If we care about freedom, we should reject compulsory schooling. A relic of 19th-century industrial America, compulsory schooling statutes reduced the broad and noble goal of an educated citizenry into a one-size-fits-all system of state-controlled mass schooling that persists today.
Tag: unschooling
Episode 079 – Unschooled Faber Brothers’ Journey (1h37m)
Episode 079 welcomes Justin and Joshua Faber to the podcast to chat with Skyler and Morgan. The Faber Brothers, and several other siblings, grew up as de facto unschoolers, without ever knowing that term. Topics include: their large family, their Facebook video series titled All This with Aldous created with Morgan, growing up unschooling, their experience learning to read, being free range on several acres of forest, going to high school and the surreality of schooling, why school is prison, the origins of their voluntaryist political beliefs, the US Constitution, and much, much more.
Arbitrary Wagon Wheel Education
Have you ever asked yourself why children are compelled to attend some kind of school – including home education – for exactly 180 days per year, and study particular state-mandated subjects, and blah blah blah?
Incentives or Imposed Instruction?
On the one hand, you believe it’s not from the benevolence of the butcher that we get our meat, but by his regard to his self-interest in a market context. On the other hand, you believe that children have no regard for their self-interest and do not respond to market incentives so must be forced and directed to do what’s good for them and by extension society.
Non-Aggression Parenting 004 – Kids are Born Anarchists (6m)
Non-Aggression Parenting 004, “Kids enter this world not knowing authority, laws, taxes, or regulations. Their true nature abhors such spiritual restrictions. They are endowed with abundant curiosity for the unknown and a profound fascination for the simple. Their mind knows no bounds. All is possible.”
Schooling is Not Inevitable
As back-to-school time approaches and articles swarm on how to make the transition to September easier and more successful, maybe it’s worth pausing to ask: If something is so unpleasant for so many of us, why are we doing it?
Homeschooling Can Be Tough Sometimes
In a span of 24 hours this week, I heard from two homeschooling moms threatening to send their kids to school. First, was a text with “I can’t do this!” Next, was a conversation with a mom who wants to send her child back to school and catch a break. Both moms were feeling frustrated, tired, and uncertain. Both were feeling that school would be easier, better; yet knowing deeply that isn’t true. Both were feeling what we all feel sometimes.
Putting Principle above Party, People, and the Past
When I put principle first, I’m better able to judge the compatibility of parties, people, and the past with what I believe in. And when my understanding of those things change, it’s easier to move on. I’m also less likely to be fooled and subsequently betrayed.
Episode 077 – Jordan’s Journey (1h11m)
Episode 077 welcomes Jordan Vaughn Neal to the podcast to chat with Skyler about his journey to voluntaryism. Topics include: golf, the anarchy in cooperative games, Facebook discussions/debates, being Canadian and dual citizenship, public school in Canada, his parents’ careers, moving to the United States, complete disinterest in high school, LDS mission to East Germany and the libertarian seeds that were planted, his passion for computer science and programming, a Society Security law firm job he held, Stefan Molyneux’ influence on his libertarianism and peaceful parenting, the War on Drugs, overcoming biases, subjective theory of value and economic thinking, and his wife and his commitment to radical unschooling.
The Data Don’t Matter
My kids have some clear challenges and opportunities because of their digital immersion. None of those changed because someone did some research. My kids’ unique screen time pros/cons existed before I read stats from a study, and they exist after.