In recent years, homeschooling in the United States has been experiencing a true boom. In this context, a recently published study conducted by Harvard researchers — Brendan Case and Ling Chen — takes on particular significance, shedding new light on the outcomes of students who were homeschooled after completing their education.

In an article published in The Wall Street Journal, titled “What Home-Schoolers Are Doing Right”, the researchers challenge common stereotypes about homeschooled children — such as lacking social skills or having a lower level of education. Their findings stand in clear contrast to earlier statements by Professor Elizabeth Bartholet of Harvard Law School, who in 2020 called for stricter regulations on homeschooling.

Data collected from over 12,000 children between 1999 and 2010 shows that homeschooled students grow into responsible, socially engaged, and well-adjusted adults. Compared to public school graduates, they were 33% more likely to volunteer, 31% more empathetic, and 51% more likely to attend religious services.

The researchers emphasize that regular participation in religious practices is associated with significantly lower risks of addiction, depression, and suicide. For this reason, they argue, homeschooling may have a positive impact on public health.

These findings confirm earlier analyses conducted by the National Home Education Research Institute, which, based on 45 peer-reviewed studies, concluded that homeschool graduates typically score higher in terms of psychological, emotional, and social development.

Importantly, the research shows that homeschooled students are not isolated — they regularly take part in field trips, sports, volunteer work, scouting, and church activities.

According to the study’s authors, the differences between homeschooled students and those in public schools may be even greater today than they were in 2010. Over the past decade, rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among teenagers have noticeably increased — a trend the researchers link to widespread smartphone use. Parents who choose homeschooling often cite concern for safety and negative influences in schools as key reasons, which may help protect their children from the contemporary problems facing today’s youth

Source: What Home-Schoolers Are Doing Right – WSJ