When I was starting out as a bartender while in college, I was given a valuable piece of advice. I was told to always avoid religion and politics as topics, because bar clients, especially after a few drinks, will become very heated and at least half will disagree with my point of view and leave a lousy tip.
Now there is a third topic I know to avoid: homeschooling. I received some very spirited comments to last week’s parenting poll.
The question was whether homeschooling makes sense. As of now, the results stand at 50-50. That’s a true sign of a hot topic, two evenly divided sides.
I still can’t say I understand it, but at least I have a better take on why. Here are some of the comments:
Homeschooling has less to do with gaining a better education…and more to do with curbing the influence the rest of the world has on their children – Chuck
If your child is bullied, molested, poorly educated, has self-esteem damaged????then what – Sade
So it isn’t about the quality of the education, though that is a factor in some cases. Rather, it is an attempt to shield your kids from outside influences or different moral values. I get it.
My response would be that they will be exposed to the evils of the world eventually. Kids need to learn how survive in today’s society. Better to have them learn from the start.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments everyone.
And, as I would have done at the bar, we’ll agree to disagree. Can I top you off? And how ’bout them Giants! (sports is always a safe topic)