gordsellar’s avatargordsellar’s Twitter Archive—№ 9,212

            1. Book 10: Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment. Very accessible book about the how of homeschooling, but especially the why. I found it compassionate, unusually respectful of kids as people, insightful. Not perfect, but a worthwhile read. #2021books
              oh my god twitter doesn’t include alt text from images in their API
          1. …in reply to @gordsellar
            Which is not to say the book doesn't have its issues. She insists homeschooling is possible for everyone, but there's still a lot that *feels* suburban upper-middle class. (The mention of a family trip to London to visit the Globe Theater because Shakespeare comes to mind.)
        1. …in reply to @gordsellar
          Like, there are economic issues beyond the scope of the book, but... that's because the scope of the book (and presumably the movement) choose not to recognize them front and center. Which helps keep homeschooling from really being for everyone.
      1. …in reply to @gordsellar
        I am not really that familiar with the movement being promoted in the book, mind you; and I still liked some of the ideas in the book. But... it felt "apolitical" in a way that was *not actually* apolitical at all. Maybe there's more thought on this in their forums or whatever.
    1. …in reply to @gordsellar
      I also feel like the "Wild + Free mamas" terminology is more about building a brand identification (mostly white, mostly privileged moms) than celebrating insights of parents (women and men) in the thick of homeschooling instead of just the (yes, often male) "academic experts."
  1. …in reply to @gordsellar
    But, you know, that's a small point. It's just, again: I'd think homeschooling would be a way to teach kids more sensible ideas about gender, and here the book kind of... entrenches some very conventional ideas about gender. Still worth a quick read, though.