The Courage To Let Them Play: Factors Influencing And Limiting Feelings Of Self-Efficacy In Unschooling Mothers

Work and play are dichotomized in society and the conventional education system. Stepping outside of societys educational norms and allowing children more free play/choice is not easy, but more parents are doing it by engaging their children in a homeschooling pedagogy called unschooling. What gives these parents the courage to walk down an unconventional educational path? This article will explore factors influencing and limiting feelings of self-efficacy in mothers who unschool. This paper provides an overview of homeschooling, focuses in on unschooling and its connections to play, provides an overview of Banduras (1977) theory on self-efficacy, and then interweaves this theory with the experiences of unschooling mothers.