Jared Smith asked Adam T. Calvert:

I haven't read your book yet so I apologize if you've answered this there. What do you believe is the cause for the rise in popularity of homeschooling in the recent decades?

Adam T. Calvert No need to apologize, even if I did address it in the book (although I didn't).

I know some would say school violence or maybe even school morality would play a part in it. And I think it does, but probably not the largest part.

I can't say with absolute certainty (other than God has ordained it). But the means by which it has come to pass, I would guess started in the '70s/'80s when men like R.J. Rushdoony were fighting for peoples' rights to educate their children from a Christian worldview in their own homes.

One state after another loosened up the laws, and as that happened, the great minds of curriculum makers started to see the need and the market for various materials.

In the '80s there were not very many options as far as homeschooling curriculum. Today you can go to a three-day homeschool conference and still not have enough time to visit all the vendors and get a full grasp of the various curriculum programs they have to offer.

Of course, while I'm very grateful for the curriculum choices that are available to us all now, I'd still very much like to think that the main reason for the growth is because Christian parents are more and more being awakened by the Spirit to see the need to disciple their children as the Scripture commands - teaching them day in and day out to know the Lord and His commands, including having dominion over the earth He created for us.

But these are all just guesses on my part. It's a great question though. One that is definitely worth exploring more. If you do, please share your findings with me, as I'll do the same.

Thanks for asking!

flag