Survey: Homeschooled Adults are More Religious and Less Anxious

A Cardus Education Survey report examined educational, economic, mental health, civic, family, and faith outcomes for American adults who were homeschooled. The survey results should encourage homeschooling parents to continue their quests to educate their children at home.

Anna Kaladish Reynolds wrote about the survey results in an article published in The Federalist website.

Horror stories abound about the parents of Gen Z showing up to their adult children’s job interviews. It’s hard not to think there is no hope for the anxious generation who can’t talk to a potential employer without mom or dad. You may, however, have recently met a rare competent, put-together young adult who could make eye contact, give a firm handshake, and make pleasant conversation. Far from the stereotypes of yesteryear, chances are that well-adjusted young adult was homeschooled.

The study shows improved mental health outcomes among adults who were homeschooled compared to their peers who were never homeschooled. In an epidemic of mental health issues among teens and young adults, this is an important finding that warrants more investigation. While leftists continue fearmongering about the imagined dangers of homeschooling, the results show that homeschoolers are a success in some of the ways that matter most.

Homeschooling moms face daily challenges as they oversee, plan and teach kids at different ages and different academic subjects. Yet these moms (and dads) get to watch their children learn and achieve over the years. The survey uncovered that this improves the mental health of homeschooling students in their 20's and 30's.

Happy, Faithful, and Diverse

The most notable differences between homeschoolers and the survey respondents who were never homeschooled are seen in the mental health outcomes. The report states, “Compared to the other respondent groups, long-term homeschoolers exhibited the highest levels of optimism, gratitude, and life satisfaction. Long-term homeschoolers were also the least likely to ‘feel helpless dealing with life’s problems’ and to report symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.”

In the area of spirituality and faith, the report found: “Homeschooled adults were much more likely to report that they believed in God and life after death and regularly engaged in religious practices. The prevalence of religious belief and practice increased with the number of years spent in the homeschool sector.”

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Anna Kaladish Reynolds is a wife and mother in the great state of Texas. She writes at InspireVirtue.com and is interested in books and living the examined life.

Categories: : homeschooling