I want to start this blog by emphasising the importance of the answer to the question you may have typed into google that found this blog, Home Education is a perfectly legal form of education. It is your human right as a parent to a child. It is their human right to freedom in education. It is valid, not just as a last resort, but just as valid, as schooling. This blog doesn't hold any punches, so get ready to feel fired up. 

The Toxicity of Conformity: Breaking Free from Schooled Beliefs

In today's fast-paced world, conformity often feels like a default setting. From a young age, we're taught to fit into pre-determined moulds, guided by societal norms and school systems that emphasize uniformity over individuality. But what happens when we challenge these norms? What happens when we choose to live differently, like opting for home education?

Conformity as a Weapon

Conformity can be a subtle yet powerful force, shaping our beliefs and behaviours. In schools, we're often taught that success is measured by attendance, grades, and standardized achievements. This message is reinforced through various forms of propaganda, subtly suggesting that deviation from this path is not only unusual but undesirable - that it makes you less than in some way, less educated, less socialised, less acceptable. As a result, communities become weaponized against one another, judging and criticizing those who dare to choose a different path in any way to the norm, whether thats how they dress, who they choose to marry, what car they drive and how they choose to educate their children.

The Role of Propaganda in Schooling

The school system plays a significant role in perpetuating the idea that traditional education is the only legitimate form of learning. We're bombarded with messages on TV, radio, newspapers, social media, in conversations with neighbours....our family and friends, about the importance of school attendance, grades, and conformity to a set curriculum - about how our children should be behaving, what indicates intelligence, how kind, well put together, people pleasing they are. We are taught to endlessly compare and contrast ourselves with each other, the measuring stick was made by some mysterious figure, nobody knows who and most of us don't measure up - but we hardly ever question the measuring stick. We are taught to go inwards and question ourselves, our weaknesses, our flaws, what we aren't doing well enough.

Curiosity, inspiration, rest, play and the fulfillment of literal human purpose often take a back seat to these rigid standards. This narrow view of education can blind us to alternative options, such as home education, which remains a natural human right, perfectly legal and viable but often unknown until we face challenges within the system.

Rediscovering Authenticity and Human-ness

As adults, we deserve more than a life of conformity. We deserve to experience authenticity, to love ourselves as we are, and to enjoy our human-ness. Embracing a life that aligns with our values and beliefs, free from societal expectations, that allows us to live more fulfilled and meaningful lives. Home education can be a path to this authenticity, offering a learner-centered approach that prioritizes individual needs and passions over standardized metrics.

Choosing a Different Path

Choosing to home educate is not just an educational decision; it's a lifestyle choice that challenges societal norms and expectations. It requires courage to step away from the conventional path and embrace a more personalized approach to learning. By doing so, we not only provide our children with a tailored education but also model the importance of living authentically and embracing our unique human experiences.

Conclusion

Breaking free from the toxicity of conformity is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. It's about questioning the status quo and choosing a path that aligns with our true selves. As we embrace home education and other alternative lifestyles, we pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse society where individuality is celebrated, not suppressed.

I want you feeling fired up, because it is only when we feel fired up that we make a change.

If this blog post has moved you I want you in my DM's, right now! This is the moment that allows you to shift your whole being from a place of frustrated, fed up, self criticising sadness to a place of empowered joy. 

Take action, reach out!

About the Author

I am Kelly, am ADHD, home educating parent of 2 neurodiverse children. I coach parents on how to transform their OWN journey within home education to embrace their own joy and find a balance that means they can keep their cool, have space, hobbies, boundaries, and banish limiting beliefs that cause them to burn out home educating their kids time and again!

If you would love to work together, you can reach out via my work with me page—or find out more about my story here.