Homeschoolers and Socialization?

First off, I would like to say that I was home schooled for my freshmen and sophomore year, and for 6, 7, and 8th grades I went to a TINY Christan school run by our church. It had 30 kids, grades K-12. I am not a big fan of homeschooling BECAUSE of socialization, among other things. I get what you are saying, and no doubt, you kids do get to see other kids. However, I am reluctant to call it "socialization". At a public school, the kids are around people of different races, cultures, backgrounds, incomes, personalities,and yes, different BELIEFS. So your kids are around other kids at church, and other kids that home school. They are confined to being around other people who share their beliefs. What happens when they get in the real world and have to work with a hindu or atheist co-worker? How will they handle being around people that are different than what they are used to? How are they going to handle that, because they certainly will not be equipped. ETA- If you didn't want to hear my reasons then you shouldn't have asked for them ETA2- Yes, I did read the details and I stick to my answer. They may be "exposed" as you put it, to other beliefs, but are they beside them five days a week while living WITH them, not just as an onlooker?

I agree with you 100 % !!! I am a 14 year old who has been home schooled my whole life and I am SO sick and tired of people asking me stupid questions like "When do you get out?" "Do you have any friends?" "I could never be home schooled because I would get to lonely." I agree that people are being quite ignorent when the stereo-type us like that. I go to MANY outings, social events, and am involved in a variety of activities. People don't understand that home schooled kids have large support groups and activities that are just for home schoolers. They don't know that we actually have friends who invite us places (not just home schooled friends either). They think we are way too shy to go out and play soccer or something...WELL I'm involved in musical theatre, two dance classes, 4-H, two youth groups, church stuff, and TONS more. I think I'm actually BUSIER than some kids who go to public or private schools. Some home schoolers are just shy. I'm not super out-going and I was quite shy when I was younger (although I do have a talkitive side too...) However, some public/private school kids are shy as well!! I also hate how people think we are being "under educated" at home. I am actually doing all of the grade 9 requirments for where I live. Oh, I am also a christian but I see no problem with socializing with others who are of a differant religion or no religion at all. That is yet another thing people think..home schoolers are all too religious and silly about things. My advice is to just ignore rude people and explain to them how do things with your kids. Tell them that you chose home schooling because you feel it fits the needs of YOUR family and you like home schooling better than the public system because _______ (whatever reason (s) you have for home schooling). YOU and your kids can actually be a light for home schooling and for what you believe. Several times people are shocked when they find out I'm home schooled because they have gotten impressions of stuck-up or kids who don't make decisions home schoolers in the past. I think that we just need to stick it out and one day people (not everyone but the majority of the human race) will come to accept home schooling as a normal education system. In fact, compared to ten or twenty years ago, they are. God Bless.

I think people like to wheel out the "weird un-socio;lized kid" pony because it an easy insult. I am lucky to have a good school for my kids (20 pupils age 4 -11) and a very sympathetic and forward thinking head teacher BUT when there was talk of closing the school and busing the kids to a HUGE school I said I would home school..no question. Perversely if I lived in the town ( I live in the country, no public transport and I don't drive so have to wait for husband to drive us places) I would have home schooled because the variety of non-school clubs and activities would have allowed it, in my village there is only school. I agree that only going to say church based activities could mean a child has little experience of other people but most sports and other clubs have a good ethnic and social mix...saying that though, no one ever suggests taking your kid out of a WASPy private school so they can get a "good mix" in a public school in a bad part of town LOL. Anyway..if you are happy and your kids are happy and they are at @ the same level of education as school kids, do as you want and ignore everyone else :)

You are great for homeschooling your kids in the way that you are. I went to a public school and loved it and I don't think I would have liked to be home schooled, if it had been an option. I think many people look down on homeschooling because not everyone does it the way you do. Many people leave it up to their kids to choose what they want to study and they don't give them as many opportunities to learn through scouts, field trips, etc. I do not look down upon all homeschoolers, just the ones that do not really teach their children. Education is so important and children really need to start learning when they are very young. Some parent's don't teach their children properly and they grow up with a much lower level of education as others their age and they cannot get into decent colleges if they even care to apply. Then there are people like you who truly care about their children and want them to succeed. I would never look down on you for what you are doing.