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Features:Beyond Shelteringby Peter Storz |
Shelter:
1. To cover from violence, injury, annoyance or attack;
2. To defend; to protect from danger; to secure or render safe; to harbor;
3. To betake to cover or a safe place;
4. To cover from notice; to disguise for protection.
Fortress:
1. Any fortified place; a fort; a castle; a strong hold; a place of defense
or security;
2. Defense; safety; security.
Christian homeschoolers are frequently challenged, "You can't just keep your children sheltered!" One's inclination is to respond by asking "Why not?", and then explore the absurdity of the idea that homeschoolers isolate their children 24x7x52. Articles have been written to show that, done properly, sheltering is not only appropriate, but is the parents' duty. While not disagreeing with those authors, perhaps using a different word would better convey the meaning of what Homeschooling parents are trying to accomplish.
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At the top of this article of are definitions from Noah Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828 edition, of the verb, "shelter" and the noun, "fortress". While the meanings seem similar at first glance, there is an area of difference that is of interest for the purposes of this article. A shelter is a place of refuge, and may be temporary in character. A fortress is more permanent in character, and while being a place of refuge, it is itself defensible and suitable either as a base for counter-attack or to plan and stage an attack. Thus, I would like to propose that Christian homeschoolers respond to the challenge mentioned above that, rather than simply being a shelter for their children, their homeschool and family are a fortress. Our families should be safe places for our children when their encounters with the world are unpleasant or less than victorious. With our homeschooling, our families can combine the stable, enduring quality of a fortress with the opportunity to train and prepare our children for the moral and spiritual challenges they will face in life. Homeschooling during junior high and high school will enable the family-fortress to be a base for their children's early sorties into life - summer camps, scouts, babysitting, part-time jobs, and taking college classes. |
In summary, I think the fortress
concept communicates a more complete image of what homeschooling can accomplish
- to persons outside of the family - and can provide vision to the parents.
If you'd like to read some of Pete's other papers, see Pete's Podium.
Questions/Comments? E-mail Mary Leggewie
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