Publication Date

2004

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Rose, Amy D.

Degree Name

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education

LCSH

Children of military personnel--Education; Home schooling; Families of military personnel

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons why military parents decide to homeschool their children, the types of formal and informal supports that military parents find helpful, and the role that homeschooling plays in the adaptation of military families. The researcher invited military parents to participate in the study by posting a letter on several military homeschooling message boards and by contacting military homeschool support group leaders. Twenty-five military parents volunteered to participate in structured telephone interviews that addressed the research questions. The researcher followed up and maintained contact with the participants via email. The data was then analyzed and presented in a format in which the findings were interwoven with relevant literature. This group of military parents, while motivated to homeschool their children for reasons previously identified in the literature, were also motivated to homeschool their children by their lifestyle. The transient nature of the military as well as the stresses associated with military life strongly influenced the parents' decisions. While the military parents indicated that religion was not a strong motivational factor, religion played a significant role in the parents decision-making process. The military parents had traditional views of family, and those views were reflected in the importance the parents placed on family relationships. Because of frequent moves and separations from the active duty military member, the military families valued time together and considered family time more important than time spent on academic endeavors. Technology proved to be an important source of support in the military parents social and informational networks; the internet and e-mail provided contact with other military families and homeschoolers throughout the world. Whereas the military families were distrustful of the military's involvement in their educational practices, they had few connections to local schools and civilian communities and often received much of their support from those within the military community. In fact, the military parents ultimately wanted the military to recognize homeschooling as a viable educational option and they offered a variety of suggestions as to how the military could increase its awareness of this educational practice.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [219]-228).

Extent

viii, 240 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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