Hey everybody, I'm kind of new posting here, so first of i just want to introduce myself and say hello.  This topic interests me some, but just like many people, I have my doubts about its' credibility.    The first concern I have is teacher credentials.  I am part of a family of 3 teachers and understand the process that goes into becoming a teacher quite well.  Years of determination, practice and ongoing learning are required to perfect the skill of teaching.  For people to simply come up and say they are able to teach their own children without the proper training and education worries me.  What kind of experience do you have to make up for the credentials required of state approved teachers?  If that is in place, fine, start teaching.   Besides the academic aspect of the school system, the social aspect is just as if not more important.  There is really only so much a child can learn from books.  Group activities, social networking and  peer to peer interaction are such valuable tools in today's society that I could not imagine someone being neglected of it.  I do understand when teenagers especially voice their freedom and talk about how their skills are not being met, but that is just an excuse for laziness.  There are several options for students to exercise their skills if they feel underachieved.   I just find conventional schooling to be such a powerful tool for young people that home schooling just sounds so limited.  Sure there are temptations such as drugs and violence, but as long as parents raise their children to be smarter than the people who pressure them into it, they would be fine.  It makes them stronger individuals in the long run.  If anyone thinks I am wrong in what I have said, I would love to hear your opinion.