Anti Homeschoolers, opinion needed,I really need to know....?

Question

What exactly do you do in the summer? When your children (or you if this is a kid answering) are getting no socialization because there is no school? Don't you think that 2 months without socialization is detrimental??

Answer 1

There are groups that meet up all the time and have all kinds of activities =)

Answer 2

Swimming lessons, summer camp, sleep-overs, camping, days at the beach, cook-outs, church events/picnics...so funny the way you asked this, I love it! I, too, am attacked by those who are unknowing - there are no socialization problems with homeschooling. If anything, homeschooled children are better socialized than those who are in public school settings!

Why do I say this? Children in public schools are grouped by age and possibly even by abilities. A vast majority struggle to fit into "cliques" during any "FREE" time they may have at school (ha! That normally is only lunch time and they are forced to get in line and buy a lunch and eat it within 15 minutes and are assigned seats in the cafeteria quite often and are told to be quiet while they eat!) and suffer socially because of these things. They are herded around all day like they are cattle and are reprimanded for talking or thinking or acting as the individual they are!

Homeschooled children are subjected to different ages of children and adults all the time. They interact quite often with employees of places frequented by homeschool families,  because they are always inevitibly asked "Why aren't you in school, sweety?" They meet new people day in and day out! They form great friendships and do not stress constantly over whether or not they are wearing the "hippest" clothes or if they are listening to the most popular music.

Here is a great article - read on!

Homeschooling and the Myth of Socialization

by Manfred B. Zysk

One of the silliest and most annoying comments made to homeschooling parents is, "Aren't you concerned about how your child will be able to socialize with others?". What is being implied here is that the homeschooled child is some kind of introverted misfit who cannot relate to other people, children, and the outside world. In reality, most of the homeschooled children that I have known and met are not only outgoing, but polite and respectful, too. This is a sharp contrast to the public school children that I have known, who can't relate to adults and whose behavior is rude and inconsiderate. Realistically, there are some exceptions on both sides.

Isn't it interesting that amid all of the public school shootings over the past few years, the only comment that opponents of homeschooling can come up with is the red herring of "socialization"? You may have noticed, there haven't been shootings at private schools, or shootings inside of the homes of homeschooled children.

Opponents of homeschooling can't complain about average test scores, since homeschooled children consistently outscore public school children, so they instead make a problem that doesn't exist.

Who is responsible for creating this "socialization" problem? This myth has been perpetrated by sociologists, psychologists, public school administrators, the NEA (and local teacher's unions), etc., whenever they comment on homeschooling to the news media. These are the same people who give Ritalin (a very strong narcotic) and other drugs to schoolchildren, in place of discipline.

A family member asked my wife, "Aren't you concerned about his (our son's) socialization with other kids?". My wife gave this response: "Go to your local middle school, junior high, or high school, walk down the hallways, and tell me which behavior you see that you think our son should emulate." Good answer.

In order for children to become assimilated into society properly, it is important to have a variety of experiences and be exposed to differing opinions and views. This enables them to think for themselves and form their own opinions. This is exactly what public education does not want; public education is for the lowest common denominator and influencing all of the students to share the same views ("group-think") and thought-control through various means, including peer-pressure.

Homeschooling allows parents the freedom to associate with other interested parties, visit local businesses, museums, libraries, etc. as part of school, and to interact with people of all ages in the community. For example, my son goes on field trips with other homeschooling families in our community. He recently was able to visit an audiologist, a McDonald's restaurant (to see how they run their operation), and several other similar activities. He gets to meet and talk to people of different ages doing interesting (and sometimes not so interesting) occupations. He spends a lot of his free time with kids older and younger than himself, and adults from twenty to over ninety years old.

Meanwhile, in public school, children are segregated by age, and have very little interaction with other adults, except their teacher(s). This environment only promotes alienation from different age groups, especially adults. This is beginning to look like the real socialization problem.

My wife and I like to bring our son with us when we are visiting with friends and other adults. How else will he learn to be an adult, if he never has contact with adults? He knows what kind of behavior we expect from him, and the consequences of his actions. He is often complimented on his good manners by friends and adults.

In conclusion, homeschooling parents choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons, but I have never heard any homeschooling parent say that the reason they want to homeschool is to isolate their child from all of society. But, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea for homeschooled children to stay away from public school administrators, the NEA members, sociologists, and others who cannot properly "socialize" with children.

Go to your local public school, walk down the hallways and see what behaviors you would want your child to emulate.

Answer 3

I was homeschooled so I can't really speak for public schoolers, but my public schooled neighborhood friends were either shipped off to day care/camp, or when they were older they stayed home alone and watched tv all day.  Seriously.  That is all they did.  They could not do much of anything because both parents worked and could not drive them anywhere during the day.  Not gonna lie, it was kinda sad.

Answer 4

I hate the summer. Because I feel like it's the same as during the school year. Still hardly any friends, and nothing to do. All I do is work, and sleep. Same as during the school year.

Haha, it's SO funny to see people bash me for not liking homeschool....What do people want me to say?

Glee: I don't speak for others, but you need to realize that homeschooling is not as great as people think it is....That's all I try to get across....

=)

Answer 5

no socialization??? It's because of going to public schools that kids get friends and can hang out with them during the summer.  There are also summer programs in which a lot of children get into.  In my city kids from elementary all the way up to high school can become active in putting on a musical production.  It's not like when summer hits the kids just forget about their friends and sit in the corner of their room for 2 months until the parents let them out to go back to school.

Answer 6

Do they think summer programs (not offered by the school) are only open to public schooled kids? Our kids are right in there with public schooled kids. Unless our kids say so most don't even know that we home school! Funny they think our kids are socially inept but don't realize that it's their kids that are messed up! How many home school kids get mixed up in drugs? Get pregnant before marriage? Drink? A lot less than public schooled kids!

Edited to add: To: "The Intellectual" Dude get out and get a life!!!! Just because home school may suck for you doesn't mean it does for everyone. We can't help that you don't have friends. You have to actually leave your home and talk to someone (besides your imaginary friend) to make true friends. Get out there explore the world that's what home school is about! Does that take to much of your intellect to figure out? Grow up!

Answer 7

*sits back and enjoys a good giggle*

While you're answering, anti-homeschoolers...think back to the ridiculous questions asked of homeschoolers about socialization, and the answers that are given time and time again until it becomes a rehearsed response that we just want to get over with.

Answer 8

My kids did VBS, swimming lessons, soccer lessons, ballet (all year), 4H (summer shows and meetings), camps, etc.  I don't think it was boring.

I have to admit, I am not fond of summers because all the ps kids are out running the streets and clogging up the malls, parks, and amusement parks. The homeschoolers have these areas to themselves for most of the year.

Answer 9

Lol.

For me personally, I was just as overscheduled in the summer as I was during the year...I think some parents get afraid that if their kids aren't doing a scheduled activity, it doesn't count or else they are worried that their kids are going to 'miss something' and be behind all the other kids (yes, I do live in a very competitive area, how did you guess? At least my parents were more sane than the other parents who were always talking about if an activity would look good on a college application.)

And Max?

I'm really concerned...you don't like the school year, you don't like the summer (when other kids are off so you could see them if you wanted), you seem to be really negative about everything in your life...you might have clinical depression. I really think you should talk to a therapist.

Of course, I'm only judging from what I see here--maybe you are happier with your real life and just enjoy expressing negativity online....but if this is a real reflection of your mood, please, please talk to someone.

Answer 10

Most homeschools have co-op to where kids can interact with other kids while still being homschooled.  It's not as boring as you think it is.  There is alot less stress being homeschooled then at public school.   Summers for us are spent at the beach at the beach cabin.   We learn every day:))))))))))

Answer 11

There are lots of programs kids can go to in the summer, like camps or sports programs, where they can get plenty of socialization AND even meet other kids who don't go to the same school.

Answer 12

I cannot wait to see the mad mental scramble and twists of faulty logic it will take for them to justify their summer break as being socially healthy, while homeschool is not.  

........Ah. Max....speak for yourself. I'm sorry you have chosen to remain miserable rather than do something positive with your life. You cannot blame homeschool when so many other homeschoolers are having a ball. We don't speak for you, please stop insisting that you speak for others.