NEW YORK, March 27: Across the United States, Muslims who find that a public school education clashes with their religious or cultural traditions have turned to home schooling, says the New York Times in a research article published on Thursday.

“That choice is intended partly as a way to build a solid Muslim identity away from the prejudices that their children, boys and girls alike, can face in schoolyards”, besides it said, the intent (of the families) was also to isolate their adolescent and teenage daughters from the corrupting influences that they see in much of American life.

The newspaper says that about 40 per cent of the Pakistani and other Southeast Asian girls of high school age who are enrolled in the district here are home-schooled, though broader statistics on the number of Muslim children being home-schooled, and how well they do academically, are elusive. Even estimates on the number of all American children being taught at home swing broadly, from one million to two million.

No matter what the faith, parents who make the choice are often inspired by a belief that public schools are havens for social ills like drugs and that

they can do better with their children at home, the newspaper noted.

“I don’t want the behaviour,” Aya Ismael, a Muslim mother home-schooling four children near San Jose (California) tells the newspaper . “Little girls are walking around dressing like hoochies, cursing and swearing and showing disrespect toward their elders. In Islam we believe in respect and dignity and honour.”

Still, the newspaper said that the subject of home schooling was a contentious one in various Muslim communities, with opponents arguing that Muslim children were better off staying in the system and, if need be, fighting for their rights.

Robina Asghar, a Muslim who does social work in Stockton, Calif., told the

Times that the fact that her son was repeatedly branded a “terrorist” in school hallways sharpened his interest in civil rights and inspired a dream to

become a lawyer. He now attends a Catholic high school.

“My son had a hard time in school, but every time something happened it was a learning moment for him,” Mrs Asghar said. “He learned how to cope. A lot of people were discriminated against in this country, but the only thing that brings change is education.”