Why do anti-homeschoolers think that homeschooled kids do not socialize?

Question

For those of you who disagree with homeschooling because of lack of socialization - How many homeschooled students do you personally know? Have you even met one homeschooled student?

I notice that none of the anti-homeschoolers have answered. I wonder if that means they don't know any homeschoolers and are just clueless about homeschooling?

Emmapeel I wish I could email you. I think your observations might be biased because most homeschooled kids that return to school come from clueless parents that didn't invest the time and energy required to properly teach thier kids. I don't think that is representative of most homeschooled kids.

Answer 1

I homeschool my own kids and I know another family in our coop that is brand new to homeschooling. This girl came from the public school where she was treated horribly by her peers. Since she has been homeschooling, she has made more friends in our coop than she had in school. Her academic performance has improved as well.

I have found when homeschooers gather with homeschoolers, attitudes are better towards each other. there is less competition with each other for "the best" and more focus on the quality of personal relationships.These kids don't get jealous of friends as easily as the kids I've seen in the public or private schools because they know from experience they can be themselves. There isn't the belief they have to say or do stuff to impress others out of peer pressure.

People who are against homeschooling tend to make a big deal about the socialization thing because they are more concerned with kids being like everyone else than being themselves. Notice they will always talk about socialization, not socializing. Socialization is actually defined as the conforming of one generation to the standards and expectations of the previous generation. Socializing is the gathering of many for a common pleasure or goal. Listen to these anti-homeschoolers and you will see a common factor that is pro-socialization and less concerned with socializing.

Answer 2

I am not anti homeschooling. I homeschool two of my children. I hope it's okay for me to stick my no nose in here. Just about all, if not all, the books and websites i've seen on homeschooling, have been written by homeschooling advocates. The advantages are always stressed more than the disadvantages, if the disadvantages are mentioned at all. Like other homeschoolers, i'm sick and tired of what we call the big S question- "What about socialization?" I can understand how homeschoolers just cant stand to hear that socialization argument anymore. However, i feel we need to realize that everything in life- everything- has advantages and disadvatages, including school and homeschool. When someone mentions a point against homeschooling, i think we need to be able to listen open mindedly even if we dont agree. I noticed in another question someone asked about the disadvantages of homeschooling, that many of the answers were hidden due to high negative rating. When i clicked to show these answers, i saw that most of these pointed to socialization as a disadvantage. I think it is wrong to keep giving everyone who doesn't agree with homeschooling, or who feels that homeschooling is not good for kids socially, a thumbs down. I hope that doesn't happen here. People have a right to their opinion, and as someone who has been homeschooling for years, i am interested in what the anti-homeschoolers have to say. Now give me a thumbs down if you like...

Answer 3

Why do anti homeschoolers think that homeschooled kids do not socialize
http://homeschoolingfaqs.com might help

Answer 4

I know 3 homeschooled children and they're all perfectly happy, socially-skilled children. Well, except one, who's a leeeeetle psycho, but she has legitimate medical problems.

Answer 5

Because they are ignorant. Just homeschool for one month and you'll find out what a joke "socializing" really is.

Answer 6

Ignorance. Anyone who knows homeschool children personally, also knows that they do just fine socially. Nearly all homeschooling parents recognize the need for their children to socialize and find appropriate outlets for it. Boy/Girl Scouts, clubs, sports, church groups, etc. There are countless ways to socialize without spending most of your waking time in a classroom where you can't socialize that much anyway because you are supposed to be quiet. LOL

Sue

Answer 7

I am sure that is why they aren't answering because they don't know any homeschoolers and are just going on the myth that goes around. I don't know why people that haven't done their research open their big traps and say stuff that is way off base. I have known kids that I went to public school that had horrible or no social skills whatsoever. It can happen to some people whether you are in school or homschooled.

Answer 8

I believe the anti-homeschoolers do it from the propaganda they are fed. I know a few homeschoolers in RL and their kids are not only socialized but polite and respectful to adults.

Answer 9

Home schooled kids can be social with other kids. I was home schooled along with my younger sister and bother. I started in 8th grade, my sister in 6th grade and my brother in 2nd grade. My sister played basketball with the home school team. I was on the Yearbook staff. People that are anti-homeschoolers don't know what really goes on in the life of a homeschooler. My first thought of it was kinda the same. "Oh great I'm not going to have any friends now." But it's not true. We all had friends. If you get together with other homeschoolers and do activities with them then you will get friends. Here in my state there is a newsletter that homeschoolers get that tells of different events going on with homeschoolers. My mom would take us kids to go skating with the homeschoolers as our field trip, once a month. If you stay involved then you won't have lack of socialization. Right now my sister, brother and I have alot of friends. I don't think being homeschooled held us back from having friends or anything. I now am a Pastors wife and yes you have to be social-able in the position I am in right now.

Answer 10

I wouldn't call myself an anti-homeschooling, but as a public school teacher who has gotten several home-schooled kids, I've not been impressed. They don't work well with others. Two of them that I had behaved horribly IE started fights and wouldn't work when asked to. A lot of them I've had couldn't meet deadlines. The three most recent I had were way behind in English and literature. However, I know one family that the kids are very polite and well read, but of all the ones I've seen, they are the only ones I've felt were well-rounded. I have nothing against homeschooling. Those are just my observations.