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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be Gobsmacked that someone doesn't know who Nelson Mandela is?

91 replies

Skeptical · 24/03/2011 21:15

A very religious American lady was telling me all about how she has chosen to homeschool her children because she doesn't want them taught evolution. I was shocked enough by this, but then the conversation turned to history and what we are taught in English scools. I described how a big part of my GCSE's was about South African history and especially Nelson Mandela. Her response was "yes he was a great example of Englishness, oh you guys have done so much good in Africa"

I was completely shocked. I can't believe that someone doesn't know who he is and his history! It's even more alarming because this woman is homeschooling not only her own children but several others as well.

AIBU to think people who homeschool their children should do some sort of test to actually prove they know what they are on about?

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 24/03/2011 21:18

Bit of a generalisation to assume all home schoolers are ignorant.

This is one ignorant woman.

Original poster
Skeptical · 24/03/2011 21:35

Oh I have no problem with home schooling, what I do have a problem with is an ignorant woman passing on ignorance to her children, and they have no education to realise that they are being taught ignorance IYSWIM.

I don't believe for a second that all homeschoolers are like this, I just think there should be some sort of system so children are subjected to this kind of thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Skeptical · 24/03/2011 21:36
  • aren't even!
OP posts:
LadyOfTheManor · 24/03/2011 21:37

Yes it's a bit bizarre that she has no idea who he is.

But then, she might be able to dissect the atom. I bet you can't do that.

strandednomore · 24/03/2011 21:39

To be honest I have never really understood the home schooling system. Do home schoolers not get tested to prove they can teach at a certain level? And that they have a certain level of knowledge in ALL the relevant subjects - or that they can get someone with that level of knowledge to teach their children? Otherwise isn't it a bit unfair on the children, surely everyone deserves a decent education?

ObscureReference · 24/03/2011 21:40

Weeeellllll, YANBU as such

But how much do you know about, say, Ben10? I bet you most boys of that age would know the characters names, their traits etc and we wouldnt know one from the other.

i think to an extent, teaching is so much about leading...leading them in the right direction to get the knowledge they need. IYSWIM?

Someone more knowledgeable will probably be along shortly that understands what I am getting at and will phrase it much more eloquently!! I am a bit crap at explaining things! (one of the reasons I dont homeschool! Wink)

mamsnet · 24/03/2011 21:41

I think OP has a point, though.. And I know this is a very un MN opinion.. But I do think the state has a duty to vet the quality of what children are being taught. If tis woman has gaps in her general knowledge, I would be concerned.

Back off to chat now.. Cant be Weser to fight over it.

ObscureReference · 24/03/2011 21:42

Stranded - they can, and quite often do, get tutors for some subjects. There is no testing for the HS parents, no. And generally they wil lsit exams such as Alevels and GCSEs 'externally' so the students do get tested, yes.

Bogeyface · 24/03/2011 21:43

I bet she cant LOTM, creationists arent generally known for the scientific prowess :o

I see what you mean OP, anyone can homeschool but it is a concern that perhaps some simply arent in a position to be able to adequately teach what their children need to know. I am not talking about creationism verses evolution, but basic things like if the parent cant do maths then they arent going to be able to teach it to a child very well. Using teaching books are all very well but I do think that a teacher needs to meet certain requirements and that remains the same whether they are a professional teacher within the shool system or a home educator.

FlaminGreatGallah · 24/03/2011 21:46

It is depressing and reminds me of a novel I read in which a character bought a teen magazine with, "Free Nelson Mandela!" written on the cover and then complained that she didn't get one.

Bogeyface · 24/03/2011 21:46

I realise that alot of HE use tutors but they dont have to, and that leaves the child at risk of receiving a sub standard education if the parent will not or cannot accept their own limits.

Chil1234 · 24/03/2011 21:50

" this woman is homeschooling not only her own children but several others as well. "

If she teaches other children she's a 'school', surely? And should be judged on whatever criteria apply to a school. Maybe ignorance is her grand plan for her poor little charges. Hope she's still in America.... Hmm

ObscureReference · 24/03/2011 21:53

But if a parent chooses to HS then surely they would recognise they are a bit crap at, say, maths? Then they would say 'ok, I will outsource this bit' so my child gets a decent foundation of education.

Ok, well the good parents would! Then we get into the whole opting out of scool as I cant be arsed/ave something to hide parent debate and I just dont want to go there!

What I am saying is, I believe the majority of HSers, having chosen HSing would be clued up enough to have done their research on what was required and led the child to learn that in a way that suited the child best, and would also have the knowledge to know where they needed help to get their child there (if they did need help).

I think that HS ing is great for children whose parent believe the traditional mainstream school is not fit for their child. HSing is not an 'easy' option, in fact, sending your cild to school for hours on end would be far easier, so i think to take this option the parent would have to be fairly clued up in general anyway. Research is needed, planning is needed and evidence collected to prove to the LEA that your child is learning and improving. FAR easier to get someone else to do it!

Original poster
Skeptical · 24/03/2011 22:04

No I don't know thta much about Ben10 Obscure, but then Ben10 doesn't exactly have the same political and historical signficance as Nelson Mandela. I think my mind just boggled that an intelligent woman (she ran her own successful business so she couldn't be that thick) would think that Nelson Mandela was English! I would be shocked enough at that in itself but the fact that she homeschools just made me even more, well I guess, perplexed. We started talking about History because she said it was her favourite subject!

She was not using any tutors and in fact was acting as a tutor to other homeschooled children. TBH the whole community where she from was a bit like this, very little world political and historical knowledge, and a very firm belief in Creationism. I just find it sad that these views are being passed onto the children with no chance for them to really question it because they weren't receiving an education that would propose anything different.

OP posts:
mamsnet · 24/03/2011 22:05

From what I see on here, (because I live in Spain, where homeschooling is basically illegal) I imagine most people who home school their kids are enlightened and intelligent..

However, I did know of a case when I was living at home of a bible freak who home schooled for all the wrong reasons.. I happen to think that, even though this does not represent the majority, there should be controls in place to look out for this..

Original poster
Skeptical · 24/03/2011 22:06

Obscure totally agree with your last post, my point is that this woman wasn't clued up and and certainly hadn't done her research

OP posts:
blueemerald · 24/03/2011 22:09

Slight tangent: I took part in a work "pub quiz" at Xmas and this jerk was ranting about how happy he was that he wasn't interested in pop culture, that it is vapid, a waste of time, what have they done for us etc etc, all the while holding up one of the picture round pictures as an example.... A picture of Nelson Mandela. He also thought George Bush made the "I have a dream" speech :)

Chil1234 · 24/03/2011 22:11

She's not in the UK, though.... we are safe from this oddity? It sounds as though the unfortunate children of this community are being brainwashed rather than educated. If the subject matter is already narrow and made narrower by her own lack of understanding - and presumably unwillingness to check - then I'd say she was rather an unpleasant character. Sinister, even.

mamsnet · 24/03/2011 22:12

A 23 year old student of mine recently had never heard of Chernobyl.. And she has a degree..

Original poster
Skeptical · 24/03/2011 22:16

Thing is Chil, she seemed pleasant enough, but then they all did even they did hold very whacked out views on religion and had no idea about the rest of the world outside of the USA. And yes she still is in the USA where in my experience views like hers are much more tolerated than they are here.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 24/03/2011 22:22

Someone on MN was considering home schooling the other day and they couldn't even spell 'literacy.' It wasn't a typo either as she spelled it 'litteracy' twice.

poochela · 24/03/2011 23:03

#takes deep breath and plunges in complete with typos and poor grammar#

I home school my kids. AND we're Christians. But we do live in the real world and show our children that ours is not the only belief/culture and that we all have the freedom to believe what we want.

I'm also crap at maths but am learning along side my kids on that one.

#peeps through fingers at the approaching flames#

QuintessentialShadows · 24/03/2011 23:06

I have met two people in my life who does not know who Nelson Mandela is. Both of them were in their early twenties. One Polish, and one Norwegian, and neither had EVER heard about him during school.....
Try asking ANY person younger than 25, and see what the answer is. You might be surprised. Sad

(one of them is even married to a south african)

IhateMarlo · 25/03/2011 00:15

I work with someone who is educated to a Phd level, but thought that a sheep and a lamb were different species. This is only one example.. . .
We get a large number of uni students coming through our work place, and their general knowledge is Sad

But sadder is their lack of curiosity, me I hear a word or a situation I don't know about, I'll have a look on Google at the least, they don't as a rule.

I made a comment recently along the lines of 'well thats whats reported in the paper, who knows what the truth is' and was met with Shock, but it's in the paper.. .. . .

poopnscoop · 25/03/2011 01:08

Bogeyface 'I bet she cant LOTM, creationists arent generally known for the scientific prowess'

My brother home schools, he happens to be a creationist and has incredible scientific prowess... has 2 Masters degrees actually Grin ... oh the generalisations and misconceptions that some people spout Shock

Re Nelson Mandela... (I am South African)... I have come across people in England who do not know who he is... and am astounded. Many people are just not interested in things outside of their own life/country I guess?

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