Josh Duggar’s Molestation Case: Blame Restrictions not Homeschool

In the world of Facebook, everyone has an opinion and it is likely you will hear/read it, regardless you agree or not. Stemming from the recent interview with the Duggars, unfair assumptions are being tossed into the face of the millions of homeschooling families. After all, all homeschooling families must be Christian, and all Christians must be to blame. Removing the aspect of religion is a necessity for this specific avenue. Certainly, when it comes to the Duggars, the contradiction of shaming gays and sex before marriage has been highlighted, but they are not representative of all religious or homeschool families. Curiously, posts like this pop-up on Facebook that are compounding the situation.

Well, he was homeschooled, what do you expect?

Homeschoolers are always restricted and he’s eyeing up his sisters instead.

Homeschooled, nuff said.

As a loud and proud homeschooling mother, I was kind of surprised at the attack against the homeschooling avenue. The problem with Josh Duggar was not homeschool, it was restrictions. His parents forbade a massive group of children from being curious teenagers, and any parent of a teen knows, you just cannot. They will find a way to break from the shell, and it is up to us to foster a positive introduction or face a negative consequence. It may be “embarrassing” but discussing the changes to come with puberty is necessary, as is the talk for safe sex, masturbation and the remainder of the lot.

In modern times, homeschool is not just an avenue for Christian families. It has become a rock for families who despise seeing their children stress testing. It has become a centerpiece for people who believe much of the true history is never revealed in administration approved books. It has become fundamental for families to teach outside of the box instead of a “one size fits all” mantra. It has become a saving grace for families who experienced bullying against their child.

I am not Christian. While I have a belief system, it does not correlate with any church or religious organization, but I endorse and fully support all methods of homeschool.

Learn about free range homeschooling

It is not very often children go to school and learn to be with nature, to understand who Nikola Tesla was. It is not often children learn very early on about the value of a dollar, and how organizational skills can last you a lifetime. Trust me - restriction and homeschool for modern parents just do not coincide. Our kids are more free-range, and interact with the world on multiple levels of socialization.

In the world of homeschool, unconventional processes are cheered, because a student-led education shows how promising children become.

But, in any environment when restriction and indoctrination take place, expect negative ripples. None of us knows what happened in the Duggar household. We only saw what the media allowed us to see. We only heard from two parents who fiercely protected their son. We’ve seen preview clips of two daughters crying, saying they forgave their brother. So, understand what you say/think, what I type and think is all speculative to the premise of what we receive.

When parents teach sex as a negative experience, as a punishable experience - it will get ugly, very fast. I understand and respect everyone’s religious choices. They will never be my own, but I respect it. What I cannot respect is any parent who teaches understanding how to respond to sex naturally is evil or wrong before a specific age or marital status.

Read more about famous homeschoolers

Prohibition, restrictions, and etc. have proven time and time again to be false. They just do not work. If a teen wants something bad enough, with or without your stamp of approval, they will do it. Which is why I believe in providing the best information, and teaching them how to protect themselves while letting them go be teens. The results may just surprise you.

Please, when arguing or debating this case with friends, family or strangers - separate it from us homeschoolers. Yes, we socialize - you might also be surprised how much. Many of our kids are young, aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators and do not have a specific clock when to talk, and just play. Discuss Josh Duggar’s misgivings and his parents restrictive nature for a massive amount of kids, but don’t blame homeschooling. One situation should never summarize the entirety.