Breaking Free from the Social Stigma of Homeschooling in the Philippines

Abstract

The social competencies of homeschooled students have long been a focal point of scrutiny within educational discourse. Many families remain apprehensive about adopting homeschooling due to prevalent misconceptions surrounding the practice. This apprehension often translates into a social stigma that becomes evident when homeschooled students reintegrate into conventional schooling environments. As a result, these students are frequently subjected to discrimination, stereotyping, and cyberbullying. This paper aims to explore the underlying reasons for the stigmatization of homeschooled students and proposes strategies for mitigating these challenges. It introduces a novel framework—the FIT-IN Framework—which seeks to facilitate the destigmatization process. The framework emphasizes proactive steps such as Finding solutions, Initiating interactions, and Taking opportunities, which are designed to foster Intentional socialization and cultivate New meaningful relationships. Establishing deep and sustained connections among homeschooling families, educational institutions, and the broader community is critical for facilitating smoother transitions for homeschooled students. This paper also underscores the necessity for further research into the efficacy of the FIT-IN Framework and its applicability to other socially stigmatized groups.