I work at a local grocery store. The other day, a young boy came in. He is about 9 years old with very long, unkempt blonde hair. He always is wearing the same shirt and pants. He smells of urine and cat feces. This boy lives two blocks away from the store in the government subsidized housing units. He lives with his mom and two half brothers. His father is in the federal penitentiary.
He came in on Tuesday to buy a few donuts and a litre of Root beer. When asked why he wasn't in school, he answered "I'm homeschooled." He proceeded to describe the water filtration experiment he was going to be doing to do with the bottle of Root beer.
This boy is bright and charming and articulate and curious about the world in general. He would definitely be the subject of ridicule and scorn if he attended the local grade school.
But, his mother is not the brightest crayon in the box. She frequently has trouble understanding the uses of her food stamp card. This child is, while not criminally neglected, definitely not in the most supportive and loving of homes. It isn't just poverty that is the issue. (although, the ability to purchase laundry detergent and soap is not available to people who have no income other than government assistance.)
So, what about this? What can be done for this child? Home schooling enables many inquisitive children the opportunity to learn without the stigma of peer pressure. But, for this child, is it a benefit or a curse? How will the lack of adult mentors affect this child? Should someone step in? And if so, who, how and when?
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