Myth: “Homeschooled kids do not get enough socialization.”
It is not a myth - I've seen it with both family and college friends. They have to go home every weekend because they can't stand to be apart from them, and they are socially awkward. More than me even - and I'm naturally very introverted and unsocial.
Since when is it the government’s job to provide my kid with friends? And since when does going to public school guarantee popularity? We have all known kids that that are lonely, shy, or friendless despite being in a classroom full of other kids day after day, year after year.
Its not the governments job to provide these things, but public schools provide them nonetheless. A child, in our society, spends a fairly large portion of their time in class or in extra-curricular activities. Whether they are popular or not, they learn to interact and socialize here. No, its not always pleasant - I have always been much more of a social outcast myself; the large nerdy one who had no social grace whatsoever. I don't think I started combing my hair everyday till the end of high school in fact.
And this is with going to public school for my entire life. I've gotten much better of course, but I still find the social graces hard. Mostly because I honestly don't care much - why spend the effort when I could be doing something I do care about? Nevertheless, I do not regret my social experiences from public school at all. It would have taken me much longer to develop basic social graces and social skills were I to have stayed at home to do my schooling.
And I gained much from a public atmosphere as a Christian. I was challenged at times a Christian - being exposed to very diverse ideas. But I was to grow because of these challenges, they pushed me to start studying my own beliefs seriously; and now I am not only well studied in my own beliefs but I also have a Bachelors in Religious Studies and have studied many other religions - the study of which has only further strengthened my belief in the superiority of Christianity.
Beyond the understanding of my own beliefs, I understand where other people from opposing views are coming from. Having had several atheist, pagan, lesbian, bi, transexual, mormon, Catholic, Jewish, etc. friends - I do not demonize these people. We see people on this forum who constantly treat any who disagree with them over even small matters as demons who they will be glad to see burn in hell. They do not treat them as fellow human beings who may honestly have some decent reasons, given their current level of understanding, for why they do what they do and for what they believe. Someone who is sheltered from the public and who only interacts with the "proper Christian community" lack this - they do not have a decent means of interacting with those who disagree with them. Thus, as Christians, they will have a very hard time living up to the tasks of loving their fellow man and of sharing the gospel, or even defending themselves from potentially convincing arguments from anti or non-Christian beliefs.
There is actually very little socialization occurring at today’s government schools, unless by socialization you mean “indoctrination” or “institutionalization.” Recess is becoming a thing of the past, and even lunch period has become a no talking zone in my local school district, with “silent lunch” in effect. The fact is that today’s schools have very little resemblance to the schooldays you may reminisce about.
It has only been 6 or 7 years since I was in high school. While I'm sure there have been some changes, I don't think the amount of socializing has changed that much. I certainty didn't have "silent lunches" - that sounds like a local problem rather than something that is commonly practiced.
But homeschooling is whatever you make it to be. The social opportunities are out there through co-ops, churches, extra-curricular activities, you just have to be motivated enough to get your child involved. How do you find other homeschooled kids? When you are out and about during the day and see other school-aged kids, chances are they are homeschooled – introduce yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Search Google or Yahoo Groups for homeschool groups in your area, and if you don’t find one, start one. Ask your local library or teacher supply store if they know of other homeschooling families. Book sales and churches are another good place to start. As you become involved in extra-curricular activities like scouting or sports, ask around – there are probably other homeschooled kids there, too. Soon enough your calendar will be full of play dates and field trips and park days. Good thing our school day is half the length of the public school day and we don’t have homework – now we actually have much more time to socialize with friends and family – a perfect segue into the next myth... Taken from the Survival Blog
Here is your first problem - YOU are initializing all of the social interaction. In public schools, no one is making the children socialize (for the most part) - it is something one must do on ones own. One must take the initiative to engage others themselves - not go to social events setup for them by their parents. One must find develop one's own connections and learn to deal wtih social problems by one's self - without their parent their guiding the process or looking over their shoulder.
The next problem is what I mentioned before - YOU are going to opt for your child to be exposed to only those people you want them to be exposed to. This is typically people who think more or less exactly as you do. Thus one's child will not be challenged by opposing view points and realities or learn to deal with them.
Going along with this, one is not going to learn how to socialize with anyone but family and family friends. However, one's personal growth is severely stunted so long as one lingers under their parents shadow. There's a time and place for it - but in one's teens one needs to steadily start to grow apart from one's parents and become independent.
Home-school kids can and do socialize with other kids quite as well. This idea that home-schooled kids are isolated from other kids their age is not really an accurate portrayal.
