As parents, we all want the best for our children—especially when it comes to their education. But have you ever considered what kind of environment shapes your child’s mind for six to eight hours a day in public schools? As a father of four and a former public school student myself, I was skeptical about homeschooling at first. Yet, for the past 15 years, my wife and I have homeschooled our children, now ages 15 to 22. The results speak for themselves: our kids are thoughtful, independent, and quick to recognize flawed ideas in the world around them. Allow me to share why homeschooling is not just an alternative but a powerful way to nurture critical-thinking individuals who grow into adults who share your values.
The Roots of Public Education: A System Built for Control
Public schools trace their origins to the Prussian school model of the early 1800s, a system designed not to foster creativity but to produce obedient citizens for the state. This model is designed to this goal. The classroom has few windows, lit by harsh fluorescent lights. Children sit in orderly rows facing away from the exit. An authority stands at the front of the claustrophobia inducing room delivering lessons from a state-approved textbook. Questioning the material is actively discouraged. Everything your child needs is meted out by this authority, even the privilege of using the commode. The schedule is strict, and deviations are frowned upon. This setup isn’t about empowering students—it’s about control, prioritizing compliance over curiosity. That’s the blueprint still influencing public schools today, shaping young minds to follow rather than think independently.
Public and Private Schools: Falling Short of Freedom
Public schools often expose children to ideas that clash with the values of you, the parent. Many educators, with good intentions, lean toward collectivist principles or heavy government involvement—ideas that may not align with families who prioritize personal freedom. The system’s design pushes conformity, aiming to mold students into predictable citizens rather than critical thinkers. The results can be stark: kids may come home parroting ideas that feel foreign to their parents’ values, like a neighbor’s child who suddenly sees everything through a lens of division or dogma.
Private schools might seem like a solution, but they often follow the same rigid structure and state-mandated standards. While they offer some flexibility, they’re not a complete answer for families seeking an education rooted in a certain set of values, whether that be secular, religious or otherwise. Both systems, at their core, prioritize external control over individual growth, leaving parents with limited say in what their children learn.
Homeschooling: Empowering Parents and Kids
Homeschooling offers a different path—one where parents take the lead in their children’s education. It’s about reclaiming the natural right to guide your kids’ learning, tailoring it to their unique needs, interests, and pace. Instead of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, homeschooling at its best lets you create a guided tour of ideas, exposing your children to diverse perspectives while helping them analyze each one’s strengths and weaknesses. Compare that to public schools, where the loudest ideas often dominate through force, not reason. Homeschooling fosters stronger family bonds, with parents actively shaping their children’s moral and intellectual growth.
Worried about the challenges? I get it—I was too. “I’m not qualified to teach,” you might think. But resources abound! Local homeschool co-ops, and online tools make it easier than ever. “It’s too hard,” some say. Yes, it takes effort, but the rewards are unmatched. Watching my kids wrestle with complex ideas and grow into independent thinkers has been the most fulfilling part of my life— not even close! And the socialization concern? It’s a myth. Homeschoolers connect through voluntary activities like sports, clubs, or church groups, letting you choose peers and environments that reflect your values. Drive by a high school parking lot after school. Do you want your child to emulate those teens, or would you rather guide them toward a community that fosters critical thinking and respect?
A Call to Action: Build a Future of Freedom
For parents and future parents, homeschooling is a chance to live your values. By choosing it, you’re not just educating your children—you’re protecting their ability to think freely in a world that often demands conformity. Murray Rothbard once said, “The state is the great enemy of mankind, and education is its most powerful weapon.” The state wants to shape your kids’ minds, but you have the power to stop it.
This isn’t just for current parents. If you’re planning to have kids, start exploring homeschooling now. Connect with Nevada’s vibrant homeschooling community, tap into resources on the NHN support pages, and consider how you can raise children who cherish your values. Let’s build a future that we can look forward to with excitement rather than dread.