Teaching children at home is called homeschooling. Until recently, it was mostly limited to remote communities or to groups that preferred to avoid mainstream society. A lack of teaching materials and educational resources for homeschooling made it impractical for most families. Today, however, homeschooling resources are widely available, making homeschooling an excellent option for many families.
Homeschooling appeals to parents for several reasons. First, parents can choose their children's teaching materials and schedules. Parents may not like their local school's textbooks, or they may want their children to study more science or other subjects. Many young actors and athletes are homeschooled, giving them time to pursue their careers. Second, families living overseas or that travel frequently can give their children a more stable family life through homeschooling. Finally, thanks to the Internet, parents can easily access teaching resources, such as study guides, practice tests, and videos.
Most educators, however, oppose homeschooling. They say that homeschooled students do not interact with other children, especially those from different backgrounds. Although homeschooled students do often study alone, they are also more involved in their communities, more likely to vote, and are happier and less bored than their peers in traditional schools.