1. It costs to much...I have seven children and have home schooled all of them. Two have graduated from high school (Home schooled) and are productive members of society. I have spent up to $1000 a year total to school all of them (had five being schooled at a time so around $200 per schooled child). During that same time I have been paying around $1800 a year in school property tax. If we did not have the schools to pay for most could educate their children.
2. Both of us (mom and dad) need to work to pay the bills...they tell me this as they drink there $7 cup of coffee, go out to lunch on most work days, drive their new car that they just purchased, and show me their new 3000 square foot house that they built for themselves and their two children. Don't get me wrong...I like “stuff” as much as the next guy but we need to set the right priorities. My wife and I had decided that if we had children that we would live on one income so she could be home with the children. This did make it tough at times but it can be done...and now I probably have more stuff them most (seven children acquire a lot of stuff) :)
3. I want my children to experience school like I did...really, do they really not see what is happening in the schools? Even in small town America (where I live) we have major problems with drug use, sexual assault (high school teach arrested last year and a principle this year), and violence...nothing I want my kids to experience.
I could go on with more “reasons” that I have been told but most of the ones told me where excuses instead of reasons. Like I said, I can only speak to my own experiences and I am sure there are some that lack the resources...but it would not be the majority of Americans. It is in the majority of cases a matter of priorities... And I would say that the future of our children and our country should be a priority...please read "Clergy in the Classroom" by David A. Noebel or "Aim For The Children" by Daniel E. Johnson to understand my concern.
I understand your position...but there are many who are just making it by....and NOT drinking $7. coffee either. The first priority is to provide food and a roof over our childrens heads. For many it takes two incomes to do just that...and this with no frills. You own your home...many do not and rent.
So I will disagree that it’s possible for most to homeschool...it simply is not the reality of the world I see around my community and this nation.