Why do anti-HSers give so much grief about socialization?

Question

of course people skills are important. i don't dispute the vitality of socialization.

but are they really so deluded as to think the public school system is the best means for socialization?

what about the kids who have to friends in that class and consequentially have very limited conversations in class?

what about the intense cliques where the kids just do not socialize with other groups?

do they really think a few conversations per class and a twenty-minute lunch period count as SOCIALIZATION?

Answer 1

I don't find that to be my only problem with homeschooling, but it is a major factor in my what you would call to be "anti-homeschooler"

I can't speak for other people, because they of course have different familys, and lives than I do....However I don't think homeschooling is good from my perspective, it has made me very depressed over the years, and I'm not going to say homeschooling is all of what made me depressed, but if I wasn't homeschooled, I wouldn't have alot of the problems I have now, so to me it is a BIG problem....

I'm not fortunate to really have parents (I do, but I never really talk to them) And my family (My aunt mainly) basically expects me to stay home all day, and makes me feel bad if I go out to do something, and she was never like that....Until about a year or 2 ago, and it's like I spend SO much fricken time with her, she makes me feel bad wanting a life outside of her and my grandparents....

So not only is homeschooling bad (In my personal opinion) for the reason of being social, it's also to get away from things, and to expand on life (Outside of your family) I don't want all my views that my family has, I want to form my view, and have some god d**n memories of things that matter to me, and meet people that you're family doesn't know about....Oh, and god forbid, maybe get into a little trouble, and take chances in life, and let loose (I don't mean bad trouble, like drugs, gangs, Ect. Just goofing off, and getting kicked out of things, Ect.)....

And yes, I'm an actor, and I get to to so many great things with that....However it means nothing to me....

But I'm one of very few I figured out (Once I came on here)....

But that's just me, I'm happy people have a good time with it....

=)

Answer 2

Ignorance.

I agree with you that school is not the best vehicle for socialization.  

Here's some additional info about homeschooling and socialization:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

That's just my 2 cents!

Answer 3

I think they don't get that the world is still here outside of the school 24/7.  It's really odd because no one has been concerned about where I find friends and I've been out of school for nearly 20 years.    

Sometimes it's just too much for people to think they are spending so much time in school unnecessarily.  They may feel their time is being wasted and so they make up reasons why it's not.

:D

Answer 4

And what about the bullies in schools. why oh why would we want our kids to LEARN how to be a bully. If that is socialization - thats indoctrination.

School is the indoctrination places where the kids get dumbed down (ie not educated) and trained to obey anyone in authority (including bullies). How many kids are leaving school not knowing how to really read and write??

When they start working they say "yes sir, I'll be happy to stay late to do your job for you", instead of saying - "sorry, I cant, thats not my job".

I grew up being very afraid. I was bullied in school, and outside by kids with dogs (I am now scared of any large dog) It took me over 30 years to stop being afraid.

Answer 5

They just don't know. They don't WANT to know, because that argument is just another way to legitimize their desire to send kids off to school rather than keep them home.

My kids were social in school, they are just as social outside of school.

Answer 6

Ignorance.

My 13 yr old daugher (always homeschooled) went to a concert last night with her 16 yr old cousin.  She had a blast and afterwards chatted up the members of her fave band (she has 3 of their CDs) and got autographs and hugs.  Her cousin chatted up members of another band.  You never would have guessed my outgoing fearless daughter was homeschooled.  IMO most of the other concert goers, who attend HS, seemed stressed, bent on impressing each other, and seemed very depressed.

Answer 7

Because anti-HSers don't usually know what they are talking about when it comes to home schooling. They're never experienced it, so they can't imagine anyone working outside the same little framework that they were processed through.

Answer 8

I hate answering a question with a uestion, but if anyone can tell my why most of the kids at the public school I used to attend can't hold a meaningful conversation about something less trivial than American Idol, who's hot in gym class, or who said he said she said they said they're not your friends anymore because he said she said...etc etc etc. /Why is it these well socialized teenagers can't converse like adults...can't speak on topics like technology, art and music, literature, politics, interesting hobbies, society, culture, interesting things they've learned, psychology, world affairs, and just generally things with meaning. Why does a joike always have to involve some gortesque sound affect in order to be funny? Why is what so-and-so was wearing yesterday a more appropriate topic of conversation for a teenager than a great book you read recently, or some amazing story that was in the news yesterday? Why can't these well socialized public school teenagers engage in intellegent conversation with someone twice their age, or half their age, or anywhere in between with the same ease with which they communicate with someone in class? And why can't any of them seem to get it through their heads that you can make friends and interact with people (even people you don't like) EVERYWHERE, not just in school. If anyone can answer these questions, PLEASE send me a message and tell me how these kids are "well socialized" being unable to do all of these things, and homeschoolers are "poorly socialized" even though this is all second nature and just a part of life.

Answer 9

I guess I don't agree with homeschooling because I think it's kind of a cop-out. School is a right of passage– it's something everybody has to go through, and yes, some parts aren't so great, but we all have to do it. No offense, but why are some people allowed to skip all that when the rest of the world has to go to school? i guess it's in the same vein as, why are there some people that live in mansions in orange county when there are starving children in Africa. I know homeschooling v. regular school isn't as dramatic as that, but still. And say all you want about how you guys are just as socialized as other kids, but there are so many things you learn about how to deal with all types of people in regular school. Like, how to deal with tough teachers who DON'T love you like Mom does, and lazy kids you have to work on a group project with. Basically, school builds character and is something that ALL kids should have to go through, and I think it's selfish of parents and kids to go the homeschooling route.

Answer 10

You have totally failed to grasp what the concept/reality of socialization is.

It is a process that combines physical and psychological manipulation/violence to produce passive exploitable drones. Education is a polite way to say brainwash or indoctrinate.

Of coarse anti-HS harp on socialization because every thinking person is a threat to their parasitic system.

Answer 11

I work in the public schools.  There is nothing sadder than seeing a student sitting by themselves in the lunch room.   Granted, they are probably alone because they want to be alone but it would be kinder to let them be alone in a homeschool situation than surrounded by people who are playing the game of being social.  

Our lunch room is a noisy and busy place with 25 minutes to get food, eat, copy someone's homework and head to next class.  There is much noise, but little conversation.  There is much making fun of others, 'drama',  and meaningless interaction.    These people will not be friends after they leave the high school but yet the anti-homeschool people act as if these are life long relationships that would not be possible if students were not thrown into age confined classrooms.

I enjoy the young people but they are  clueless.  

It would be nice if they were allowed to develop as individuals and to enjoy learning instead of being forced to learn.

Answer 12

You gave the answer in your question: people are deluded.  They swallow, hook, line, and sinker, the idea that segregating children in a school provides them with social training.  

The "S" word always comes up when people find out we homeschool.  I just tell them how much we do.  That brings an end to the questions.

But you know....trailblazers always get grief.  :)