I think there's a confusion of goals that has become so embedded in our thinking (after almost 200 years of public schools) that we have a hard time imagining alternatives. Unschooling at its core seeks to teach children how to learn on their own, which is more valuable over a person's lifetime than any subject or class they might take in school. Unfortunately self-directed learning, curiosity, and critical thinking interfere with the program of formal compulsory schooling, and we can see the results all around us, every day.
As a parent of three I viewed my main responsibilities as making sure they survived into adulthood, and grew into self-sufficient productive adults. Part of self-sufficiency is taking responsibility for yourself, not relying on parents or schools or government to decide everything for you and solve all of your problems. Taking responsibility for yourself also means having the confidence and skill to learn something on your own, which may involve tutors, mentors, classes, practice, but the key skill is the ability to learn something on your own rather than believing formal schooling is the only way to learn something.
The goal of public school comes down mainly to enforcing conformity. That happens through standardized curriculum, regimented classrooms sorted by age, rigid rules, clocks, tests, grades. That process may also educate children but that's almost more of a side-effect. We've all had standout teachers who actually engaged us and taught us something, but they stand out in our memories because they are the exceptions. Imagine having access to many more adults and older children who could give that experience. That's what unschooling is about.
Homeschooling can and does fail for some kids. As a long-time participant in the "homeschooling community" I saw the failures mainly resulting from parents trying to brainwash their kids or actively keep them away from ("safe" from) the "real world," often for religious reasons. Public schools also can and often do fail, both in terms of providing a useful education and in terms of enforcing conformity and obedience. Nothing is perfect, but it doesn't make sense to limit your choices, or your child's opportunities, out of a misplaced loyalty or blind belief in public schools, their mission, their competency, on the off-chance your child will get nothing but great teachers.
As a parent of three I viewed my main responsibilities as making sure they survived into adulthood, and grew into self-sufficient productive adults. Part of self-sufficiency is taking responsibility for yourself, not relying on parents or schools or government to decide everything for you and solve all of your problems. Taking responsibility for yourself also means having the confidence and skill to learn something on your own, which may involve tutors, mentors, classes, practice, but the key skill is the ability to learn something on your own rather than believing formal schooling is the only way to learn something.
The goal of public school comes down mainly to enforcing conformity. That happens through standardized curriculum, regimented classrooms sorted by age, rigid rules, clocks, tests, grades. That process may also educate children but that's almost more of a side-effect. We've all had standout teachers who actually engaged us and taught us something, but they stand out in our memories because they are the exceptions. Imagine having access to many more adults and older children who could give that experience. That's what unschooling is about.
Homeschooling can and does fail for some kids. As a long-time participant in the "homeschooling community" I saw the failures mainly resulting from parents trying to brainwash their kids or actively keep them away from ("safe" from) the "real world," often for religious reasons. Public schools also can and often do fail, both in terms of providing a useful education and in terms of enforcing conformity and obedience. Nothing is perfect, but it doesn't make sense to limit your choices, or your child's opportunities, out of a misplaced loyalty or blind belief in public schools, their mission, their competency, on the off-chance your child will get nothing but great teachers.