Hey! So I know OP is writing this out of genuine concern for children, and I know there has been terrible abuse in many homeschooling situations. I would never want to diminish that. But just to offer another perspective -
I was homeschooled as a child, all the way til high school. My parents were partially influenced by religious reasons (I am an EX-vangelical) but also to give me a better education - my school was under performing, and they did not have the funds for a private school. (I also understand sending a child to private school is problematic in itself, as as a teacher and social justice advocate, I know this does worse than nothing to address the systemic issues in the underfunding of puclic schools). But my mom was a credentialed teacher, and my dad made enough for us to get by if she did not work outside the home. And so, from first grade, I was homeschooled.
I adored it. My curriculum was foundationally strong, but almost unschooling-like in its flexibility. As long as I completed all my subjects each day, I could do them in any order. If I found a passion for a certain topic (the French Revolution in history, existentialism in philosophy), I could pursue it as far as I wished. There were no bells to constrain my learning into blocks, no grades to sap my risk-taking, no shame for my neurodivergence. I was gifted (whatever that means), but I was never singled out or made to feel that I was somehow superior to others. I was taught kindness, and listened because it is what I was shown.
As for the often-bemoaned lack of socialization, I was lucky enough that that was not a problem for me. I had many friends in the area who were also home schooled, and we spent countless hours at each others' houses and on field trips to museums, libraries, nature trails, and more.
Lest this sound too idyllic, the situation did have its problems. We were part of a very legalistic and judgmental church, and this did not mesh well with my moral OCD. My parents had marital struggles, and my dad took advantage of his position as the breadwinner to disparage and diminish my mom - which I did not know about at the time, but sensed the tension, and I feel guilt for it to this day.
But my parents' sacrifices, especially my mom's, were what granted me an excellent education. I transitioned to public high school easily, both academically and emotionally (though my friends were amused at how sheltered I was). I graduated summa cum laude, and went on to do the same ay university.
I have had so much privilege, and would never want to discount the valid lived experiences of those who had a home school experience unlike mine. But seeing all the hate towards home school, I had to offer another perspective. Home school can be a mistake, a loss, even a tragedy. But for me? It nurtured me, let my mind grow untethered, and it is the reason I am a teacher and an activist today.
