Christians in general, and homeschooling parents in particular, are frequently charged with indoctrination. I have been regularly taken back by the comments I read or words I hear from self-proclaimed "tolerant" individuals in society. There seem to be twin presumptions, two sides of the same coin. The first of these presumptions is that parents who choose to educate their children at home are engaging in a form of child abuse. By swimming against the current of mainstream society, by electing not to educate their children in the public school system, homeschoolers are often confronted, directly or indirectly. Those who would argue against the freedom to educate children at home often voice concerns that home educators are poorly prepared to train their children, are too politically conservative, and seek to shelter their children from the truth in the "real world". Furthermore, religious training is viewed as a particularly egregious form of indoctrination that homeschool parents practice.
The other side of the coin is the presumption that government, media, and the public education system are immune from indoctrinating the students in their charge. Public schools are presented as bastions of tolerance for any and all viewpoints.Yet, familiarity with public schools often reveals anything but tolerance. In the state of Wisconsin last year, public school teachers made their values abundantly clear when they staged "sick outs" to march on the state capitol and protest Scott Walker's union policies. During that time, some teachers also took their children outside to march in protest to Scott Walker. This is but one example of many ways of indoctrinating children. Other examples include the prohibition of teaching intelligent design next to evolution, of teaching abstinence next to to safe sex practices, or of forbidding children to pray, even silently. Tom Gilson's recent article in the Washington Post highlights the subtle, or perhaps not so subtle, ways in which indoctrination occurs in school districts as well.
Do homeschoolers "indoctrinate" their children? Certainly, if indoctrination means that children are educated about a set of beliefs. Doctrine is defined as, "A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group" so indoctrination would involve education about that set of beliefs. Homeschoolers also educate their children about a wide range of subjects--mathematics, English, history, music, and logic to name a few. Homeschool parents typically take their role as educators very seriously.
However, it is not only homeschoolers who influence their children's beliefs. All parents, if they are doing their job well can and should influence their children's beliefs. Most parents believe in teaching their children to know right from wrong. Most parents, whether directly or indirectly, shape what their children believe about themselves, others, and the world. There is a word for parents who fail to shape their children's beliefs--neglectful. Children who are left to their own devices, who grow up without any sort of parental influence or education, do not learn to function well in society.
It is time that schools, and parents who send children to public schools, recognize that they are indoctrinating children as well. How teachers present material and how they respond to student questions and behaviors reflects a system of belief. At a more basic level, the philosophies of textbook authors come through as well in the words they write. Education is not a morally neutral enterprise. Even systems, such as the popular values clarification from the 1960s assumed a particular "doctrinal" perspective.
Beyond teaching my children what I value, I also expect them to become critical thinkers. I expect them to learn about and appreciate truth, beauty, justice, respect, and mercy. I expect them to be able to analyze systems of thought, including their own, and be able to identify flaws in thinking. I expect them to be humble and teachable, yet confident and wise. I expect them to develop critical thinking skills so that they can learn to "spot the lie" as Os Guinness has suggested. Rather than restricting their learning, I hope to open their minds to a wider world than much public education allows.
Finally, with regard to schools, I am thankful for teachers and public education. I am grateful that I live in a country where public education is free and accessible for all children. For parents who choose to send your children to public schools, make sure you are invested in your children's learning as well. Talk about their schoolwork. Ask questions. For the educators (whether at home or in the schools), do not simply assert a point of view. Ask questions. Encourage questions as well. Teach students to think critically. Allow them to explore viewpoints that you may not hold.
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