Do you believe home schooled children are at a disadvantage when it concerns social development?

Answer 1

Yes I do!!! My neighbor decided to homeschool their 6 youngest and they really haven't got any friends. The youngest boy lets a neighbor boy spit in his face,degrade him and then kicks him to the curb when his "school buddies" show up. They missed out on games that kids play together and are unfamiliar on how to greet people > I have known them since they came home from the hospital and unlike other kids who have grown up in my neighborhood ( I've been here for 30 yrs) they are as if they don't know how to greet or speak to people. Their older 3 siblings who went to a parochial school are more outgoing and are married . with kids in public school .You learn many social skills in school ,things like standing in line,raising your hand to answer a question or being called on to answer. I think homeschooled kids miss out on crushes on the opposite sex,calling adults by Mr or Mrs. or Miss. instead of mom,dad,or grandma.I can definately see a differance in homeschooled kids in the same family and the ones who went to a regular school.

Answer 2

Of course not. I even have a good friend (a public school mom) who's always telling people how she could never homeschool because she knows how we do it and our social schedule would kill her.

One thing I seem to constantly read is remarks from people about how they know a homeschooler who went into public school and "didn't fit in" or "couldn't socialize." Homeschooling is instantly blamed for this. But only think - were you ever "the new kid" - a transfer to a totally new school where you didn't know anyone, or did you ever know a student who was? Did you (he) just instantly fit in and make friends with everyone? Probably not! The lucky new kids are taken under the wing of some girl or boy who makes it her/his mission to introduce them to lots of other students. The unlucky ones are ignored or worse.

Being new in school - no matter where you came from, another school, homeschooling, another state, another country, whatever the situation - it's *hard* and no, not every student is going to suddenly be the instant BMOC. That has nothing to do with homeschooling and everything to do with how difficult it is for a vast majority of people to "fit in" in a brand new situation surrounded by total strangers.

I would challenge any public school or private school student who thinks homeschoolers are at a social disadvantage to spend a day with a homeschool support group or co-op. *You* be the "new kid" in a crowd of students who all know one another and are already good friends and see how well your "social development" comes across.

Actually, come to think on it, you'd probably do just fine. Most homeschool parents work very hard at making sure their kids are friendly and outgoing with any new children they meet - you'd be greeted with open arms and treated like "one of the family" as soon as you walked in the door. Wouldn't it be nice if public schoolers always operated under the same philosophy?

Answer 3

I think that there are definitley other ways to interact and develop social skills. However, home schooled children can sometimes be more self centered, may think they are extra-smart, and can have bad group working skills. There are a few home-schooled children in my class (10th grade), and they are really hard to work with because they have never learned how to solve problems as a group. This is my experience. This doesn't mean all or even most home schooled children, so don't take offence. This is only who I have interacted with.

Answer 4

I think that if children are home schooled, then they need some type of acitivities where they have interaction with other children their ages. They need to develop properly and communicating and interacting with their peers helps them have proper social skills. The only way they'll know how to interact with their peers is to actually be around them. If it's balanced properly I don't see a problem. If the child is being schooled at home they should have time scheduled away from the home daily, it should be incorporated into their schooling scedule.

Answer 5

It depends, I'm really shy and only get along well with "nerds" or older people. I do well at ballet class. I was home schooled. I consider this a benefit.

My sister went to public high school and she partied all the time and got pregnant at 19. Most people I know who went to public school aren't too bright.

So it depends on what type of "social status" you want your child to be at. Hanging with the nerds or the big popular social circle at your local high school.

I do not think it is correct to sacrifice a child's education and potential for a better social life though so I always say go with home school and get them involved in dance, karate, music lessons or something else that will have them in a group. Ballet is especially good for girls because it teaches discipline. Karate is the same for boys. And music is always good to help with creativity. Arts is required for admission to colleges.

Answer 6

No, I think if the parents are conscientious about getting them out in different social environments that they are at a distinct advantage.

I think that much of the socialization that goes on in a public school is negative. Kids learn materialism and social Darwinism.
I think the idea that kids will learn to have a "thick skin" by being teased at school is unrealistic. That may be the case with some kids, but others NEVER learn to stand up for themselves, or try only to suffer worse torment or violence, and dread going to school each and every day. Some of these kids turn their anger on themselves, some on others.
I think that kids whose self esteem isn't dependent upon the whims of the public schools social atmosphere are stronger and more independent. They are MORE likely to resist peer pressure when they aren't as effected by it.

Answer 7

No, not simply from being home schooled they are not. If you seclude them from other human beings on a consistent basis, sure, but that's not what homeschooling is about.

There are a lot of homeschooling networks out there. Additionally church (if you attend), karate, soccer, bowling leagues, and other activities are important.

Homeschooled children also have the advantage of learning both from other homeschooled kids as well as a wide variety of adults. When you home school you learn to get your education on the go, not from sitting at a desk in front of a book. I have heard often that home schooled kids have an easier time talking to adults than their public-school peers.

Answer 8

We go to 4 field trips a day, have banquets about every other month, involved in several sports, 4-H, formal graduations, P.E. days, science and social fairs, community service days, just to name a few. All of this is done as a group with other local homeschoolers. One local homeschool group we belong to has 42 families and the other one is a brand new group but they have already 20 families...and this one is in a small town. Check to see if there are any local homeschool groups in your area. I know there is a organization called CHEF and they are a nationwide homeschool support group. Homeschooling is tons of fun and you will not lack in social activities.

Answer 9

Usually not. When in school, children associate only with people their own age, when homeschooled they will associate with people of all ages. They also learn how to act in real life experiences. How else do you learn about going to the bank, grocery store, or doing laundry unless you actually do it?

I am a homeschooled only child (I have been homeschooled for nine years, before that I went to our church's school) and I have a lot of friends, both homeschooled and those in 'regular' school. Also, with homeschooling, everyone is friends. True, we have close friends, but we all get along together all the time.

Answer 10

I think some are, but that's only if their parents don't realize they have a role to play in their child's social development. Most times, though, homeschooled kids are just fine socially, though. They are better able to interact with a variety of people and strangers, get more attention in terms of appropriate social behaviour (etiquette) and have better role models--adults instead of other immature kids the same age.

Answer 11

Not usually. Even those families in which I consider to be more private, the children socialize very well with adults. This can only serve them well as they seek a position in the job market that respects ability and trust, rather than the usual teen attitudes.

So I guess it depends on which kind of socialization you want to see.