Customer Reviews

Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense

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I've read a good number of books about homeschooling and was surprised and delighted to find this book discusses some topics I've not seen covered in other books. The jacket and chapter titles are not very clear about the content of the book so I will give an overview of what the book contains.

The introduction is one of the best pieces in the book! Guterson's theories on why American's hold public education so near and dear to their hearts, despite knowing the fallbacks and shortcomings. To ponder the notion of not sending our children to school is seen by many as un-American. Guterson feels we are unable to objectively examine schools for what they are because we are blinded by our memories.

Chapter one discusses standardized tests and in the end he states they are "unsound measurements of learning". School tests, quizzes, essays and assignments don't measure learning so much as they measure the child's "approximate degree of adjustment to life at school". Despite the many differences in homeschooling reason and method, the one central theme is the parent delivering an education that is custom designed to the child. Guterson states, "Teaching method and content in abstract are not relevant to academic success". This is refreshing because even amongst homeschoolers we usually encounter opinions of one teaching method or curriculum being superior to another.

Chapter two is a debate the author has with a father who does not support homeschooling and is a devout public school supporter. Debates about public schools as democracies, and the notion that homeschoolers should stay in schools and work to reform them and other topics are covered.

Chapter three discusses socialization and what it is that non-homeschoolers worry about regarding homeschooled children and socialization. Counter arguments are made for common misconceptions and the value that homeschooled children get from forming relationships with people of all ages throughout the community. An interesting idea that schooled students are so far disconnected from their own parents and their parents work lives that some students seek a close relationship with a teacher, to form a relationship with an adult mentor since their own parents are away from them the majority of their lives. Guterson feels that the social lives of schooled children is both dangerous and unhealthy, and that homeschooled children do have peer pressure but are less peer obsessed.

Chapter four is a dialogue between the teacher and his students about homeschooling and why he homeschools. To answer the question about "is homeschooling legal and should it be" the author brings his father, an attorney, in to the class for a lecture on the topic. Of note is that his father is opposed to homeschooling but supports the freedom Americans have and should continue to have to homeschool their children if that is their desire.

Chapter five is a history of childhood and formal education, a good broad overview, albeit dry.

Chapter six delves into the educational philosophies of Plato, Rousseau, Dewey, and the child-centered learning enthusiasts: Steiner, Montessori, Neill, Pestaluzzi and Froebel (although all still advocate mass institutionalized schooling as the delivery method). Then Illich and Holt are reviewed as the philosophers who advocate that learning can take place outside of a school building. This chapter gives a good overview and if the reader wants to learn more, he can research these educational philosophers.

Chapter seven is a dialogue with an acquaintance that opposes homeschooling. This chapter focuses on the notion that in our modern day America, to maintain our lifestyle requires dual income families and therefore schools must be used as babysitters. There is no discussion here about successful homeschoolers of single income families or single parent families. Interesting dialogue about the role the Federal Government and private businesses affect parents' abilities to be available to care for and homeschool their children. The author feels the real educational problems are rooted in the breakdown of families but doesn't spend too much time on this subject (despite the title of the book).

Chapter eight discusses childhood and education and learning before formal schooling. Traditional peoples are discussed and looked to for information about how children learn what they need to know to live, learning various skills and values from different people in the community (rather than inside of a schoolhouse). Guterson states that in creating schools we've removed learning from life and believe that learning can only take place inside of a school building.

Chapter nine covers learning theory and the notation that educational psychology and learning theory were developed after schooling was created 150 years ago. Despite knowing this information, schools have not changed their ways, which is a scary thought. Discusses Skinner, Piaget, and Bruner as having important ideas about how education should be changed.

Chapter ten discusses educational reform. Guterson feels that educational reform should be through strengthening families. Ideas for ways to public schools and homeschoolers to work together as a team are explored.

Chapter eleven is a discourse about what it is like for a homeschooling parent to be grilled by non-homeschoolers about the why's and wherefores of homeschooling. A rant about people assuming the father doesn't play a part in the education of the children is in this chapter along with a discussion of the men's movement. Guterson reminds us that parents have always been teachers and that it is only recently that teaching has become a salaried profession. Discussions about parents that can't wait for summer vacation to end so they can be rid of spending time with their children and about sports as the only link between disconnected fathers and schooled children is reviewed.

These are the meaty topics that are discussed in detail in this book. As I stated earlier, it is not a dry volume, it is quick to get to the point and studies and examples are given when appropriate. This is a great read if you are interested in the philosophy of homeschooling and schooling rather than "how to homeschool".

As a Christian I already have biblical reasons for wanting to homeschool. I did however want to get a viewpoint from someone who was not necessarily coming from a biblical perspective. I found this book to be so educational! Seeing the school system through the eyes of a public school TEACHER was refreshing and helped me a great deal in confirming what my husband and I should do for our children. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is currently homeschooling or considering it.

Forget HOW to homeschool -- what really matters is this beautifully articulated argument for WHY to homeschool. Institutional school is inflicted on generations of Americans in large part because we assume it's necessary to our cultural identity. Guterson makes a cogent, complete, and compelling case that children learn best when their own families take charge, and that the cold war between public schools and everyone else must finally yield to a more integrated, cooperative focus on each child's learning (wherever it may take place). Like Guterson, I am both a homeschooling parent and a public school professional -- this is the book I would have written someday if he hadn't already said it all so well. END

I found David Guterson's book several years ago, before he wrote Snow Falling on Cedars and it was so well-written and interesting, I was anxious for him to write more. I wasn't expecting it to be fiction, but it was and only proved my point that he is an excellent writer. Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense shows clearly both sides of the educational choice issue. It gives readers the option of thinking through the choices they make regarding the education of their children, without sounding preachy. Guterson is not homeschooling for religious reasons, he is a *public school teacher* who has decided that what is offered is not optimal for his children. And he is clear that this is not the best choice for everyone. Many homeschooling books pay lip service to this idea, but Guterson spells it out and even plays "Devil's advocate". This is not a book that preaches to the choir. It is fresh, clear and beautifully written. Even if you don't plan to homeschool your own children, read it so you can understand why others choose to do so.

Having home schooled since the 1970's I found this book along with the Home Schooling For Excellence by David and Micki Colfax to be the best books on the subject. Although I admit upfront we know the Colfax clan.

What I liked about Why Homeschooling Makes Sense is it's balance, if you will on the subject. Like the author I come from parents who were both professionals (academics and engineering) who while they home schooled me a couple years as a child when I was ill, they also were not that keen on the idea of us doing it ourselves. They have changed their minds now that our son has graduated university and has become a hard wroking well paid human adult.

I like how Mr Guterson shares the tug of war that many secular families deal with when it comes to both wanting the best educational experience for their own child(ren) while also wanting to see public schools survive for the masses who need them. He shared so many of our own feelings in a manner that few have or can. I also agree with him that some parents should not home school, but that parents also need choices in education.

There are numerous home schooling books written by religious home schoolers, or what I call religious or political zealots, so when I find a secular book on the subject that is also AWESOME, I grab it and share it. And one thing as snobbish as it sounds that I love about Family Matters : Why Homeschooling Makes Sense is it shows that people who are well thoughtout types and who are themselves active in a variety of causes and activities, make the BEST home schoolers.

This is a family who like the Colfax family, made sure their children were NOT isolated, but were instead exposed to a variety of activities, be they cultural, political, academic and environmental. I now the island the author lives on well as I spend many years in Vashon Island just south of where he and his family reside. I also think that unique areas like islands and Redwood and Sierra country here in California, serve unique home schooling families well.

I also urge secular home school families to buy a copy of this book for your local library as well as your home library.

I found this book to be full of usefull and helpful information! I think that Mr. Guterson did a wonderful job of informing parents of today's schools and how important family is in making education work. I would recommend this book to any parent wether they plan on homeschooling their children or not. Since the auther is both a public school teacher and a homeschooler he can see clearly both sides of the homeschooling "debate", (for lack of a better word.) He makes it abundantly apparent that all parents everywhere need to make a decision to be a major part of their children's educational experience whether that means teaching them in the home or choosing to send them to public school. No matter what you decide is best for your child(ren) this is a book that I would suggest any parent read!

No public or private school teacher can equal the 1:1 ratio of a parent-child relationship. Guterson dispels myths about homeschooling being only for eccentrics and religious zealots and addresses the usual questions of 'does your child have any friends?' and 'is your child REALLY being educated?,' as well as issues of legality, the role of public schools in America and how the state school system can be an asset to parents rather than a harassing neighbor. I would definitely recommend this book to the parent that would like to homeschool, but thinks it would either be too hard, too time-consuming or too weird. Plus, he's a pretty good story-teller and this book is filled with amusing anecdotes. (It's only after I bought it that I realized he was the same author who wrote the locally famous "Snow Falling on Cedars.")

After reading many, many homeschooling books, I can honestly say this is the one that is well marked, underlined and has it's own place on the shelf. David Guterson is a masterful writer who describes both sides of the education coin - public verse home education. His chapter on socialization is thoughtful and interesting. I appreciate his non-emotional writing style that is educated and well balanced. If I had read this book before my eldest entered kindergarten, we would have started homeschooling years ago. The Family DOES Matter - and that is why education at home makes sense. I wish more politicians would read this book and stop giving lip service to the family - and help Americans educate their children with more ease - be it in public schools, homeschools or a mixture of both. Well written!!

I found the historical information interesting. Guterson doesn't say anything totally revolutionary (historically speaking)--he doesn't unearth all sorts of historical factoids that no one's ever heard before--but what he does say is interesting, and leastwise confirms with details what you probably already guessed. I appreciated that the book was more philosophical, but by the end I just got tired of reading it for some reason. I guess since it didn't opt for being practical or apologetical, I could only swallow so many times the same paragraph over and over; "Homeschooling is great. Public Schools shouldn't be shut down. Administrators say they will change but don't. Schools need to rethink how they educate kids. Yada yada." Don't get me wrong, the book was very good at what it was attempting to do, I just felt like Guterson (or his publisher) shot himself in the foot by making it about 20-25% longer than it should have been. I guess it particularly got on my nerves since it was coming from an English teacher, considering that I would have gotten some bad marks for not cutting out all the redundancy if I had handed in a college paper like it.

David Guterson writes a basic philosophy on homeschooling for the parental audience. This title is an excellent support book or defining book on the subject of homeschooling.

Where "Family Matters" comes into focus is throughout the book as compared to the more traditional school system. This title is a great aid in building support or confidence for any family looking to homeschooling.

Need to build a case for the grandparents? This is your book! If you are on the fence and need support, again this is your book. It truly is the best title on the argument for putting the family at the center and in control of your child's education.