Comments on: Homeschooling and Socialization

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:04:05 +0000

"cliques, bullying, and popularity contests among an artificially age-segregated peer group"

Yes, that is the socialization kids learn in public school. And apparently they are not learning the three R's much at all anymore.

I wish I had homeschooled my children. I firmly believe that both they and I would be better for it. Maybe I'll get a chance with grandchildren.

By: Mary Siever

Mary Siever — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:46:41 +0000

This is interesting, reading back on this. We are now in our 5th year of homeschooling and in the last while, have been using the Thomas Jefferson/Classics/Mentor approach after researching it for a few years. As well I am a student with George wythe College (well actually now, university.) I don't know if Doug Cooper will read this or not, but seeing it, I hadn't even heard of GWC or TJEd, but now am immersed in in.

By: Wade

Wade — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 02:26:56 +0000

…please stop telling us our children will not be socialized.

Ahmen! It is completely disingenuous to make the claim that homeschooled kids are social misfits. My parents pulled me out of public school after the third grade. Did I suffer from lack of social interaction? Not unless you call a kid whe attended 5 proms and played lead guitar in a moderately successful band (we recorded two CDs) a social misfit.

By: David H. Sundwall

David H. Sundwall — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

My children are too young for school but we have become increasingly interested in homeschooling. Several families in our ward do this and love it. Others in the ward have made some similar comments to them. I wonder if the non-homeschoolers feel defensive and use the socialization barb to justify any possible guilt. I imagine some families feel like there is a competition to be "super-families" (especially in the Church) and those who cannot homeschool, for legitimate reasons, feel defensive.

We are undecided as to what we will do but I am extremely concerned about public schools. I would like to do it but realize that since most of the burden will be on my wife she needs to make the bulk of the decision.

By: Jon Lane

Jon Lane — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

My kid is too young for school too, but my wife and I are definitely considering homeschooling. I've heard the socialization argument before, but I'm with you Kim. The classroom certainly isn't a place where kids are encouraged to talk amongst themselves in my experience.

There is the idea of group work though. I'm curious, you probably haven't run into this yet, but how do you teach your homeschooled kids about group work? I've got quite a few memories of my days in school where we worked on projects together.

Any thoughts?

By: Amber Reimer

Amber Reimer — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I ran across your blog post about homeschooling. As a former “homeschoolee” for 4 years during my highschool years, I have to say that I agree with you. The argument regarding socialization and homeschooling is bogus. I feel that my social interactions were much improved once my mother began homeschooling me. We met with other homeschooled children several times a week for field trips, attend group functions, or to play soccer or basketball. People who use the socialization argument are misinformed. There are great ways that homeschooled children can still receive social interaction, group activities, etc. I am very thankful for my mother who dedicated so much of her time to me and my younger siblings and cared enough to homeschool us.

By: Grasshopper

Grasshopper — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

We homeschool our boys (we have five) and have gotten this, too. But quite honestly, when I compare our kids’ social behavior and interaction to the kids in our ward or in our neighborhood (there are a lot in both), they compare quite favorably. Now, you might say this is just a biased father speaking, but we have gotten lots of comments from other people about how well-behaved and well-adjusted and self-confident our boys are. It’s not just my imagination. I am not concerned in the slightest about my kids’ “socialization”. We participate in a regular homeschool group with five other families, get the kids together with other kids from church and the neighborhood, have the oldest in cub scouts, etc., etc.

As for learning to stand in line — well, we do have five boys, so they have to learn to be patient… ;-)

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

re: Group Work

There are infinite opportunities for kids to practice group work. Little League, Cub Scouts, Church Groups, Community Groups, etc. In fact – schools don’t usually encourage group work. They call it cheating ;)

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Oh, wow!

Chris O'Donnell commented on our blog.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Isn't it odd that the public school system is the bar of socialization. What a sad viewpoint so many people have towards this issue.

On a side note: We are the parents of one child. We often hear comments like, "oh but she'll be spoiled...have no playmates..." In the church especially. Seeing so many parents lose their young infants in the NICU I learned to be very grateful for one beautiful child. If people assume our choice for one child is selfish than they don't know our story and don't understand the value of a child. Sorry for the rant...

If you have the gumption, the desire, the ability and the faith in educating your own children, then you have no better option. Plus, I think Mary is ever so brilliant. Who could pass up on such a home educator?