Why do people think homeschoolers don't have friends or social exposure?

Question

I hear that all the time.

"Homeschooling is a good idea but the child should have friends."
"Homeschooling is a bad idea because you never see anyone outside your family."
"Homeschooling is a bad idea because the child will only be exposed to a narrow worldview."

What do you people think homeschooling parents do to their kids?

More to my point, if YOU had to homeschool your kid, would you lock him up inside all day?

This sounds like a rant but it's a serious question.

Answer 1

Because they think they know what homeschooling is and judge accordingly but they really don't know what homeschooling is and so they make stupid judgements.

Really, though, this is probably part and parcel of the current public education system which does not really encourage thinking, rather giving the right answer. Kids don't learn to think beyond specific information and question whether it makes sense; they are just supposed to remember the information and accept it as fact. So, of course, when they hear the word "homeschooling", they think you stay at home all day.

It cracks me up even further to see things in here and in articles where people talk about homeschooled kids not knowing other people but then they go on to describe some group activity the homeschooled kid is involved with. Just proves the point that people don't think further than their noses on this issue.

Answer 2

I do feel like a parent of a homeschooled child does need to make the extra effort to socialize their child. Not that they can't, some don't though. It can be done in many ways, but if a parent does not do this then I feel that a child misses out on socializing.

Where I live, homeschooled childreen are not allowed to play for school sports teams. This has become a problem fro some athletically gifted kids. When I was in high school a kid started in tenth grade so he could play soccer and wrestle. he was good and ended up with a scholarship to a college for it. Not a bad trade off.....public school for a free ride to a college which costs over 100k for a four year degree.

Answer 3

I heard that too. I was homeschool until High School. I am outgoing. I am a living example, that just because you are homeschooled, live out of town, only see friends once a week...you can still an outgoing person. You are born with a outgoing personalty, no school can take that away.

But in some cases, i have seen parents be VERY strict on their children, then when they get out of the house turn wild!!!

I "think" you should listen to your child. If they seem to be taking to the wrong crowd, then homeschooling might be a good idea. If you homeschooling, and they want to be around more children their age...think about public school.

But there are a lot of different ways to get your child around children beside school. City sports, orchestra, and other classes the city offers.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

There are positive and negative sides of homeschooling, just like there are in public schools.

Some parents do it for the religious bonuses, some family closeness...for my family it was just because the public schools suck.

I wasn't not stuck inside all day, during lunch/breaks my brother and I could run around outside and have fun. If I got my work done early, I could hang out with my homeschool friends. It's really not that bad! When i was in 6th grade, i asked to go to school. I was at that age when my mom was really annoying the crap outta me! I wanted to see my friends more than at church and field trips. I didn't get to go until my freshman year, (which i loved!)

I believe that if people really want their kids to get a good start, they should homeschool through the elementary grades, and then for the social life send them to school for middle & high school when it really matters. Homeschooling is more one-on-one, which helps create a base that kids can build off. They can also avoid a lot of the challenges of public schools, like bullies, drugs, peer pressure, etc.

And I turned out okay!

Answer 5

Well, crank,

I guess those ideas come about because most folks go to public school and that's where they develop their peer friendships.

When they think of homeschooling, they probably think of what it is like when they are home from school due to an illness--nothing going on since all the other kids are in school.

If I had to homeschool my child, I would make certain that he or she was involved in activities with peers outside the home--church, sports, scouting, karate, dance, and so on.

I'm curious now about why you asked this question. Are you a homeschool kid? A homeschool parent? What do you think of homeschooling?

Hope these thoughts help!
searcher

Answer 6

I have a friend who is homeschooled and he has no social outings except for occasoinaly going to the nearest big town
thought he has a girlfriend he never gets to see her and I feel a
little sorry for him but not much because he always gets to be at
home.

Answer 7

I was not home schooled and, in high school, I used to think like that. I suppose it was because there were 250 in my graduating class. That means there were 250 teenagers that I knew, plus students from other grades. Now, I realize that quantity doesn't matter, it's quality that does. I didn't even like half those students. Thirteen years later, I'm only still in touch with 1 person from high school. Bottom line, people who think the way you described are just ignorant or just don't know any better.

Answer 8

Home schooling is a great idea especially since the regular courses in public schools are becoming ridiculous and children need the basics of education. Parents should realize that their children's education is one of the most important things that they owe them. It is their preparation to becoming independent worthwhile adults and citizens.

If they are going to take on the task of home schooling they should really join a home schooling organization. It will help them keep on track for educating their children.

Did you know that on the average children that are properly home schooled score higher in college entrance exams?

Social skills is a personality term not an educational one..

Answer 9

i have noticed that as well. although i was not homeschooled, some of my friends were, and have better social skills than a lot of other students. i think people just image homeschooled children as being unable to fit into social places. maybe it was taboo to be homeschooled years ago...

Answer 10

People think that because children are not in regular school. I used to be home chooled so I would know. They don't realize that there are extra activities homeschoolers may join other activities