I think it was portrayed worse when Doctor Phil had unschoolers on his show. I think as more and more schools get worse, as more public schools close do to lack of funds, as more extra curriculars are cut, then more other forms of learning become acceptable.

I'm glad to see you read the comments to. I find reading comments tend to give me a fuller view of things; a better understanding.

"The best of my education has come from the public library... my tuition fee is a bus fare and once in a while, five cents a day for an overdue book. You don't need to know very much to start with, if you know the way to the public library." ~Lesley Conger



Anthony Roman Inga said:

Yup. Same here. Considering how unschooling is almost unheard of to the mainstream, I wondered if they were going to portray it worse than they actually did, like some of the comments. A lot of those comments were ignorant and full of prejudice. Though the video in part may be to blame. I.e. it showed an unschooling family and had "No textbooks" in the title whilst I would utilize various books to gain information.

[Andréanne]

This is a very typical media representation of a different idea, complete with creative editing. I am sure they chose specific clips and different bits to feature in their text blurb to manipulate the portrayal of unschoolers. Anything that appears to portray a group that is "not in compliance" in a bad or suspicious light, will garner better ratings. The reactions tell the whole story. The media knows that they will get better ratings and higher viewer/readership if they tell the majority exactly what they want to hear. The majority of the public does not want their ideas about traditional education and traditional parenting styles to be challenged by the non-traditional being portrayed particularly positively. That would be seen as too threatening.
Society at large is not ready for unschooling. It is different from anything most of us have ever heard of, it is unknown. Things that are unknown, no matter how good they may be in principle or how good they are in reality, are very scary to most people. The result is fear, anger, and a desire to squash whatever is making them uncomfortable in order to reassure themselves that their comfortable, traditional idea is the right one and the ONLY right one. It's threatening to consider things differently when you are so emotionally invested in tradition and don't know anything else.

[Slinky]

I am not sure how I feel about glen beck supporting homeschooling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EsGZOGQIqI&feature=channel

[Anthony Roman Inga]

I saw a follow-up on ABC about unschooling, I'll watch it tomorrow.

Slinky said:

I am not sure how I feel about glen beck supporting homeschooling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EsGZOGQIqI&feature=channel