How could I study the socialization of homeschoolers?

Question

This is part of a questionnaire for my sociology coursework.

I'm looking for ideas about what sort questions to ask, such as whether to test social intelligence or ask about how many friends they have, or some other method entirely.

Answer 1

Are you wondering how homeschool kids learn things like social norms and how to function in society?  (I'll give you the answer - they live in it every day, rather than growing up in a homogenous, ZIP code/age segregated society of their own.) :)

Or are you wondering how homeschool kids make friends and have social activities?  There are any number of ways, since they're not restricted to a school schedule, per se.  They can do anything they're interested in, with people of all ages and backgrounds.

One thing I would suggest - tread lightly, and don't use "socialization" in writing or verbally.  This is a hot spot with many homeschoolers, as the NEA and other groups have (for decades now) made the case that since our kids aren't in a segregated classroom all day for 3/4 of the year, they obviously don't get any social training whatsoever.  It's false, but a lot of people claim this as a "con" of homeschooling, and honestly, it gets really old after a while.  (My 10yo son even has a baseball cap that says "Warning: Unsocialized Homeschooler", since the whole concept is such a fallacy.  He picked it out himself, just to thumb his nose at the concept.)

I'm sure that there are homeschoolers near you that would be more than happy to help, but I really wouldn't use "socialization" in any of your correspondence with them.  There are other terms that you can use.  Remember, you're asking for personal information about their kids...they're likely to be a bit protective, as parents.

Also, please remember that homeschooled kids aren't often *socialized* in the same manner that ps kids are, though they are often more able to function *in* society itself.  Therefore, don't expect too many of them to obsess over Hollister or Abercrombie, and don't be surprised if they are completely comfortable in going their own way as far as interests and hobbies.  They will also likely answer your questions in a pretty mature manner for your age, as they're socialized by society as a whole instead of just by their peers.  (Homeschooled kids don't really go for the whole "conformity" thing that's prevalent in schools; rather, they participate in what they're interested in, and allow their friends to do the same.  They accept each other for who they are as people, rather than for how they conform.)

My suggestion would be to ask if you can "shadow" 3-4 homeschool families for a few days each.  Be open and let them know that you're interested in learning how they do things, and be open to the fact that while their daily routine doesn't fit what a lot of people see to be the expected "norm", what they do also isn't "wrong".  It is often very different in some ways from how a ps family might spend their day, and in other ways it may be very similar.

Homeschool kids are, at the end of the day, kids.  They like to do a lot of the same things that all kids do.  They have their challenges and learning curves, and they have their victories.  The big difference that you'll likely find is that they are allowed to grow up without the push for conformity that kids in a classroom face.  Instead, they often receive acceptance from their peers.

Hope that helps!

Edit - I just saw the part about the questionnaire.  Does your assignment only entail writing up a questionnaire, but not actually doing the research?

If it does, honestly, it leaves you with a pretty limited scope.  If you're looking to test "social intelligence", what do you intend to use for a baseline?  Based on what I've written above, hopefully not the socialization of ps students.  The socialization methods are completely different.  (Not socializing, but socialization.)

How would you format a study for any other demographic group?  Apply the same concepts.  Be aware of buzzwords that will put them off (like "socialization"), and keep in mind that you're asking *people*, not test subjects.  Look for truth, not stereotypes.  :)

Answer 2

Perhaps you could use the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale or the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS)?  See other methods and research in the link below.

Answer 3

First off, you should review the heaps of research already available on this very question. No point in you re-inventing the wheel and all that.

Also 'socialisation' is a *huge* topic; maybe, you should narrow it down a bit, pick one or two aspects of the socialisation of homeschoolers and concentrate on investigating those.

If you haven't already done a course in research methods, you should probably also, before you start, spend as much time as it takes to read and make sure you understand the contents of any half-decent research methods textbook; it's all too easy to unwittingly prejudice your own results.

Finally, make sure you know whether you are interested in the 'socialisation' of homeschoolers *OR* the 'socialising' of homeschoolers. 'Socialisation' and 'socialising' are *not* the same thing; and questions such as 'how many friends they have' suggest you're more interested in looking at how home-educated kids socialise as opposed to how we are socialised.