Thoughts on Structure
It has been said that unschooling means doing away with structure. But all of us use structure. I would prefer to say that unschooling means doing away with structures that don’t fit, much in the same way as what one rejects shoes that don’t fit.
The problem in conventional schooling, is that the learner does not have the freedom to reject structures that don’t fit, but is forced to conform to them in much the same way as what young girls in Japanese society had their feet bound so that they would conform to the societal ideal of small footed women.
My children do not like rigid structures, and they have been encouraged to explore, to find, and to develop structures that fit, and to reject structures that make them feel uncomfortable. It is just like going shopping for a new pair of shoes. Shoes, after all, are structures. Julie Anne thought that she hated structure until we began to think about this, and then she realized that nothing could be further from the truth. What she hates is structures that don’t fit, and because she is an unconventional, highly original and creative kind of person, conventional structures just don’t fit. We wear shoes because they protect our feet, give comfort and warmth, and enable us to do things we would not otherwise be able to do, such as hiking in snow or over rocks, or going on pointe in a ballet class. Before I go off to the shops, I must have an idea of what it is that I want to buy—sandals, hiking boots, trainers… This knowledge will determine where I go, and what kind of shop I visit. There may be a colour preference, and a brand preference. This idea is based on personal preference, previous experience, research, advertising input, and the opinions of others. Then there is at least a rough idea of what size is needed. This size concept is based on what fitted before— I need the same size, or a size bigger than before if I am still growing. In cases where it is an entirely new kind of shoe, eg in the purchase of one’s first pair of ballet shoes, professional advice may be needed. Finally, some sort of decision needs to be made as regards budget—how much money shall I spend?
Shopping day comes, and I head for the shoe shop. Of course, I need to know where the shoe shops are before I depart! Once there, I investigate. Are there shoes of the type that I like? Colours? Brands? Do they have what I am looking for? Are any shoes on sale? What will they cost me? I make my choices and try them on. I walk around. I look in the mirror. How do they look? How do they feel? Are the comfortable? Do they meet my requirements? Will I be able to realize my objectives in having them? Are they suitable? Do I actually like them? Are they ‘me’? Are they worth the price they will cost?
Since I plan to wear my shoes a lot of the time, I must make sure that my answers to these questions satisfy me.
Sometimes, to my surprise, I find that what I thought I wanted is not what I want. That trendy pair of shoes is so uncomfortable. The beige colour that looked so good on my friend makes my foot look short and fat. The high heel pitches me forward so that my lower back hurts. Sometimes, again to my surprise, and only if I am adventurous enough to actually experiment and try them on, I discover that a pair of shoes that I thought I didn’t really like looks great on my foot. In the end, hopefully without too much fuss and bother, I find a pair of shoes that meets my requirements, I purchase them, and off I go.
In the same way, we evaluate structures to find what works. And like shoes on a growing foot, the structure that fitted last season quite possibly no longer fits me at all.
The shoes, it must be noted, are just a tool, the means to an end. Purchasing shoes is a goal, but only a goal towards something. I buy the shoes so that I will be able to do something that I want to do while wearing them. There is no real point in buying shoes that will remain in the cupboard, or buying shoes that I wear but do not use for their purpose. Structure too is a tool, the means to an end. Structure allows me to do what I want to do. Structure allows me to realize my objectives. And a good structure will protect, give comfort and warmth, and enable me to do things I would not otherwise be able to do.
Unschooling is not about throwing away structure. It is about finding structures that work for the people using them.
The problem in conventional schooling, is that the learner does not have the freedom to reject structures that don’t fit, but is forced to conform to them in much the same way as what young girls in Japanese society had their feet bound so that they would conform to the societal ideal of small footed women.
My children do not like rigid structures, and they have been encouraged to explore, to find, and to develop structures that fit, and to reject structures that make them feel uncomfortable. It is just like going shopping for a new pair of shoes. Shoes, after all, are structures. Julie Anne thought that she hated structure until we began to think about this, and then she realized that nothing could be further from the truth. What she hates is structures that don’t fit, and because she is an unconventional, highly original and creative kind of person, conventional structures just don’t fit. We wear shoes because they protect our feet, give comfort and warmth, and enable us to do things we would not otherwise be able to do, such as hiking in snow or over rocks, or going on pointe in a ballet class. Before I go off to the shops, I must have an idea of what it is that I want to buy—sandals, hiking boots, trainers… This knowledge will determine where I go, and what kind of shop I visit. There may be a colour preference, and a brand preference. This idea is based on personal preference, previous experience, research, advertising input, and the opinions of others. Then there is at least a rough idea of what size is needed. This size concept is based on what fitted before— I need the same size, or a size bigger than before if I am still growing. In cases where it is an entirely new kind of shoe, eg in the purchase of one’s first pair of ballet shoes, professional advice may be needed. Finally, some sort of decision needs to be made as regards budget—how much money shall I spend?
Shopping day comes, and I head for the shoe shop. Of course, I need to know where the shoe shops are before I depart! Once there, I investigate. Are there shoes of the type that I like? Colours? Brands? Do they have what I am looking for? Are any shoes on sale? What will they cost me? I make my choices and try them on. I walk around. I look in the mirror. How do they look? How do they feel? Are the comfortable? Do they meet my requirements? Will I be able to realize my objectives in having them? Are they suitable? Do I actually like them? Are they ‘me’? Are they worth the price they will cost?
Since I plan to wear my shoes a lot of the time, I must make sure that my answers to these questions satisfy me.
Sometimes, to my surprise, I find that what I thought I wanted is not what I want. That trendy pair of shoes is so uncomfortable. The beige colour that looked so good on my friend makes my foot look short and fat. The high heel pitches me forward so that my lower back hurts. Sometimes, again to my surprise, and only if I am adventurous enough to actually experiment and try them on, I discover that a pair of shoes that I thought I didn’t really like looks great on my foot. In the end, hopefully without too much fuss and bother, I find a pair of shoes that meets my requirements, I purchase them, and off I go.
In the same way, we evaluate structures to find what works. And like shoes on a growing foot, the structure that fitted last season quite possibly no longer fits me at all.
The shoes, it must be noted, are just a tool, the means to an end. Purchasing shoes is a goal, but only a goal towards something. I buy the shoes so that I will be able to do something that I want to do while wearing them. There is no real point in buying shoes that will remain in the cupboard, or buying shoes that I wear but do not use for their purpose. Structure too is a tool, the means to an end. Structure allows me to do what I want to do. Structure allows me to realize my objectives. And a good structure will protect, give comfort and warmth, and enable me to do things I would not otherwise be able to do.
Unschooling is not about throwing away structure. It is about finding structures that work for the people using them.