It's been a while since I addressed this topic and I really did not finish it last time. I was talking about questions I have been asked about how long we will continue to homeschool and the things my children are supposedly missing out on. The last one was The Prom. I should put them into public school, surely by high school (!), so that they can attend The Prom! Being exposed to drugs, swearing, violence, sexual pressure and secular humanism (for 4 years) is a small price to pay for a fancy dinner out and a dance afterwards! And the prom itself is often characterized by drinking and promiscuity on that special night. If not, why all the be-safe, after prom parties organized by concerned parents?

Let me just say first, I would never base my the important decision of how my children will be educated on a "dance". And to be honest, that's all it is, a dance. Now to be sure, it is a wonderful experience for many people, (mine was...eh.) but I truly believe the whole thing is overblown. It's one night for pete's sake. Will my girls be permanently scarred if they miss it? Will there be no other special evenings in their lives? I certainly believe there will be! I must interject here also, that a special evening for junior and senior homeschool students is held each year. Formal attire. A wonderful meal in a lovely, sophisticated setting. Warm fellowship. A gracious induction into the "adult" type social. (not that I ever go to anything formal nowadays! I think most folks don't regularly...) And should they be invited to a prom at a public school, perhaps we would allow it, based on the escort and the situation. But put them into school so that they don't miss out on this supposedly irreplaceable right of passage? That is hardly a valid reason.

Originally published 5/26/2005