Is the world too safe (at least in America)?

Last time we explored Is Homeschooling Dangerous. This got me thinking about the word dangerous – a danger – the possibility of being hurt.

We were, of course, speaking about ideas last time. How can an idea hurt? It might cause us to hurt ourselves if acted upon. If I decide that gravity is bunk and jump off a building for example. It may cause me to head in a poor direction or associate with a “bad” crowd. Ideas – acted upon – can cause grief. The root of the danger comes from the action – acted upon. No action – very little danger.

As a general observation, we don’t want to go down the wrong path or cause ourselves any grief. We protest if something bad does happen. We want to be able to map out life in a straight path – one that is safe. One without mistakes. We want life on rails. A train can’t go except where the rails are and have been deemed “safe”. We do want pretend danger – like a roller coaster, but that’s on rails also. This has the effect of making everyone’s experience in life approach sameness and without risk.

I would submit that we truly learn who we are when we take risks – face fears. What is the real result? Is it the end of the line? Could we die? Sure if the real danger is not there, then there is no real risk and we know it inside. Most often the real result is that we then have to readjust our plans and maybe lost some time. Was that time wasted? I think not. I think in facing real danger, we build confidence and learn courage. If we never face a fear or take a risk we become hollow, sheltered, and afraid. We learn in that time we headed off to the risk and that makes it worth it – whether the risk succeeds or not.

Let me give you some examples.

Horseback riding. My daughter just started taking riding lessons (not as fancy as that sounds). Here is this petite child on the back of a huge ball of muscle. She was so scared that all she could do was nod to the teacher. But, she did it. You should have seen the gleam in her eyes. She has ridden ponies at parties and even been on a trail ride. This was different. This horse was all hers to control. It was not on rails.

Sailing. I can’t tell you how many people think sailors are nuts. They think that taking a small boat out of sight of shore is the sign of absolute craziness. The sailors will tell you that out there is when they feel most alive – when their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts pull together in unity. Why? Because the ocean is a real danger and they are risking their life – not being stupid – but pursuing a passion.

Do we do the same with education – like college – we all go so knowing it won’t get us ahead but “they” don’t either. Everyone the same. Taking an alternate path may be brilliant or maybe fail totally. Which will you choose?  What if the alternate path does fail? Is there a mark in life that says you have to be somewhere at such and such an age. Is failure permanent?

Are we killing genius? Imagine Einstein on Ritalin. He was a behavior problem that failed math. Watch the movie “A Beautiful Mind” about John Forbes Nash, Jr. The movie is for entertainment and not completely historically accurate, but does hit the important points. Mr. Nash received a Nobel Laureate in Economics for his theories. He didn’t attend lectures while at college and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He refused drugs saying he would not have thought differently to come up with his ideas if not also deemed “crazy” because he doesn’t think like everyone else. Maybe we have to embrace people who are different and choose different paths. Real diversity versus political correct diversity (That’s a mine field so leave it at that).

If you homeschool, then you have already taken a risk – one that is calculated, mitigated, and worth it. You have chosen to try something other than the “norm”.  Here is a question for you. Do you build a wall around your home out of fear? Or, do you allow your children to explore the world, bit by calculated bit, even though it is dangerous?  Do you allow your child to think differently? Do you allow them to follow their passions like the sailors? Institutions, regardless of type, are really good at ensuring everyone “inside” is the same and good at correcting deviations. If we, who have chosen the less traveled path don’t allow our children to be “different” and pursue their passion – who will?