wanda Temple

Evidently Marilyn vos Savant received numerous letters
from happy
homeschoolers, but sorry, folks, she's not convinced.
She says we
didn't answer the question she asked. Here's an
excerpt from her
latest response on Parade's website:

"...Many home-schoolers described how well their kids
are doing and
their high hopes for them, but almost no one addressed
my concern
that a large percentage of the kids would never use
their educations
if they became home-schoolers themselves. Gifted
violinists would
never be heard in a concert hall; great leaders would
never be able
to change society; brilliant scientists would never
have a shot at
curing cancer.

Here's a question to ask yourself: Would you want to
home-school your
sons and then watch them become home-schooling parents
themselves
instead of having careers? This is a serious
philosophical issue: If
you stay at home and teach your child rocket science,
and he stays at
home and teaches his child rocket science, and he
stays at home and
teaches his child rocket science, when does anyone
ever become a
rocket scientist? In short, home-schooling is easy to
recommend for
certain individuals, but hard to recommend for
society..." (e-mail:
marilyn@...)

Heres my responce to her question : Let me know what
you guys think ..
Marilyn,
This is in responce to your homeschool questions ...
I have been homeschooling for 2 years now and I love
it ... Someone once asked me what hopes i had for my
daughter when she grows up ...I hope for her to find
and have faith in God ,to have a wonderful husband
,and a happy long life ,Then the question came about
her career ,Or to homeschool her kids. I hope that
she does homeschool her children !!! I hope that i
have installed in her that children are the most
important part of our lives ..That a child is a gift
from God and that it is our job to raise that child
and to take care of them to teach them about God
...Not to push them off one someone else to raise ,or
send them off for some one to teach them that man came
from apes....It is our "career "to raise our
children. It is more rewarding then any paying JOB
there is out there ...As far as my daughter using her
gifts or being a leader. We as homeschool parents do
all that. We teach our children what we know, we share
our gifts with them, we lead them in the direction
they want to go. We do not force them to think one way
or another. They are free to think on their own, not
what someone else tells them that it is the way to
think. That someone elses ideas are better then
theirs.. We look and learn at all angles, not just one
sided views . To answer your question, I would be
very proud if my daughter or sons grows up to
homeschool their children .
Thank you ,
Wanda In SC.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
http://taxes.yahoo.com/

gruvystarchild

Here is what I wrote to her:

Marilyn,
I recently saw some of your comments at a homeschooling e-mail list
I'm on.
I must say, for someone as vocal as you are, I am surprised you are
willing to put your name on some of these comments before you
research a little further.
Your question about homeschoolers raising up more homeschoolers and
no one entering the workforce is absurd.
Most homeschooling families have at least one parent working, do they
not?
Do you think all of those children will grow up to ONLY homeschool
and do nothing else?
I know homeschooled children that are out in the world today, doing
fabulous at their vocations of choice and plan to homeschool their
own one day.
I am quite sure that they will either continue at their chosen career
paths or put them on hold to raise children (in itself a viable and
worthy career choice...too bad you don't realize that) and then
continue with work that is satisfying to them.
If we look at education over all, homeschooling is making a mockery
of the public system.
That irks people. But to use the excuse that homeschoolers will not
contribute to society in any other way is so absurd I can hardly
believe it!
I have children that are a part of society NOW. They don't have to
wait for some magical "when I grow up" time to be a part of their
comunity and world. They can volunteer (along with myself or not),
work and educate themselves in a variety of methods....instead of
sitting in some false environment all day.
As their mother, I work part time myself, but do not feel it is
necessary for a fulfilling and meaningful life.
My husband and I run a successful home business we started from
absolutely nothing but our own hard work.
How on earth are we not contributing to our community or society
because we homeschool?
Many, many people contribute to society in a myriad of ways, while
homeschooling.
You really need to do some research to prevent yourself from looking
ignorant on a subject you are willing to speak so loudly about.
You seem to think homeschoolers just stay home and "homeschool" all
day....that is laughable.
Homeschoolers are usually far and away, extremely involved in and
contributing to the communities in which they choose to live.
For some, like myself, that is in the heart of a town. Running a
business and serving other members of the community.
For others it involves military service and travel, yet others find
their place in the country with homesteading or farming.
Here are a few of the careers homeschooling families right here in my
town are doing....Herpetologist, Beauty consultant, Contractor,
Artist, Doctor, Pilot, Real Estate Agent, Bookstore owner, Manager
for an auto store, Interior design, ....the list goes on.
These are homeschooling Mothers AND Fathers, and in many cases,
children.
I know single parents that homeschool, small and large families and I
have never met one single family that was not contributing to society
in some way, large or small.
If people that homeschooled, ONLY homeschooled and did nothing else
for the entirety of their days then you MIGHT have a point.
But you see, that isn't how it goes at all.
So you have no point. Do some research.
Ren
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
> http://taxes.yahoo.com/

joanna514

That was good Ren!
I wrote too, but I sent it and didn't copy it first and it
disappeared.
I commented on her lack of basic math skills. It doesn't take an
entire lifetime to homeschool your children!!
I also went into the fact, like you did, that many people are
involved NOW, with their children, in real life pursuits.
I left her with those great quotes by Plato, Margaret Mead, Mark
Twain, Albert Einstein.....
Joanna

--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "gruvystarchild" <starsuncloud@c...>
wrote:
>
> Here is what I wrote to her:
>
> Marilyn,
> I recently saw some of your comments at a homeschooling e-mail list
> I'm on.
> I must say, for someone as vocal as you are, I am surprised you are
> willing to put your name on some of these comments before you
> research a little further.
> Your question about homeschoolers raising up more homeschoolers and
> no one entering the workforce is absurd.
> Most homeschooling families have at least one parent working, do
they
> not?
> Do you think all of those children will grow up to ONLY homeschool
> and do nothing else?
> I know homeschooled children that are out in the world today, doing
> fabulous at their vocations of choice and plan to homeschool their
> own one day.
> I am quite sure that they will either continue at their chosen
career
> paths or put them on hold to raise children (in itself a viable and
> worthy career choice...too bad you don't realize that) and then
> continue with work that is satisfying to them.
> If we look at education over all, homeschooling is making a mockery
> of the public system.
> That irks people. But to use the excuse that homeschoolers will not
> contribute to society in any other way is so absurd I can hardly
> believe it!
> I have children that are a part of society NOW. They don't have to
> wait for some magical "when I grow up" time to be a part of their
> comunity and world. They can volunteer (along with myself or not),
> work and educate themselves in a variety of methods....instead of
> sitting in some false environment all day.
> As their mother, I work part time myself, but do not feel it is
> necessary for a fulfilling and meaningful life.
> My husband and I run a successful home business we started from
> absolutely nothing but our own hard work.
> How on earth are we not contributing to our community or society
> because we homeschool?
> Many, many people contribute to society in a myriad of ways, while
> homeschooling.
> You really need to do some research to prevent yourself from
looking
> ignorant on a subject you are willing to speak so loudly about.
> You seem to think homeschoolers just stay home and "homeschool" all
> day....that is laughable.
> Homeschoolers are usually far and away, extremely involved in and
> contributing to the communities in which they choose to live.
> For some, like myself, that is in the heart of a town. Running a
> business and serving other members of the community.
> For others it involves military service and travel, yet others find
> their place in the country with homesteading or farming.
> Here are a few of the careers homeschooling families right here in
my
> town are doing....Herpetologist, Beauty consultant, Contractor,
> Artist, Doctor, Pilot, Real Estate Agent, Bookstore owner, Manager
> for an auto store, Interior design, ....the list goes on.
> These are homeschooling Mothers AND Fathers, and in many cases,
> children.
> I know single parents that homeschool, small and large families and
I
> have never met one single family that was not contributing to
society
> in some way, large or small.
> If people that homeschooled, ONLY homeschooled and did nothing else
> for the entirety of their days then you MIGHT have a point.
> But you see, that isn't how it goes at all.
> So you have no point. Do some research.
> Ren
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
> > http://taxes.yahoo.com/

joanna514

> Heres my responce to her question : Let me know what
> you guys think ..
> Marilyn,
> This is in responce to your homeschool questions ...
> I have been homeschooling for 2 years now and I love
> it ... Someone once asked me what hopes i had for my
> daughter when she grows up ...I hope for her to find
> and have faith in God ,to have a wonderful husband
> ,and a happy long life ,Then the question came about
> her career ,Or to homeschool her kids. I hope that
> she does homeschool her children !!! I hope that i
> have installed in her that children are the most
> important part of our lives ..That a child is a gift
> from God and that it is our job to raise that child
> and to take care of them to teach them about God
> ...Not to push them off one someone else to raise ,or
> send them off for some one to teach them that man came
> from apes....It is our "career "to raise our
> children. It is more rewarding then any paying JOB
> there is out there ...As far as my daughter using her
> gifts or being a leader. We as homeschool parents do
> all that. We teach our children what we know, we share
> our gifts with them, we lead them in the direction
> they want to go. We do not force them to think one way
> or another. They are free to think on their own, not
> what someone else tells them that it is the way to
> think. That someone elses ideas are better then
> theirs.. We look and learn at all angles, not just one
> sided views . To answer your question, I would be
> very proud if my daughter or sons grows up to
> homeschool their children .
> Thank you ,
> Wanda In SC.

You asked us to let you know what we think, and I have debated on
doing so.
But...I will. :-)
I think if you are going to send persuasive letter, you should be
very careful with your spelling and grammar. On a message board or e
list, it really doesn't matter. We're all just whipping out our
thoughts. But in a letter where you are trying to explain the
benefits of homeschooling to a doubter, I would be more careful.
Also, is this woman Marilyn a Christian or even religious at all?
If so, your comments on God and schools teaching about evolution is
valid. However, to someone who is not religious(esp. Christian) the
point is moot.
I commented on this, not to pick or be mean. I wanted to give you
some suggestions if you ever decide to write to someone again.
If you disagree, then simply disregard. :-)
Joanna

rumpleteasermom

And I told her that perhaps the problem was a society that no longer
values raising children as a pursuit but instead institutionalizes
them and squelches their creativity at an early age.

Bridget

--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "joanna514" <Wilkinson6@m...> wrote:
>
> That was good Ren!
> I wrote too, but I sent it and didn't copy it first and it
> disappeared.
> I commented on her lack of basic math skills. It doesn't take an
> entire lifetime to homeschool your children!!
> I also went into the fact, like you did, that many people are
> involved NOW, with their children, in real life pursuits.
> I left her with those great quotes by Plato, Margaret Mead, Mark
> Twain, Albert Einstein.....
> Joanna
>
> --- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "gruvystarchild" <starsuncloud@c...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Here is what I wrote to her:
> >
> > Marilyn,
> > I recently saw some of your comments at a homeschooling e-mail
list
> > I'm on.
> > I must say, for someone as vocal as you are, I am surprised you
are
> > willing to put your name on some of these comments before you
> > research a little further.
> > Your question about homeschoolers raising up more homeschoolers
and
> > no one entering the workforce is absurd.
> > Most homeschooling families have at least one parent working, do
> they
> > not?
> > Do you think all of those children will grow up to ONLY homeschool
> > and do nothing else?
> > I know homeschooled children that are out in the world today,
doing
> > fabulous at their vocations of choice and plan to homeschool their
> > own one day.
> > I am quite sure that they will either continue at their chosen
> career
> > paths or put them on hold to raise children (in itself a viable
and
> > worthy career choice...too bad you don't realize that) and then
> > continue with work that is satisfying to them.
> > If we look at education over all, homeschooling is making a
mockery
> > of the public system.
> > That irks people. But to use the excuse that homeschoolers will
not
> > contribute to society in any other way is so absurd I can hardly
> > believe it!
> > I have children that are a part of society NOW. They don't have to
> > wait for some magical "when I grow up" time to be a part of their
> > comunity and world. They can volunteer (along with myself or not),
> > work and educate themselves in a variety of methods....instead of
> > sitting in some false environment all day.
> > As their mother, I work part time myself, but do not feel it is
> > necessary for a fulfilling and meaningful life.
> > My husband and I run a successful home business we started from
> > absolutely nothing but our own hard work.
> > How on earth are we not contributing to our community or society
> > because we homeschool?
> > Many, many people contribute to society in a myriad of ways, while
> > homeschooling.
> > You really need to do some research to prevent yourself from
> looking
> > ignorant on a subject you are willing to speak so loudly about.
> > You seem to think homeschoolers just stay home and "homeschool"
all
> > day....that is laughable.
> > Homeschoolers are usually far and away, extremely involved in and
> > contributing to the communities in which they choose to live.
> > For some, like myself, that is in the heart of a town. Running a
> > business and serving other members of the community.
> > For others it involves military service and travel, yet others
find
> > their place in the country with homesteading or farming.
> > Here are a few of the careers homeschooling families right here in
> my
> > town are doing....Herpetologist, Beauty consultant, Contractor,
> > Artist, Doctor, Pilot, Real Estate Agent, Bookstore owner, Manager
> > for an auto store, Interior design, ....the list goes on.
> > These are homeschooling Mothers AND Fathers, and in many cases,
> > children.
> > I know single parents that homeschool, small and large families
and
> I
> > have never met one single family that was not contributing to
> society
> > in some way, large or small.
> > If people that homeschooled, ONLY homeschooled and did nothing
else
> > for the entirety of their days then you MIGHT have a point.
> > But you see, that isn't how it goes at all.
> > So you have no point. Do some research.
> > Ren
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Do You Yahoo!?
> > > Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
> > > http://taxes.yahoo.com/

rumpleteasermom

Marilyn is very conservative politically. I don't know if that
includes religion or not.

As for the grammar thing, anyone who wants a free proofread of things
like letters to the editor can feel free to send them to me off-list.

Bridget


--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "joanna514" <Wilkinson6@m...> wrote:

>
> You asked us to let you know what we think, and I have debated on
> doing so.
> But...I will. :-)
> I think if you are going to send persuasive letter, you should be
> very careful with your spelling and grammar. On a message board or
e
> list, it really doesn't matter. We're all just whipping out our
> thoughts. But in a letter where you are trying to explain the
> benefits of homeschooling to a doubter, I would be more careful.
> Also, is this woman Marilyn a Christian or even religious at all?
> If so, your comments on God and schools teaching about evolution is
> valid. However, to someone who is not religious(esp. Christian)
the
> point is moot.
> I commented on this, not to pick or be mean. I wanted to give you
> some suggestions if you ever decide to write to someone again.
> If you disagree, then simply disregard. :-)
> Joanna