Is “unschooling” responsible parenting?

The latest TikTok rage bait is the “unschooling trend,” a homeschooling method that relies on child-directed learning without a formal academic curriculum. Comments on videos from “unschooling” proponents accuse them of neglect, abuse, and stupidity. But is unschooling really that bad?

Unschooling parents tend to be self-employed, anti-establishment figures who view public schooling as systematically problematic. It differs from homeschooling due to the absence of a schedule or curriculum, placing learning in the hands of the children and their natural interests. Reminiscent of the Montessori education model, unschooling aims to expose children to a wide variety of experiences, mediums, and ideas, giving them “ownership” of their education.

There is no exclusively Biblical way to educate our children—only the responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go.” (Proverbs 22:6). Unschooling doesn’t appear to depart from that directive and Christian parents have the freedom of conviction and choice when it comes to how they educate their children.

Many unschooling parents have valid concerns. For example, every child and family represents different needs, which is why many have scorned public schools in recent years. Public schools rely on the same curriculum, learning models, and testing methods for all students. Increasingly, in recent years, public schools have also become bastions of progressive indoctrination on issues of race, sexuality, and more.

Many parents—I include myself here—understandably resist public school norms, worried our children are prepped to be workers, not thinkers; doers, not dreamers; siloed, not versatile. Furthermore, data proves that—despite millions of dollars dumped into public education each year—success rates have declined for decades, especially for marginalized students.

The number of homeschoolers has nearly doubled since 2019, and private school enrollment continues to rise. Parents are hungry for options and distrustful of public education systems that prioritize politics, teachers unions, and the status quo over diverse student needs.

But why opt for unschooling instead of just homeschooling? At face value, unschooling seems unserious and unwise, but it’s also unclearly defined and unique to each family’s experience—highly dependent on the attentiveness of parents and the temperament of children.

What many call “unschooling” may actually be creative homeschooling by another name. For example, an unschooling family may have no official reading curriculum, but they regularly visit the library, use apps like ABC Mouse, and read together as a family.

Birdie, an unschooling mom with a master’s degree in child development, says the term carries bias and misunderstanding because people believe it to mean “not educating.”

“Unfortunately, this myth has been used by families practicing educational neglect,” she said, adding that it is sometimes easier to say “child-led homeschooling” to avoid confusion.

That said, it’s crucial that parents be intentional and educated about the tenets of unschooling before diving in headfirst and claiming the label. Unschooling is an actual educational philosophy, with academic thinkers, annual conferences, books, and even an academic journal.

Educational neglect is the most prevalent concern among outsiders. When practiced effectively, however, unschooling can be an all-encompassing time commitment requiring a parent’s participation to cultivate diverse experiences, opportunities, and challenges. If parents understand the philosophy and are devoted to their child’s learning, unschooling could be a good option for some families.

It’s essential for unschoolers to have access to plenty of naturally enriching educational opportunities within a community. Thriving public libraries, state parks, museums, aquariums, bodies of water, travel opportunities, and regular community engagement are key components of the experience.

While there’s little segmented data about “unschooling” specifically, many students do go on to college and lead successful lives. The truth is, that location and individual, family, community, and support systems can help parents determine if unschooling is a good fit for their family. Whether you call it “unschooling” or “homeschooling,” involved parents committed to fostering their child’s curiosity and zest for life will make all the difference.