I'm still a bit young to be having kids, but I think about what I am going to do when I have kids all the time when it comes to education. From my own personal experience, the traditional American school system (particularly the public school system) really damaged me in so many ways. Not only did it not prepare me in any way for adulthood, but it robbed me of countless hours that I can never get back where I could have been developing skills and learning more about myself. It also made me incredibly resentful towards people in general due to the negative experiences I had with classmates and teachers and has led to psychological issues.

Sorry. I don't want to play victim or try to gain anyone's sympathies - we all of course have our own struggles; but, I just want people to understand that it is your duty as a parent to keep your children out of harmful environments when possible, and I can't think of an environment as harmful as a traditional school. At a critical point in a child's development, it fosters a blind adherence to authority, kills creativity and thoughtfulness, nurtures dependence on others, and takes the fun out of learning. Contrary to popular belief, I think it also often leads to "de"-socialization due to the lack of freedom of association involved in interaction with teachers and classmates, often leading to hostile social situations (such as bullying).

I am now 23 years old with a Masters Degree in Accounting and I haven't the slightest clue what it is that I want from life, but I know it wont be found doing the financial reporting for a Fortune 500 company. I feel as though I didn't get a chance as a kid to properly explore things and find out what it is that I truly love and now there isn't much I can do (at least for now).

To those reading this, take my post and the OP as inspiration to either homeschool your children or find a school (like a Waldorf school) that strays from the traditional authoritarian school structure.

Thanks for sharing OP!