Hmm.
It's becoming increasingly clear to me that I started this off the wrong way. I'm sorry.
I should have realized this sooner, but then I've never been known to my friends as someone who is terribly good at seeing how what I say is being received.
Here's where I think I went wrong:
1. I invited my readers to a conversation and then presented a multi-part story as the first part of the conversation. There really wasn't any place for comment until the end of the story. That makes for a lousy conversation.
2. I didn't realize just how different some of my starting assumptions are from some other people's and I just jumped right into where my thought processes are now instead of going back to the beginning of my thought processes so we could iron out assumptions and see if we end up back where I am right now or if we end up someplace completely different.
Here's what I'm going to do about it:
1. Reboot. I'm starting the conversation over. This time, no multi-part stories- which are, to one degree or another, me monologuing. This time, more questions.
2. This time, I'm going to endeavor to "start at the very beginning, a very good place to start." (Sorry, one of my mom's favorite movies is Sound of Music, so I grew up watching it.)
So, let's try this again, shall we?
Question #1:
Who's responsibility is it to educate children?
Posts
A Response to Charlie Kirk's Assassination
1 month ago
My answer is simple, yet not dead simple. Children should be educated by those most qualified to teach them. There are a few corollaries that could be added, but I think that primarily the parents and self are the best teachers. At some point, parents become less qualified to instruct in the particular area(s) that the child wishes to learn, and so a better teacher must be sought.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I believe it is very important to distinguish the difference in material being taught: Academic intellect and moral fiber. Moral fiber must most definitely be taught primarily in the home, though it can be gained elsewhere, but academic intellect can be gathered most any place; the "University" being the most recent institution I've been a part of, not counting video instructional courses. C.S. Lewis' book "The Abolition of Man" is an excellent, if mentally strenuous, read on the matter.
It would be better if you didn't beat around the bush and stated your current position on the particular issue/issues that trouble you. Getting your own points out there for people to directly respond is better than just getting a bunch of opinions in that there's something concrete to work with.
ReplyDelete@anonymous: I like questions I can respond to.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to go with Roy Halberg's answer over on facebook. This is not something we get to decide ourselves: God himself has dictated this one.
We can and should delegate, but it will be our own responsibility if the delegate turns out to be a bad choice, or if we fail to be involved with the education that a delegate delivers.
And do not forget that it is not only the student who gets educated. Parents grow and learn as they teach their children. I cannot tell you how much wisdom I've had access to through educating my children at home.
But if the job is done right, then there is no bubble (I haven't read your other posts, but saw the titles of some previous posts) or if there is one, it is temporary and for the sake of preparing to re-encounter the world. The bubble is there, but it has a purpose, and that is not protection, but rather strengthening.
I raised my children on the assumption that they were eventually going to have to go out into the world and encounter it. I knew they needed to know that mistakes and ideas have consequences: so the bubble was there only to keep the consequences small enough for a child to recover from and grow stronger and wiser through.
I have been friends with many homeschooling parents who did choose the bubble philosophy: somehow they thought that the goal of homeschooling was protection, and now that their children are grown, the children are encountering the world and do not know how to cope with it. Sadly, the parent sometimes continues to attempt to protect their adult children, which is not only sad, but a sin.
It is most definitely the parents responsibility, and even privilege, to educate their children. The parents know their children better than anyone else. They know how each one learns, and which areas they need more time studying.
ReplyDeleteI was going to write something, but Gilligan already covered it. I support his viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteShalom all,
ReplyDeleteWhat we are looking at is being to the glory of God our Father. He created us in Christ Jesus to be to His glory.
For some great insight, see Trends - Victor Choudhrie at my site. He is from India