Sheltered?

Sheltered.....

How many times, I've heard non-homeschoolers and naysayers claim that children educated at home are shamefully sheltered from the 'real world'.

Sheltered......

What do we consider the 'real world'? Is it corrupt politics? Separation of students based on parental monetary class? Is it violence? Peer Pressure, keeping up with the Jones'? Is it learning how to get tough and protect yourself from being robbed, beat up, ridiculed? Is it allowing oneself to be exposed to those who lack morals, use dirty language, say crude jokes, and cute, but crude school yard songs?

Maybe the 'real world' is trying to prove that your not smart so you don't get beat up or teased? Or maybe it's the opposite? Proving that you are better than everyone else by showing off your intelligence, your clothes, cell phone, whatever? Maybe it's just plain trying to fit in, blend in, and be like everyone else, so you don't stand out?
You know it's not 'cool' to be a colorful waving flower in endless acres of stiff, plain green cornfields.

Is that the real world? Acres of boring green corn fields? Hills covered with identical "Ticky Tacky" houses? Children who dress, talk, act, think.....all the same?

And there you go. The children who don't conform to the "Real World" are accused of being 'Sheltered'.

What is 'Sheltered'?
If you are comparing it to the definition in the dictionary, shelter means a home. Quite appropriate for a homeschooled child.
But shelter also means, "Safety, Security, Protection, as in "Shelter from the storm, a place of refuge"

Those who throw the word 'sheltered' at homeschoolers, like a mean-spirited weapon, make it seem so evil that a child should be given the wondrous opportunity to be educated in a safe, protected, place of refuge. A place where a child can unlock their talents, interests, and learn in peace and safety, without all the negative distractions of the 'real world'.

What is the 'real world'?

I have seen the real world in the eyes of children looking forlornly out of school buses filled with rowdy kids, teasing, poking, throwing, groping. I have seen the 'real world' in the groups of kids gathering at school bus stops sneaking puffs of cigarettes, dope, and pills.

I have seen the 'real world' in the angry stares from overwhelmed, lost kids trying to keep up their tough shells, so they don't get hurt, yet again.

I have heard the 'real world' from tales from public school kids terrified of being stabbed or shot while going to the bathroom.

I have seen the 'real world' in the boredom and crushed spirits as children memorize words from textbooks.

I have seen the 'real world' in the girl's short dresses, faces covered with too much make-up, and black eyes....but not from mascara....no. From brutal girl fights on school property, no less.

I have seen the 'real world' in the backwards 'caste system' where brainless jocks and cheerleaders are recognized as the most popular, while super smart, future Bill Gates' types get their books knocked out of their hands.

I have seen the 'real world' in teachers that crush the dreams, creativity, and curiosity of young people...because that's what they are getting paid to do.

I have seen the 'real world' in rocks thrown by cruel children, causing others to go home bleeding, needing stitches, whilst teachers stand around and gossip.

And I have heard the real world in the boys' taunts about the flat-chested and big-busted girls, or that girls are dumber and can't do what boys can do. I have seen those hurt faces when those same girls get their bra straps pulled or get called mean names about their still developing bodies.

And I remember the real world when a young girl was cornered behind a church on her way home from school, by a big scary bully. And then punched in the face because this young brave girl stood up to that bully. A bully who thought it was funny to remove the thread from all the girls' sewing machines in Home Ec.

The real world?

And those mean-spirited people who accuse homeschoolers of being sheltered think that's a bad thing?

I think that, if offered, most students in 'the real world' would choose 'sheltered' if given half the chance.

I would.