Magic Words: Ultra Religious Baby Makers

The title's a bit harsh, but most people have met a family like this, or seen them on TV .

These are the type of homeschoolers that really complicated my life growing up. Especially in the midwest, these families are more common than you might think. You'll know them by their matching, homemade clothes, their 15 passenger vans and their sheer numbers.

The question, however, is, what happens to the children in these families after graduation? Honestly, not much. They tend to hang around at home until they marry and begin having children of their own.

I grew up in a community filled with families like this, and found the "religous nut" stereotype to be one of the most frustrating. Once in a college environment, I found my self overcompensating, by being completely silent about my personal beliefs and afraid of being lumped into a category with "them."

It's important to remember, however, that if these families wish to live a life so different it turns heads in walmart, that is their perogative. As always, the best way to confront a stereotype is to break it. It is neither necessary to hide one's values or to push them on others.

Magic Words: The Prodigy

If you've been paying attention, you've probably noticed him, even if he's never spoken to you. he might look so strange that you know right away. It might be just the smallest of things. He gives you a little more space than necessary when he passes you in the hall, or refuses to make eye contact. The professors love him, though. It's obvious he's an excellent student, which you think is lucky for him since his people skills are non-existent.

One day someone makes a casual comment about him having been homeschooled. The lights come on and you can't help but think, that explains a lot!

A common feature of stereotyping is confusing cause and effect. This holds especially true when discussing homeschooling. When looking for something positive to say to homeschool grads, people usually fall back on, "really? Well, my sister homeschooled her children and they all graduated and went to college at 14. Homeschoolers are just some of the smartest kids."

Here's a question. What else is there to fall back on after being labeled "socially inept" besides one's academic abilities?

Homeschooled prodigies like Judit Polgar and Christopher Paolini are not an accurate representation of the results of homeschooling in general. They are, however, examples of the behavior people expect to see to justify the concept of homeschooling.

The day I tell someone I was homeschooled and they say, "really? Homeschoolers are just the nicest people," my stereotype of our society's views on education will be drastically changed.