Your thoughts, please, on homeschooling ...

[PeachBaby]

.... if you lived in Japan where there is a huge cultural emphasis on group/fitting in? I know there are both pros and cons about fitting in as a group as well as for individualism, but am wondering about the effect it will have if I homeschool DS (who is not even 2 years old yet .... I'm just thinking and trying to plan ahead). DS may feel left out, seeing all the other kids walking to/from school as it is very visible since they all walk to school/back home together in groups wearing obvious school uniforms/hats. And I wonder if he will feel looked down upon, as lots of those who do homeschool here are seen as dropping out of school. Thanks!

[skueppers]

The best thing we did in making the decision to homeschool was to meet other homeschoolers in our area.

Is it possible for you to meet homeschoolers where you live? I'm sure they would have a lot of insight into these questions!

[PeachBaby]

Thanks, yeah, that's what I hope for, to find at least one homeschooling family that lives close by so that DS can have a friend. But there are very few homeschoolers in Japan because from my understanding, they are looked down upon as avoiding school. Not a "good thing" when the cultural expectation is to do as the group does. There are other homeschoolers, but most are in Tokyo which is far from where I am.

[SundayCrepes]

Are you a permanent Japanese resident or are you an ex-pat that will move on some day. That could make a huge difference. If you'll be leaving, then the societal standards may not be so relevant.

[Smithie]

It also makes a difference if you are of Japanese or Caucasian ancestry. If your ds is white, then the sad fact is that he's going to be a cultural outsider in some sense no matter what you do WRT schooling.