The Western Confucian is contemplating an interesting topic. Any thoughts on the concluding remarks?
It seems clear that institutionalized schooling often results in stultifying conformity and herd mentality. It is no stretch of the imagination to think that homeschooling often produces the opposite.
Homeschoolers are often portrayed as indoctrinating their children, especially those of us who do so at least partly for religious reasons. But whoever controls the education of a child wields great power over who that individual will become (although not absolute.) Who should possess that power?
I had a TA in college who said her job as a public educator was to stamp out creativity wherever it reared its ugly head. My job as a homeschooling parent is to inspire the child to creativity and to teach her how to mold and shape that creative energy into something useful and applicable to the world.
We as homeschoolers tend to make learning personal and relevant to our children, incorporating the entire community rather than following a strict curriculum that is the same for an entire grade level with occasional excursions into the world. Life and learning are more intimately intertwined. The joy of learning and hence of private reflection, thought and discourse is not squelched so young.
Principled Discovery is a place to stop and discuss news and information related to faith, family and particularly education. Pour yourself a cup of tea and join the conversation! 
I agree that homeschooling produce the opposite of institutionalized schooling. Herd mentality is very clear about this part.
I believe that creativity is one benefit of homeschooling that shouldn’t be ignored.
Regarding the stamping out of creativity in the public schools, Harry Chapin wrote a song, “Flowers are Red”, which captured the idea well.
Dana,
I saw at Henry’s blog that the Homeschool group on Truth Laid Bear was up and running. That never really worked for me when I was on homeschoolblogger as it never picked up my articles. However, I have a different blog page now and I would like to give it a whirl. I looked for your email addy, but couldn’t find it so I am posting here. please email me at melissamarkham at takethemat dot com
I agree that public schools create a sort of herd mentality. That is impossible to do with homeschooling because there is no herd. Even families that believe the same or use the same curriculum will teach in different ways because their children are different. Each child gets a unique education.
Here’s a guy who has a lot to say on the subject of PS and group think. I love the way his mind works…
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/index.htm
The audio is really great.
yes…it has been awhile, but I thought of him while reading the original post!
Here’s one of my favorite John Taylor Gatto quotes on this subject:
“That’s the secret behind short-answer tests, bells, uniform time blocks, age grading, standardization, and all the rest of the school religion punishing our nation. There isn’t a right way to become educated; there are as many ways as fingerprints. We don’t need state-certified teachers to make education happen—that probably guarantees it won’t.”
I’m exploring the new blogs at Gack Ink, as I have a Gack Ink blog too.
Hope you enjoy being part of the network. It’s a great bunch of people, and some great blogs too.
The herd mentality which is created by public schools can really influence the students in different ways. Even if it’s not in their nature, some will slowly change if they stay with the group long enough.