Radical Unschooling Is Natural

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Unschooling-Revolution-Has-Begun-Revised/dp/1460939980

Annie Reiner, Psychology, '19

Radical unschooling is an upcoming revolution to learning. I luckily came across this term during my first self-directed learning project which involved reading the book "Teach Your Own," by John Holt. Through discovering more and more about radical unschooling, I have come to learn what it is all about and see why parents are implementing this into their homes.                                                                         

Radical unschooling is a new approach to learning that emphasizes a
trusting relationship between the parent and child, and gives the child
autonomy. As Dayna Martin asserts in her book, Radical
Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun, “Radical unschooling is passion-
driven learning” (Martin, 1). It is a unique and revolutionary approach to learning
as embedded in its name. Overall, there are many things that differentiate radical
unschooling not only from traditional schooling but also from the common
conception of teaching and raising a child.

Although radical unschooling seemed crazy and implausible to me at first glance,

and it is completely acceptable and understanding for people to feel this way,

I promise that if you give this approach a chance you will begin to realize the
logic behind it and that it aligns with innate human tendencies.

For example, Martin says, “Having children live in a classroom seven hours a day

is very unnatural and affects their ability to connect with others who are not their

own age. It actually disturbs the way humans are meant to socialize by nature”

(Martin, 11). I can very much understand this on a personal level. Up until

recently, I perceived of adults as people who I could not connect with or be

myself around. I agree that if I was homeschooled I would have had a much

different perspective on befriending people who are not my age, particularly

adults. Therefore, conventional educational models make children decide

which group of individuals are socially acceptable to befriend and spend time

with, when in reality it is a natural human tendency to connect with people

based on other criteria, such as common interests or simply enjoying time

with one another. Also, children are meant to be active and want to be active. It

makes sense that students are acting out so much and “misbehaving” in school.

They are literally being forced to behave in ways against their will -- children go

to school everyday not because they want to but because their parents are telling
them it is the right thing to do.

Another reason why radical unschooling is natural is because it allows people to do

things they want to do, as opposed to things they believe they should do. Children

are given the freedom to satisfy their own intellectual needs, without feeling like

they are doing this for someone else. For example, in discussing how she goes

about this in practice, Martin says, “External motivation isn’t necessary, neither

are incentives or rewards. Children learn because they want to, not because they

want to please anyone” (Martin, 61). You will be stunned by how much your child
is capable of if you give them the ability to explore the world on their own.

Source: http://www.perfectlycreatedchaos.com/2015/04/5-reasons-its-ok-to-trust-your-child.html

A third reason why unschooling is natural is because it involves trust between the

parent and child. According to Erik Erikson, starting from a very young age,

individuals must be able to trust that their caregivers will meet their personal

needs, from providing food, to giving comfort when necessary. Otherwise,

mistrust can develop and lead to severe problems in the long run. Within

this intensely trusting relationship, it makes sense that the parent should

be able to trust the child as well! What good is a one sided relationship,

even if one of the parties is getting full benefits. It seems natural that both

the child should trust the parent, and the parent should trust the child.

Overall, radical unschooling seems to be much more natural than learning which

we have become so accustomed to -- children sitting in desks as the

teacher stands at the front of the room and writes facts on a chalkboard.

Radical unschooling is not only beneficial to the child but is also something that
the child is literally programmed to do -- the child is born with a desire and ability
to explore the world to their own satisfaction. Helicopter parenting is becoming
more and more popular which is confusing considering it actually impedes a
child’s development. A parent may feel that they are helping a child by being
protective, but in reality this is putting the child in danger in the future. Overall,
I strongly believe that people should at least consider and look into radical
unschooling before jumping to conclusions that it is an insane and impossible feat.
Although it seems overwhelming and extremely different from what we are
familiarized with, it is something that is worth taking into account. There are many
books and people out there to use as references and support, and you will feel
like it was all worth it in the end!