Homeschooling to Counter the Culture of Consumption

by Shay

I came across a Washington Post article titled "Spending More for a Little Solace," which explains reasons that people buy "features they do not need and may never use," the bells and whistles on their DVD player, SUV, digital camera, etc. As a parent who taught her children consumer awareness from their toddler years on, and who views mainstream American culture as largely driven by Madison Avenue, a passage jumped out at me. It noted that interviews with children and parents show that "low-income parents do not splurge because they fail to understand the importance of delayed gratification or because they are impulsive," but because "they are acutely sensitive to how certain consumer products influence their children's 'search for dignity.'" The researcher said that, even among famlies that were extremely poor, every 8-year-old boy in her sample "had a Game Boy or Nintendo." This is because "parents, especially poor parents, tend to buy products they cannot afford because they are acutely focused on whether their children are fitting into peer groups." The parents "were choosing their child's psychological desires over their own material needs.'" That is a sad indictment on mainstream cultural identity in the US, and it gives good reason to resist assimilation.

Because consumer awareness has been a consistent part of my children's home education, Caitlin (17) and Laurel (14) are keenly aware of the psychological effect of advertising, as well as the lack of real value in most things heavily advertised. As a result, they are not materialistic; they don't feel the need to have whatever product is "in." Instead, when making consumer choices they follow their own hearts, and even then, they tend to set aside instant gratification, often spending time researching the product and reading reviews online before making the decision to spend.

Unbeholden to Madison Avenue's commands to "Collect 'Em All!" and "Get the New Improved!," the kind of things my children buy reflect a different set of values. The goods they desire are thoughtfully chosen books, music, and movies--all things that enrich them on well beyond the temporary rush of obtaining something new, and on levels deeper than the simple brief amusement from items bearing little "play value."

Although many of the myths about homeschooling have been dispelled in recent years, our educational choice is still considered by many to be a "fringe" activity, practiced by oddballs from either end of the extremist spectrum. While I will continue working to clear those stereotypes in my own way, I also embrace the oddity of my educational choice, feeling comfortable being outside the mainstream, and so do my children. While Caitlin and Laurel are still sometimes looked at askance because of their unique educational paths, homeschooling has given them something of infinite value. Their desires are their own.

Shay Seaborne is an edgewalker, known to leap empty-handed into the void. Fun and magic are crucial elements in the design of her life. Shay filed her first Notice of Intent to homeschool in Virginia in 1995 and has enjoyed homeschooling with her children ever since. She loves living, learning, and sailing with her two daughters, who are turning out well despite being raised far from the turbid waters of the mainstream.

Comments

[Marjorie]

I love being an oddball. And I can't help but wonder if the 'popular' types deep down feel odd, too -- only maybe they worry about it rather than embrace it. I love having no idea what product another mom is looking for in a store because her kid saw it on TV. This kind of ignorance really is bliss.

[Jan Zeiger]

So true.. I taught low-income kids for several years and was often baffled at the fact some of them had the latest and most expensive tennis shoes and clothing. Not all, of course, but many of my kids whose parents were truly struggling were dressed to the nines.. I assume it was because they wanted their kids to fit in.

[Opal Tribble]

It seems that most of the groups I identify with are considered "odd" it's not something I do purposely but they groups I'm affiliated with happen are usually seen as "odd". For the most part my family has been supportive of my homeschooling a few batted an eye since I'm a single mom they did not think it could be done. I told them I can do it.

[Cynthia]

Beautiful.

[Crimson Wife]

This is a major reason why I've chosen to homeschool. I hate all the materialism in our area and was very disappointed to see how prevalent it is in even the parochial schools which are *supposed* to be teaching children Jesus' message of simplicity. It's hard to go against the prevailing consumer culture but we're trying to "walk the walk" and not just pay lip service to the teachings of our faith.

[loonyhiker]

It irks me to no end to see my students on free lunch wearing tennis shoes I can't even afford to buy my own kids. But, that's another rant. I have to say that I commend people who homeschool their children and do it the right way. Just like in public schools, you will have some that aren't done right but most of the kids who have been homeschooled are far more advanced socially and academically then the students at my school. I have been lucky enough to have some homeschoolers actually do some volunteer service with my classroom to help my students with their work. This has been a wonderful experience!

[JoVE]

" The parents "were choosing their child's psychological desires over their own material needs.'"

I've worked with someone on research that had some of this in it. This sentence jumped out at me. This means that parents are NOT EATING in order to ensure there kids have things that will help them fit in. Seriously. NOT EATING. This is more than just out of hand.

[Tina Essert]

We have many similar posts in our blogs. I had not read that report you mentioned, though I could have guessed. Sad.