Does this sound like a lack of socialization to you?

Question

I am running into the socialization myth everywhere I go these days. I do not understand this misconception. Here are the things I see in my life that indicate homeschoolers have excellent social skills. I am about to have a brag cession, but with all the kids on here being told they’ll be “socially inept” if they homeschool, I feel it is warranted. I’d like other homeschoolers to chime in. For the reader’s reference, my daughter is 10 years old.

Answer 1

The next time somebody mentions "socialization" to you, ask them what they mean.  Socialization in traditional schools means being part of a pack, dealing with an effectively enforced code of silence, and letting your peers do your thinking for you.  No thanks.

Answer 2

Keep up the GREAT work.

It does this homeschool mom's heart good to hear about other 'well-rounded' homeschoolers.

Answer 3

There was an article in the papers here earlier this week reporting on an independent study in the US concerning the socialisation of kids and adults. Basically, the research demonstrated that "crunch time" for a person's social skills is aged 0 - 6 yrs. It's entirely down to the quality of parenting and social interaction you receive before your 6th birthday. It has nothing to do with whether or not you go to school/how you are educated

Answer 4

the socialization myth largely comes from teacher's unions who worry about their members getting laid off, school districts worried about loss of federal funds and some xenophobic families who deny their kids a social life.

It's by and large a myth

there are as many unsocial kids in homeschool as there are in brick school.

what is not a myth and what some, not all, sociologists and psycholgists think is a problem is that homeschooler are more mature and adult.

For some strange reason sociologist and psycholgists think if did don't get drunk, take drugs, get into fist fights, steal a car or do any of the childish things many middle and high schoolers do they are deprived a childhood experience.

they claim turning out adult sensibiity kids at the age of 14 is somehow wrong.

This is like saying since 40% of the girls get pregnant by 17 to deny a girl this experience short changes her in life.

I don't personally get that concept nor why psycholgists and sociologists are backing it to a degree

their view is, if your kids aren't allowed to join a gang, your kids may turn out abnormal.

so I guess to appease the psycholgists you shuld suggest to yur 15 year old that he go out and get int a barroom brawl or a fist fight

and you should tellyou 16 year old daughter to go get pregnant or smoke a joint

you see if you deny them these things and turn them into polite, charming, nice, affable people you are doing them harm.

go figure!

Answer 5

What a wonderful testimonial!

A lot of people simply can't handle how different homeschooled kids can be--in a good way. Basically, they find fault with maturity and non-conformity. They think kids are kids and that public schooled kids are the way they are because they are kids or because they have the "proper" social milieu in which to grow up. Which in turn must mean that because homeschooled kids are different, they aren't quite "right" as kids, right? It's poor logic based on faulty premises.

Answer 6

I say: "You Go Glee!"

I find it ironic that many of the same things that public school kids make fun of in others are the same things they idolize as / in adults.  Musical talent (band geeks vs successful singers, musicians).  Academic talent ("smart kids" vs financially successful adults).  Acting talent (Drama club geeks vs famous actors and actresses).

I think many of the homeschool bashers here are following a political agenda.  It is not simply a matter of ignorance.

And think about their tactics... their methods have all the earmarks of bullying behavior.  

I have yet to see a post which included any quantitative evidence that homeschool students are "unsocialized."  That is because there is no serious research that reaches such a conclusion.  All serious research, in fact, indicates the exact opposite.

I wish we (homeschoolers) could all get together and come up with a better name for how we educate.  Real life school? Life Long Learning?

Answer 7

I homeschooled my kids for 3 years and know EXACTLY what you are talking about - all this concern over their socialization..

I am not trying to be rude when I say this - but just the fact that you wrote SO much about how  great/smart/accomplished/socialized she is - shows that you have a need/desire for the approval of others.. best advice - Life your life and stop caring what others think.

Answer 8

Trust me, people who tell u homeschooling will 'cause lack of socialization are people who work in public schools.

they are snobs, ignore them.

Home-schooling > public schools FOR SURE UNDER any condition or scenerio.