Abstract

In recent decades there has been a considerable increase in the scope of homeschooling in many Western countries. However, it has not been consistent among all sectors of society, but rather concentrated in certain groups. It is a growing trend among Jewish Israeli society, but has not taken hold among Israeli Druze. This article examines the reasons that Druze society in Israel has not been part of the considerable increase in the practice of teaching children at home. Several theoretical perspectives for understanding these differences are suggested and investigated, focusing on the unique characteristics of Druze society in Israel and of the secret Druze religion, as well as on feminist perspectives and the developments in Druze women’s status in recent decades.