Socialization

Our common reply to the not-so-subtle "socialization" questions has been to ask if public schools are really where a child is going to learn the most appropriate socialization skills.

For many of us at Homeschool Facts, the social ills in our public schools was a primary factor in our decision to homeschool.

There's a must read article by Michael Romanowski, "Revisiting the Common Myths about Homeschooling" that we recommend. His work, and several other studies have shown that homeschoolers have a more positive self-concept than their schooled peers.

It is important to think about what schools really do. They classify and segregate children by age and ability, reinforce class, gender and racial prejudice, and strip from children the right to any real interaction or private life. Socialization, in this respect, becomes submitting one's will to that of the group (or person in charge). This is not the basis for healthy relationships.

Home educated children, because they spend so much of their time out in the real world, generally are able to communicate well with both adults and children and to have friends of all ages. They choose to spend time with others because they enjoy their company or have a similar interest - just like adults.

There are many ways for homeschoolers to meet other kids. They are more likely to have friends of different ages and to be free of the cliquish, exclusive behavior so common in school. There are an abundance of opportunities for parents to choose where they want their children to homeschool: In the neighborhood, in church, in Scouts, in 4-H, through community sports teams, in community theater, in music or dance or gymnastics or art classes, through participation in some school activities, through homeschool support groups and activity clubs