An Exploratory Study of Homeschooling in Kansas

Abstract

Personal interviews with a nonrandom sample of four current or former homeschooling mothers indicated that these mothers were homeschooling to avoid what they perceived as negative social or academic aspects of public schools and to promote closer family interaction. While the families appeared to be divided along traditional gender-role assignments, fathers were responsible for at least one of the children's subjects, usually science, religion, or physical education. While all the mothers saw time management and household organization as a stressful challenge, support from their husbands and homeschooling-support groups was critical in dealing effectively with the stresses of homeschooling.