John O. Andersen

Many unschoolers enjoy a childhood untrammeled by social pressure to conform
at the expense of individuality. Unfortunately, as they approach college
age, more than a few "throw in the towel" so to speak in their often
well-intentioned quest to "get ahead" and/or qualify for college admission
and later the working world. There is nothing wrong with going to college
and subsequently getting a job. There is, however, something wrong when
those pursuits turn learning into something for power rather than pleasure.
I'm convinced that sort of thing happens more often than most people would
care to admit.

I like to believe that unschooled children can grow up and enjoy the same or
even greater freedom as unschooled adults. They can do this while accepting
adult responsibilities, financially providing for themselves and their
family, and being active contributors to their communities.

There are many other people who agree with me on this point. A few of them
have created a fascinating non-commercial website with over 100 pages which
explores many aspects of what they describe as "creating livable
alternatives to wage slavery. It may give young unschoolers the inspiration
to continue following their bliss even as adults. You can find it at:

http://www.bogon.net/claws/


John Andersen
Portland, Oregon
http://members.xoom.com/joandersen