Why do people assume that homeschoolers don't have friends?

Question

I know a ton of people who are always asking me if I have friends. Of course I have friends!! So then I just ask them "Do you meet all your friends in your school?" It just doesnt make sense, don't they have a life outside of school?

Answer 1

I think it is because the most stereotypical question for homeschooling is what about socialization? Well for one thing homeschooling children don't have a problem with socialization because they make friends everywhere of all ages while public schoolers usually make most of there friends at one place of all the same ages.

  Well when you grow up there is no place to go to every day where you can make friends and socialize so you might has well learn to socialize the way you socialize in the real world, by going out and meeting people at different places.

Why they ask the question I don't know. But that is just an answer for them.

Answer 2

i hate when people ask that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it bugs the heck out of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

People think that homeschoolers do not have friends because the people who ask are uneducated and uninformed.  

I'm 54 years old.  I work in the school and have a few friends and acquaintances there, but.....I'm glad that I don't have to depend on the public school setting to make friends.

My son, who is homeschooled, has friends from several public schools, private schools and homeschooled.   He also has friends who have graduated from school, who are in college or working.  

I hope people read these answers and understand that you do not have to be in public school to make friends or to learn.

Answer 4

There are some that are homeschooled so that the parents can control every aspect of their life including not letting them have friends.  Before homeschooling was popular, those that were homeschooled were socially dwarfed.  However this is not the case now with Homeschooled kids.  Most are very well adjusted and have many friends.  People make assumptions based on the past and the views of others.

Answer 5

When people ask 'What about socialization?' they are simply showing their ignorance. I learned to ignore them or give them a totally outrageous answer. After a while, my children did the same and some of their answers were hilarious. I stopped wasting my energies years ago trying to figure out if the inquirer was jealous, being hostile, or just plain stupid. It was never a sincere question and still isn't.

Answer 6

Stereotypes and and anti-homeschool propaganda?  Many public school students do not have a life outside of scheduled activities. So, they don't understand how you do.

Answer 7

Ignorance.

Answer 8

Sheer ignorance.

They are the people that don't understand homeschooling at all!

Sadly though - as one poster pointed out - there are some that homeschool that do keep their kids home and do not let them make friends - and that is sad, but that is the exception rather than the rule.

I agree with what others have said - homeschool kids have a better range of friends - older, younger and varying situations from what most public school kids have.   Much like 'real life'.

hmmmm, imagine that.

Answer 9

It's propeganda from Teacher unions and school board afraind of loosing money!

Answer 10

Because you don't go to school and meet other kids. Basically no social life. Sorry. But I know that there are events and get togethers for homeschoolers, right?

Answer 11

Not usually, no. The public schoolers I know did in fact meet all of their friends in the public school...

...it's sad, really. What are they going to do when they get into the real world and don't see their little highschool friends anymore and need to socialize with people of all ages and al sorts who aren't forced upon them daily?