Homeschool and socialization?

Question

What do I say to people who are against me homeschooling my kids and cite the ancient "socialization" myth as their reasoning? I know that no amount of logic can make people see what is right in front of their faces (or make them magically start thinking in THIS century), but I am so sick of this ancient reason to question homeschool.

Actually I'd say my kids now have MORE socialization oportunities. They have time for MANY more activities now that they are not tied to the rigorous school schedule, so my kids are in Civil Air Patrol (with...I dunno, something like 300 kids?), they can hold jobs, be in music lessons, volunteer at the library to read to kids, visit with older people in the local nursing homes, volunteer for our local hometown planting projects........most kids in school (who BTW are "socializing" with people EXACLTY their age in EXACTLY their classes) wouldn't have TIME for the socialization my homeschooled kids get-I know becase when they WERE in school, they couldn't do these things due to time contraints

Answer 1

I have been homeschooled, attended private school, and even public high school. Now I'm in college and because of the vast studies i was involved in as a child I'm a more well rounded student. I'm a social butterfly and when I started taking college night classes as a sophomore in h.s. I found I often had deeper insight to the world around me. (Please don't get me wrong, I'm not a nerdy person; my hobbies include pageants, working out, and shopping)

If you are a parent to homeschooled children it is your responsibility for their social interaction. I am an education major a state university and they tell us that there are bad parents in any schooling situation. I believe that there a many students in public school that can not hold conversation with adults on any subject matter.

Homeschooling is actually one of the fastest growing education systems. In many area's there are learning co-op for families who want their children to still have that classroom setting.
Homeschooling has its advantages such as personalized learning for each student. In depth studies on topics a student is interested in.

Socialize? Since when did a teacher in a public or private school let you talk in class? Yeah, never. So except recess and lunch student can't really talk to each others.

Answer 2

Why is it that this seems like the ONLY reason people can come up with...the socializing....Do they honestly think we all sit here in boxes and run from the outside world??? It’s crazy!! Homeschoolers are more involved in life than anything anymore. Find a great homeschool organization in your area first. They are going to be so much help to you. You can try a search for your state and go from there. You will be surprised at how many kids are now being homeschooled today.

And when you start homeschooling your child/children you will also be amazed at how great the experience is even on your bad days. Also at how fast your child will learn things.

I went back and forth from private school to homeschool and so glad I have chosen the homeschool setting for my child. I know he is getting more of an education for his future and it’s all right in front of my eyes. It’s been wonderful and he has really enjoyed the learning process finally.

Answer 3

I'm15 years old and I have been home schooled since I was nine. I can say that I have NO problems with socialization. Also, my grammar and spelling is a whole lot better than kids my age. All they do in class is talk to their peers! They hardly learn anything unless they DONT socialize! I'm planning my sweet sixteen at the moment and I have about 100 people on the list to invite, and I have alot more to write down too! Those are people I see weekly!! I think people are just ignorant and need to dig deeper and see with their own eyes that homeschooling is 300 times better than public school. xD

Answer 4

"Socialization" as so-called by those who use this as a reason to homeschool, actually has very little to do with with the "Hi hello how are you" socialization and more to do with a certain indoctrination that usually takes place in public schools. I know homeschoolers in real life and they are social but with people of all ages. True, they are not indoctrinated into a multicultural, global, socialistic system also known as government schools.
Most public schooled kids will wind up being the sheep in society, not leaders. Homeschooled children are taught to be individuals, tomorrow's leaders of our nation. They won't be fitting into some nice neat mold so common among public schooled kids.

So, the next time someone asks you about "socialization", just say to them:

"Thanks but I do not want my children to be indoctrinated through government schools."

Answer 5

Depends on whose asking, your mother in law or the neighbors! :)

I have been known to respond with something along the lines of, "Yes, I know there are a lot of social skills my children will not learn, like social drinking, social smoking, social sex, social choking games, for that, I am truly grateful."

Someone who is truthfully concerned and interested, may be surprised to find that in various studies, homeschooled children showed significantly fewer negative social behaviors than children in public or even private school. You can explain that your children get together regularly with other children at church or gymnastics or the homeschool field trips or whatever.

I have learned to ignore the ones that just want to argue and accuse, but to use the opportunity to spread the information to those who are truly concerned. So many ask this question because that's what they've 'heard'. Hmmm, propoganda maybe? So, sow a little of our own!!

Answer 6

That's so funny...the argument of kids need to be with 800 other people to learn socialization. My son laughed and asked if you had ever been Christmas shopping at a big mall.

Seriously, just because you're in PS doesn't mean you're guaranteed that experience either, my husband came from a high school with 200, I came from a boarding school with 50 in my graduating class, 120 students all together. I didn't ever see half of them. So how was I socializing with them? I was even living in the same building.

I like the answers I've read so far, about homeschooling not being about isolating a child, but opening her up to all the learning experiences that our planet has to offer. We live 15 hours from a beach, but we can take off whenever we want to go explore there, because we have no one to answer to. We did it on a budget the kids created, on a schedule that they maintained. My kids spoke to surfer teens skipping school, little old ladies collecting shells, lifeguards, scientists studying the ecology, bikers with big tattoos having a bonfire.

That's what homeschooling socialization is to me...not being trapped in someone else's convention of what normal socialization looks like. 200 kids your age, with no experience and no wisdom to share.

Answer 7

There are three kinds of people: those who are educated about and excepting of homeschooling, those who will never except homeschooling, and those who have been misinformed about homeschooling.

For those who are not willing to accept homeschooling, tell them to mind their own business.

For those who have been misinformed:
Tell them that Harvard, Yale, Princeton and many other public and private Universities are actively seeking homeschooled students not only for their superior academic records, but because home school graduates are more actively involved in campus activities and are better at interacting with a wide variety of people than their public or private school counterparts.

Tell them that your kids social skills are improved by the fact that you are there to correct social problems as they happen instead of waiting until the problems spiral out of control.

Answer 8

I am a grandmother who may have a homeschooled grandchild in the near future. I am on both sides of the fence but...the kid needs around other kids not only for socialization but coping skills and how to handle situations...In our area, I believe that the diploma is nonexistent upon graduation; they take the GED test afterward...In our area, both parents work for above minimum wage and need vehicles-who is going to homeschool the kids? I also know that a lot of times homeschooled children are exposed to much more because their schedule is flexible...

Answer 9

I dated a girl in college who was homeschool. She was, by far, the most social and well-rounded person I have ever met. She was very active in her community and was always doing something with a different group.

Looking back, most of my friends I talk to now from my middle and high school years I know through extracurricular activities and not through the "forced" socialization experienced in public schools.

Answer 10

Socialization isn't an issue to be taken lightly. The ability to work with others is a an extremely important skill in today's job market. There is increasing emphasis on peer reviews and group projects in many professions, especially the more technical ones.

If I were you, I'd ensure your children are involved in activities that expose them to children their own age as well as children who are in different age groups. Social skills are learned from everyone a child meets, so it's important to give them a wide variety of influences.

Then tell people that it's your business to make sure your kids are raised properly, not theirs. ;)