I have to say I am soooooo surprised that my Dad of all people would espouse the need for conformist public school.
He said that to me tonight and I immediately shot him down.
"That's not an educated or informed opinion, Dad."
"Oh?" He said, aghast as he went to Uber Fancy Ivy League school for his Masters and believes he, thus, knows everything. He's an odd duck my Dad which is why he thinks conforming is important.
Because he thinks that would have helped him. Which is a bad argument anyway since he went to public school.
Look where all that 'conforming' got him!
So I successfully championed homeschooling which is a personal best for me, as it's not often I can leave my dad speechless. My dad isn't going to change his mind necessarily based on my word (what do I know, right?) which is why I was thinking of forwarding an article.
What would your recommended reading be for the socialization argument?
I was able to point out and get agreement from Dad on the following points:
1. Conformism is not something that must be cultivated from 0 to 17 years of age. We have plenty of time to conform in our lives. It's easy to conform. It's hard to be original, to be true to ourselves.
2. Knowing who we are and having the room and space to pursue our interests and passions when we are young feeds later happiness and fulfillment.
3.Socialization with peers is overrated and does not occur exclusively in schools.
So help me put on the finishing touch so at least this segment of my family will be quiet.
DD is only 2 and already they are up in arms.
V
He said that to me tonight and I immediately shot him down.
"That's not an educated or informed opinion, Dad."
"Oh?" He said, aghast as he went to Uber Fancy Ivy League school for his Masters and believes he, thus, knows everything. He's an odd duck my Dad which is why he thinks conforming is important.
Because he thinks that would have helped him. Which is a bad argument anyway since he went to public school.
Look where all that 'conforming' got him!So I successfully championed homeschooling which is a personal best for me, as it's not often I can leave my dad speechless.
My dad isn't going to change his mind necessarily based on my word (what do I know, right?) which is why I was thinking of forwarding an article.What would your recommended reading be for the socialization argument?
I was able to point out and get agreement from Dad on the following points:
1. Conformism is not something that must be cultivated from 0 to 17 years of age. We have plenty of time to conform in our lives. It's easy to conform. It's hard to be original, to be true to ourselves.
2. Knowing who we are and having the room and space to pursue our interests and passions when we are young feeds later happiness and fulfillment.
3.Socialization with peers is overrated and does not occur exclusively in schools.
So help me put on the finishing touch so at least this segment of my family will be quiet.
DD is only 2 and already they are up in arms.
V
. The book was written in response to a lot of criticism he took from family and colleagues. I think it would be quite worthwhile to get a copy. There's a whole chapter, as I recall, where he relates a great conversation he had with his dad one day when they went out fishing. It's really eloquent. - Lillian
