Deschooling as a Taboo Transgression: A Reconstructive Study of Justifications for the Familial Practice of Deschooling

The Freilerner social movement in Germany is under pressure to justify familial deschooling, and a reconstructive study explores the latent structures of meaning underlying the subjective crisis scenarios and ideal concepts of parents. Three types of justification are established: defending, charismatizing, and escaping. The study contributes to a more reflective discourse on alternative educational practices and pushes into a taboo zone of school pedagogy and educational research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2023
Publisher: Springer

The Freilerner movement, a social movement in Germany that advocates for familial deschooling, faces significant pressure to justify its practices. In response to this, a reconstructive study aims to uncover the underlying latent structures of meaning that underpin the subjective crisis scenarios surrounding children's schooling and parents' ideal concepts of education in the sense-giving justification of family deschooling.

Through empirical research, the study identifies three types of justification for familial deschooling: defending, charismatizing, and escaping. These categories shed light on the diverse perspectives and motivations behind the family's decision to pursue deschooling.

This study not only contributes to a more reflective discourse on alternative educational practices but also ventures into the taboo zone of school pedagogy and educational research in Germany. By examining the school as a historically consolidated institution but also recognizing its potential for innovation and adaptation to meet the unique learning needs of children and adolescents, the study challenges traditional notions of education and encourages a broader exploration of educational possibilities.

In conclusion, the Freilerner movement's advocacy for familial deschooling prompts a critical examination of the underlying structures of meaning and the diverse justifications for this practice. Through empirical research, the study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of alternative educational practices and challenges the boundaries of school pedagogy and research in Germany.

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783658398170
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023