Browsing by Subject "syyt"

Homeschooling in Finland is a rare phenomenon. This field of study hasn’t been researched widely in Finland, whereas extensive research has been conducted internationally. The reasons for parents to choose homeschooling are one of the most explored topics within the field. Information on their motives can be found in many countries where homeschooling has been researched. This thesis is a descriptive literature review, it explores the homeschooling phenomenon in Finland and abroad – mainly in the USA – and examines motives for parents choosing homeschooling. The theoretical background of the topic was researched by reviewing Finnish and foreign source materials, including literature and articles. The material and the source literature were collected from a selection of literary works and electronic University databases. Homeschooling is an alternative learning method that takes place outside the public or private school environment, usually at home. Parents who homeschool have primary responsibility for monitoring the child's learning. This method of education has increased legitimacy around the world at the same time as the spectrum of families has become more diverse. The reasons for teaching children at home can be categorized in several ways. In this thesis I used the following division to describe the parents' motives: religious reasons, academic reasons, social and environmental perspectives, and family reasons. In addition to the child, the parents and the school, social factors, such as legislation and educational systems must be considered when deciding to homeschool. This is also why the differences between countries can be vast. The thesis found that due to the scope of the topic, the generalization of the results, especially in the context of Finland, should be done with caution. Further studies on the Finnish homeschool phenomenon and the parents' motives to choose homeschooling should be conducted.