I want to homeschool my kid, but I am afraid he will not be socially up to par in life. Is this corcerning?

Answer 1

I wouldn't accept advice on the subject from someone who has not a) homeschooled or b) been homeschooled. Anyone else is just making uneducated conjecture.

There have been actual scientific studies on this topic and, guess what, homeschoolers actually end up being socially superior to their institutionally educated peers.

From http://homeschoolinformation.com/homeschooling/homeschool_statistics1.htm:

Studies also show homeschoolers mature and better socialized than are those sent to school. Dr. John Wesley Taylor's nationwide study revealed that the self-concept of home school students was significantly higher than that of public school students for the global and all six subscales of the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale. The Galloway-Sutton Study (performed in 1997), showed that from five success indicators (academic, cognitive, spiritual, affective-social and pyschomotor), comparing with public and private schooled students, "in every success category except pyschomotor, the home school graduates excelled above the other students."

That being said, you can't just think that you're going to homeschool him, keep him in the house all day every day, never expose him to social situations, and think that he's going to be socially adept. But social skills are like anything else, they need to be taught, not just absorbed. Social skills are not taught in public school, but your child will absorb many social behaviors that you may find unacceptable. When you homeschool, you teach them the social skills that you want him to have, then you pick social situations where he can practice (church, sports, museum classes, etc.).

There is a ridiculous notion held by many who don't homeschool that homeschoolers never leave their homes. Most homeschoolers I know are TOO busy. They have classes, sports, church, scouts, etc. Some of them are busier than their institutional counterparts.

So, if you want to homeschool, look at the research and do what is best for your family. Don't let your fears stand in your way.

Answer 2

I was homeschool for 8 of my 12 years. And I truly believe that it depends on the parents. Do they get the child involved in other social activities? How many children would they be homeschooling? Would the parents have the time to give the child the one on one attention that the child will need. I'm in college now. I'm practically a straight "A" student (a few "B"), I've been on the presidents list for good grades, and I have been accepted into the nursing department (which is not an easy thing to do at the college I'm going to) I would say that socially I have nothing to worry about. That will come when the time is right.
Good Luck

Answer 3

As a teacher, I love to address these questions. Especially when someone has posted how long we go to school and that, the education makes us somehow better than everyone else at teaching! That is horse manure! :)

Ok here is my take on this question. Homeschool if you feel prepared for it. It is a LOT of work. Homeschooling is not just giving your kids something to do then going to work while they do it. Homeschool is an involved commitment between you, your spouse, and your children that requires a lot of work on all parts! If you wish to homeschool there are a lot of ways to involve the social aspect of life with your child. If you are a member at a church, speak with your pastor or your youth pastor about what they can do to help. Many churches offer support groups for homeschoolers where you can feed off of each others strengths. The best homeschooling I have ever seen was through my church where, one group of 5 parents got together and formed a sort of homeschooling school. The parents talked about their strengths and weaknesses and then used that to their advantage. One would teach Government, history, etc. another would teach math and accounting... and so on. Then, the families would all get together to do phyisical activities together as well which provided social interaction. Not one of the 15 or so kids involved were what I would classify as being socially inept. In all honesty the homeschoolers i know are probably more able to be socially appealing than the public school kids. Also, check with your local school district. A few of the more advance thinking districts will allow you to sign your student up for sports through the district. Not many do that but I know a few do. Public Schools tend to get cranky about homeschooling because they see it as lost money. Also, be certain you visit your state department of education as most states now have homeschooling standards and offer a LOT of support for homeschoolers. I hope this helps. If you want to chat more or feel like i have brought up more questions...please feel free to contact me!

Answer 4

I am 19 and my husband is 18. My husband was homeschooled his entire life. He never once went inside a public school. He is Extremely smart and makes $50,000 a year. I don't have to work! He said that being homeschooled bothered him when he was in middle school because the only other kids he knew were the ones at his very small church. If you keep your kids in community baseball and other activities then it would keep them very social and happy. If my husband would have done that then he would not have felt like he didn't know many other people his age. On the other hand, he loved being homeschooled after he got through the middle school phaze because he started hanging around other high schoolers that came to his church and he started playing baseball. Now he is kind of quiet but that is just his personality. He loves to hang out with all his friends and when you get to know him he gets really talkative. He is definetly up to par socially.

Answer 5

On the contrary. We homeschool and always get asked that question. Homeschooling doesn't mean we lock our kids away after school too!! The kids still play with the neighborhood kids. Also, there are Co-op programs which are adtl. classes available for your homeschooler - classes that you can't teach or don't want to. These programs generally run by Mom's and Dads get together and bring their kids into a classroom setting and teach on subject in their area of expertise. Look into a co-op group near you ( library or church) The point being that there is oppty. for the kids to interact. Finally, oneof the reasons we home school is BECAUSE of the social interaction- too much leads to the kids not concentrating in class and /or studying. Homeschooling also provides oppty for spur of the moment learning field trips, activities etc. which bring the kids in contact with the real outside world. You'll find the a lot of homeschooled kids are able to interact and converse easily with adults because of this.

Answer 6

My husband and I are going to home school this year. We have found many groups that meet monthly. The church by my moms house even sells the curriculum they teach in their private school and meets about once a week to get the kiddies together. Go grocery shopping during the school day and when you see a parent with their older children ask if they home school. If they do, and most likely they will, ask if they can meet you for lunch sometimes. You will be amazed about how not only will all the kids get along despite age and gender differences, but the children will be able to speak along with the adults a lot better then the children but in a classroom with only one teacher whom many begin to fear and all kids their own ages. Also the YMCA usually has homeschooling activities. Occasionally the Girl scouts and boy scouts will have a homeschooling troop in your area. Also with homeschooling you can take off when both parents will be available for vacations not only when the state feels like you should. Let me tell you it's great going to Wisconsin Dells in February.

Answer 7

not quite sure what the last part of your question was but, children that are homeschooled as less socially prepared for the real world. Children do need the interaction to learn about relationships, friendships and teamwork. Kids need friends outside the home - mom or dad does not make a good friend - they need to learn how to handle situations and learn respect and earn respect. School for a child is a very complex place - when they are home schooled they miss out on so much. Even the bad stuff they are exposed to has a purpose. Not all lessons we learn in life are good ones.
I homeschooled 3 of my children for a year, not a good experience, you do learn at home but the school experience should be different. think of it this way - you can earn a living at home if you have to but to earn an exceptional living you need to go outside the home. And no matter how smart you think you are as parent or how good of a parent you are - you are probably not a trained teacher. It also puts a big strain on the parent/child relationship - it is not worth it for either of you - much less rewarding for both of you as well - the only exception that works is if the child has a medical condition and cant go to schoolbut even at that a teacher will still come to your home to teach your child

Answer 8

For some reason this is the biggest question that is raised in re guard to homeschooling. I can tell you from lots of personal experience in homeschooling my kids and having friends that homeschool that it is really up to you how your child is socialized. If you keep him/her at home all the time and "shelter" them from any outside influences then socially they will not be up to par. They may be smart but they may be timid and very shy...not knowing how to socialize with all types of people. however if you are involved in groups outside of the home...sports, church, neighborhood kids, clubs, homeschooling groups etc...your kids will be very well socialized and influenced in a MUCH better way then sending them to an open public school where you have no idea what social influences are being placed on them. I have known both types of families and see how it affects the kids.
I hope that helps you in your decision...In my opinion I'd say go for it!!! You have been homeschooling your child from birth til now (potty training, learning to walk, eat and go to sleep properly etc...etc...) why stop now just because "the system" has set up a public school system that seems to say that is what we are supposed to do. Good luck with it...you and your child will do just fine!!!

Answer 9

Schooling is for education, not a social playground.
I have raised 6 children in my lifetime [I am 50 with 4 grandchildren] and have found that the social skills children will learn to use on the outside of the home, has been learned before they ever enter into school.
There are many organizations out there in our society that the children can be involved in outside of traditional schooling. They are the same ones the children in traditional school attend, like football, basket ball, soccer, gymnastics, ymca, scouts, church, ect.
The education value of homeschooling is like a hidden jewel in the middle of the desert. Of course you will not get to see that jewel until you have invested the time in digging it out.
Most homeschooled children are more focused, better self-controlled and respectful of others.
Homeschooling can be a great experience for your child and for you also.
It's up to you on the success of your child. You will be the teacher. If you really think about it, we start homeschooling the children when they are born.
I hope this has helped. God bless you.

Answer 10

I think you should talk to your child about it and see what they want. But, with that said, I was home schooled for nine years, and I was the most social person you could ever meet. I also had opportunities that most kids my age didn't get. By the time I was eighteen; I had traveled to 40 states around America and had been out of the country several times. I had no problems getting into college and my brother (who was also home schooled) scored an easy 1480 on his SAT. I have been very active in sports and never had a problem of not being able to communicate well with people. Also, a lot of schools (at least in Texas) will allow you to home school your child, but will also allow your child to play sports at their school, or take different classes that you choose. If you are worried about your child being a social out-cast, have no worries because that is not what home schooling does. I am not only 20, but already I have a great job in communications. I am not saying that home schooling is the path for everyone, but I do know that is was an amazing thing for me.