Since the onset of the pandemic, homeschooling has seen a significant rise. Now, a distinct educational trend known as “unschooling” is gaining traction, stirring controversy and discussion online.
In June, spiritual influencer Mami Onami garnered attention for discussing unschooling, or “free schooling,” with her children in a viral TikTok video. “We don’t teach our children anything,” she stated. “They learn solely based on their own interests and questions.” Without a fixed curriculum or set school hours, Onami and her partner respond to their children’s inquiries whenever they arise, ensuring comprehension. While her approach has sparked criticism on social media regarding her parenting methods, she is part of a growing movement embracing this alternative approach to educating children.
What is unschooling exactly? Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology at Boston College and co-founder of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education, defines unschooling as a method where children are not subjected to a prescribed curriculum. Gray explains that this approach empowers children to direct their learning based on their natural curiosity. The concept encompasses various educational philosophies, with some unschooling families maintaining loose schedules and offering light guidance in subjects like reading and math, while others completely reject structured learning, allowing children to create their own educational paths. This lack of formal structure distinguishes unschooling from traditional homeschooling.
SEE ALSO: What is Value in Child Development?
The roots of unschooling trace back to the ideas of 18th-century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who advocated for children’s freedom to explore their interests. Coined in the 1970s by former school teacher and homeschooling advocate John Holt, the term “unschooling” gained newfound popularity during the pandemic, according to the New York Post. Searches for unschooling surged in 2020 and continued to rise in April 2024, driven by its trendiness on social media. While originally dominated by white conservative Christian families, the unschooling community has diversified, attracting families from various backgrounds, including Black families who view unschooling as a component of broader social and educational liberation.
Contrary to the misconception that only affluent families can afford alternative education, unschooling tends to appeal to families across the socioeconomic spectrum, often prioritizing values beyond material success. As Peter Gray notes, families choosing unschooling are less focused on conventional academic achievements and more concerned with holistic child development.
With public schools facing increased scrutiny during and after the pandemic, many are turning to alternative educational approaches. For unschooling advocate Akilah Richards, unschooling represents a social justice practice rooted in trust and anti-oppression. However, critics express concerns about the potential social isolation of unschooled children, a point acknowledged by Mami Onami, who sees it as a deliberate choice in response to perceived flaws in the traditional schooling system.
Yet, some experts caution that unschooling in isolated environments could further polarize societal divisions. Robert Kunzman, an education professor at Indiana University, raises questions about the role of public schools in preparing children for citizenship in a democratic society, questioning whether alternative education methods share this commitment.
In conclusion, while unschooling offers a radical departure from conventional education, its growing popularity underscores a broader reassessment of educational norms and values in contemporary society.