Sane Socialization for Homeschoolers

As a home schooler, I wish I had a dime for every time I have heard the question, What about socialization 

Way back when my kids were preschoolers, a bunch of us moms were sitting around a table discussing our children.
My daughter is so fun-loving and cheerful, noted one mom, that she belongs in school because she is such a social kid.
Another mom chimed in, Well, my son is quiet and shy. We were told that putting him in school would bring him out of his shell.
A third mom nodded her head wisely. Well, they all need socialization, she said.

It is interesting that school is touted as the solution to all social problems. Those who choose a different path - that of home schooling - are accused of depriving their children of the grand process of socialization.

Sometimes people bring this up because they are at a loss as to what to say about homeschooling. They don t know the joys and benefits, so they can only make an uninformed comment about a perceived lack.

This question always makes me want to ask the questioner, How many friends do you still have from high school ? If you re like me, probably precious few, if any. Yet the world places such a huge emphasis on all this wonderful socialization that is supposed to be taking place in school.

When I was a kid, a school was judged by the strength of its academic programs. Today, when the socialization issue is brought up by educators, perhaps it is because they know they can no longer use the strength of their academic superiority to sell their school. We can provide socialization experiences for your child, they boast instead, “and real pizza in the lunch room!” These social benefits pale in comparison to the social benefits of home schooling.

Appropriate socialization is positive. Inappropriate socialization is negative. Appropriate socialization has as its goal preparation to be effective in the world, however God calls us to work in the world. Inappropriate socialization would be that which impairs the child s ability to be effective in the world. What kind of socialization is your child receiving?

Part of growing up is the separation from one’s parents. Worldly wisdom tells us that children need to be independent from their parents and their parents’ values. ? This has resulted in the loss of a huge population of each generation who are seeking value and meaning in their lives.

Home schoolers believe there is a better way. By socializing our children in the context of a loving family, we are seizing the opportunity to pour our values and beliefs into them, before sending them off to be effective in the world.

By Christine Field