Preconceived notions about homeschooling?

Question

Isn't it funny even when you tell someone that you socialize your child - hahaha my son sounds like a dog - and they have friends and get out to play that they still argue there is no socialization?

Where do the preconceived notions come from about homeschooling?

Answer 1

Well, they are preconceived, so they come from the person with the notion.  Where they get them is from ignorance, plain and simple.

One of the answers here was from someone who says their homeschooled friends went to school and had no idea how to act.  I don't see that as a negative, when I see how many highschool children act at the mall, on the street, or just about anywhere else.  

Kids who are socialized in school are given a completely manufactured environment.  It won't be what they experience when they leave school, so I don't understand the necessity for socializing them at all in this way.  Where in your life will you ever be in such a homogenous setting again?  Nowhere.  So, being social, and being socialized, are two different things.  

It's true that the NEA has a clear opinion of homeschooling.  It's also clear that they have little actual experience.  I note that in their statement that they put out every year that tells folks that homeschooling isn't good, they never ONCE have had a single study or paper or shred of evidence for it.  It's strictly a "we feel" piece.  In fact, when I did some research on one person who has written a couple aritcles on it for the NEA, I found that this person was a Janitor for a local school.  Apprarently, when it comes to putting a name to an expert, you have to look a while to find one.

Ignorance and fear...it's what makes misconceptions like these thrive.

Answer 2

We all have preconceived notions, opinion, and assumptions about something, home schooling is no exception.

Most of this is due to us not being informed, or educated enough about the subject to make factual statements.

Then there are those who simply want to keep placing home schooling in a negative light because of their own agendas, just as much as we promote it due to our agenda.

All we can do is keep answering the questions of people who honestly would like to become informed on home schooling, or who are considering it as an educational option with facts rather than buying into the t*t for tat games played so often on these forums.

Answer 3

I guess people need a tour of NYC and LA High Schools

Or we have to just understand they are frightened Union Teachers who fear layoffs.

Answer 4

The NEA-- honestly.  Homeschoolers do a better job on a lot less money than any public school can ever do.  It usually costs Moms less than a thousand dollars a child to homeschool.  Public schools spend over ten thousand plus get more if they can label the kid with a learning problem and still whine for more.  No wonder the NEA makes so many false accusations about  homeschoolers.  They are terrified of Moms with multiplication tables and maps.

Answer 5

When people say no socialization they mean little socialization.

And while you may argue that, my friends used to be home schooled until they entered high school.  When they entered, they had no clue how to act, and they admit that.

And these are the kind of people who do various clubs and sports, and visit with other home-schooled kids during the school day.  It ust wasn't evnough time spent with a large number of peers.

Answer 6

ditto on the NEA

Answer 7

It's an unwillingness or an actual inability to consider that 'homeschooling' means something other than staying home all the time.

Where do the notions actually come from? Probably just the word--homeschooling--so they think of school (what they know of public school) and apply that to being at home (you're there all day every day) plus you're there on the weekends, too, and since you haven't, supposedly, met any people during the week to become friends with, because you were at home, then you don't have anybody to do things with on the weekends.

I know, not well thought out, but we're not talking about thinking here, are we?

ADDED: I would hope that most homeschooled kids wouldn't know how to act like public schooled kids if they went to high school. I don't see that as a bad thing. It's a shame they couldn't get the public schooled kids to act more like homeschooled kids.

Answer 8

No matter how many "play dates" your homeschooler has, it isn't the same as going to a public(or private) school with many other students. The homeschooled kids are going to lack the coping skills that come with having to attend a school every day and "get along" with the general public. If you dislike what public schools teach, then find an appropriate private school. If you can't afford a private school, then find one with a scholarship program. I think you are doing your child no favors by keeping them away from children their own age.

Answer 9

My children have plenty of "so-called" socialization opportunities...they can carry on an intelligent conversation with anyone--young or old...their grandfather can really notice the difference between them and their public schooled cousin. and you know what ... they face some of the same issues in youth group that they would face in high school--they are learning how to deal with people who are different from them--and learning it from the best teachers--their parents!!

Answer 10

I hate that!  When people say that home schoolers are sheltered ignorants freaks who should have been public schooled.  It's absolute ignorance.  It's like when some home schoolers sometimes say that all public schooled kids are druggies and s***s.

Ignorance!

Answer 11

I am going through the same thing!! I just say I am taking responsibility for "socializing" my child -instead of leaving it up to a room full of kids and an over worked, underpaid teacher.

Answer 12

People today just can not conceive of a universe where they are not being entertained by someone else every minute of the day.  I think that is one reason that people have become so addicted to cell phones.  Plus, many people would never think to question or really go against the status quo about anything.  And these same people are very worried about "fitting in", even if they don't realize it.  

And I think that the "socialization" issue is just the easiest thing to grab onto without really thinking about it and understanding what it means.  Of course, if you explain it to someone and they still want to argue, then there is nothing you can do to make them understand.  They weren't listening to you in the first place.

Most of the preconceived notions come from ignorance, and I am not saying that as a put-down.  I was once extremely ignorant about homeschooling, and even I brought up the socialization "issue" in a conversation.  Of course, I would like to think that I was less judgmental and just more unsure about the whole thing.

Answer 13

haters!!!!

i love being homeschooled, and i have tons of friends =]

just say, "my child has tons of friends, AND he's smarter than yours."

tehee =]