Homeschooling: Understanding the Nuances Through the Lens of Parents

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to explore and understand the concept of homeschooling as an alternative way to educate children from the perspective of parents who are currently practicing it. The data was collected from five mothers, residing in Delhi/NCR, India, who are currently practicing homeschooling using semi-structured interviewing method. The data was thematically analyzed. The findings of the present study reveal that homeschooling is an individualized educational program with learning at its core. The decision and practice of homeschooling is accompanied by various reactions of others as well as various emotions experienced by both the parents and homeschoolers. Further, socialization is not difficult for children when practicing homeschooling with them. However, the present study had certain limitations; firstly, it did not involve the perspective of the homeschoolers. Secondly, experience of only one of the parents i.e., mothers were studied. But the present study will help in increasing awareness and understanding about homeschooling in the Indian context. Moreover, the experiences shared by the participants may encourage other parents to consider homeschooling as an alternate form of teaching their children.