Why do some homeschoolers complain about social life and hanging out with friends?

Question

ok i get the point as to if someone has been homeschool for all his or her life but, that shouldnt stop you from going out to the mall and movies and meeting people there. Getting into sports, activities.

Man all you people being homeschool must be the luckiest people ever, i wish i was homeschool!!! i try talking to my parents about it, and they sometimes agree but when making the final decicion they end up saying know.

I wish i had homeschool, like that i wouldnt be putting up with other annoying people.

Well good luck to all, Freaking homeschoolers are lucky lol !!!!

:-)

Answer 1

The people complaining are teens and some of them have not yet realized that this is their responsibility. Maybe no one told them they could strike out socially. Maybe they are shy by nature. They may not feel capable because this sort of thing is new too them. They are too old for Mom or Dad to make them a playdate but not yet ready to do it all on their own. They need their hands held just a little longer, but not much. Being a teen in a time of growing independence and responsibility and it isn't always comfortable. Some kids still wait for their parents to meet all their needs. They just need a little practice. Most people complain when they get a new responsibility. Growing up and earning your freedom and independence is alot of work and sometimes it can be frustrating.

Answer 2

Most homeschoolers do have a social life, unless they are extremely young or isolated.  And you have to be very isolated.

Most of the socialization issues comes from public school kids who repeat garbage they know nothing about first hand.  Parents who know nothing about anything.  Teacher's Union and School District officials who fear losing Federal funds and general attendance.

There is also one sociologist out there that actually thinks if a kid isn't bullied, offered drugs or s*x they are deprived somehow.

Haven't figured that one out yet.

Answer 3

That's a very good question. I personally don't understand it as all the people I know--and I know many--are active and quite socially happy. I suppose it really boils down to the parents and how much they encourage, or insist on, outside activities.

As for your parents, ask them what's holding them back from deciding to do it. Then do your research to allay that fear.

Answer 4

yes we are it is awesome- and us freaking homeschooers are luckier than you know your cute but stay in school  good luck to you my public school friend

Answer 5

The social life issue is the most popular argument used by people who are anti-home education.  So I guess we go on about it because we are constantly challenged.  It's the first thing anyone says when I tell them we home educate: "How will they ever have any friends?!"

Best of luck with your parents.

Home educating mummy in England.

Answer 6

You are correct.  Just because a child is homeschooled does not mean he/she is doomed to have no social life.  My oldest child, who is almost 16, hangs out with friends ("schoolies" lol)  every afternoon and nearly every weekend, plus he plays online games with them at night.  My youngest, who is 8, also gets about 3 hours of outside social time each afternoon.  All of this is in addition to the socialization they get from each other and from their dad and me.

A person's outlook and determination to take control of their own lives has a big impact.  If someone is content to simply complain about being bored and lonely and not actually do something to rectify the situation, then they have themselves to blame.

Also, geography may play a part.  My son has a friend who lives in the desert, about an hour from town.  There are no kids in his neighborhood and no facilities nearby, so that can certainly impact a social life.

There are other factors that might affect socialization, I'm sure.  But, the bottom line is that homeschooling in and of itself does not doom someone to a life of solitude.

Answer 7

If you are referring to the complainers here on Y!A...

It seems to me that there is some common misunderstanding about homeschool vs. online public school and online high school and homebound public school.

I think it is important to realize that many of the posts are by kids who are using online schools and calling it homeschool just because the computer is at home.

Some of the complaining posts also seem to be about / by students who are homebound.

All of the homeschoolers that we know personally would not trade their lifestyle of learning for anything.  All are very involved in many outside activities.

We have found that there is so much to do and get involved in that it is hard sometimes to choose between so many great things.

Answer 8

Well, I honestly reckon it is mostly those kids who've switched from public/private school to homeschool who end up complaining that, as homeschoolers, they've no friends, no social life etc etc.

Kids (like me, lol!) who have been home educated all their lives grow up understanding that their social life, just like their education, is their responsibility (and wholly their responsibility); that, if we are not happy with our friends/social life, that is our fault and we have no-one to blame for it but ourselves so you whinge about it at your peril.

Having spent any length of time at school, those kids just seem to have become institutionalised and expect to just have friends/a social life drop naturally into their laps without first having to get off their bums, get out there and put in the necessary time and effort to cultivate and develop said friendships/social life. They 'talk' like they expect things like having friends/a social life to just happen!!

Also many times I get the impression from their posts that their previous lives at school have so brainwashed them into believing that a 'friend' has to have been born within 12 months of them that they can't look beyond the school dictated, same aged 'peer group' for their friends, activities or social life.

So many of them seem to believe that if something doesn't originate with 'school' (sports, band, debating groups, science club etc) or from within their own limited age defined 'peer group', it is somehow less valid or relevant to them than the million and one community generated activities that are going on right under their noses if they'd just get out, get over their (mostly school inculcated) prejudices and get involved with their *whole* community - regardless of all the other participants' age, colour, race, background, creed, need.

Answer 9

haha you are too cute!

as far as putting up with annoying people, sometimes family can get pretty annoying! :)

anyway, enjoyed your question.

Answer 10

Good question, I think it depends on a persons personality, and sometimes the family dynamics as well as demographics.

Many of our children's "schooled" friends feel they are lucky too.

I am not sure about not putting up with difficult people though; living and working together 24/7 does present itself with some unique situations at times. ^_^

In our case, my complaint, not the children's is that we have to many social, church, volunteer, and work opportunities, and it makes it difficult at times to stay on track with our learning journey.

Answer 11

Oh my gosh I have no idea!  All the homeschoolers I know/knew including myself are so busy with friends and activities all the time.  Now that I am in college making friends is a whole new ballgame, but I still gravitate towards the homeschooled kids because they are so much more friendly and outgoing than the stuck up public schoolers.  I cannot tell you how many friends I have made at school, only to find out later that they were homeschooled!  And yes, I was very blessed to be homeschooled.  I can never thank my parents enough for what they did for me.