Well, to me, I don't really have a problem with homeschooling. I have a few friends who were homeschooled and they turned out fine. The only argument I do have against homeschooling is the preparedness of events out in the real world. And usually, public school is where I had to deal with most of it. My middle and high school were decent schools. I, however, learned how to deal with bullies, how to interact more in depth with people of different cultures, and almost participate in clubs where many others enjoy the same thing. I'm sure that many parents who homeschool don't shelter their kids. And I do agree that there are bad influences out there. But it is part of the learning process on how to deal with such situations. It helps build their confidence to say no to something they know is wrong (If they needed advice or opinions, they would always come to you first).

And you don't really just associated with people the same age. There are after school activities or sports teams of different age groups mixed in together.

Kids get plenty of socialization in public schools alright... the wrong kind of socialization! You are hearing this straight from the mouth of a public- school certified teacher! I hope to make a difference in public schools, which is why I want to be there. The issue is not socialization when it comes to homeschooling. I am confident that children whose parents are willing to homeschool them are very capable of making sure their children live a well- balanced life. The bigger problem is the children in the public schools that have no socialization of thier family. In other words, their parents couldn't give a rip. Unfortunately, that is the overwhelming majority of parents in my area. I wish they had half the intrest in their children that it takes to homeschool a child. These kids don't know how to socialize because thier parents have never taught them. Anyway, that is a whole different topic. I think that family relationships are extremely important and the foundation for all other relationships. Even if children never see anyone except their own family, in my opinion, that is still adequate socialization. But really, how many people are that withdrawn? The kids will get plenty of social time outside of thier home, especially if they get involved in sports or homeschool groups. Lets stop worrying about the social lives of well cared for children and start worrying more about kids that don't have anyone to care about them outside of their public school!

Awesome post! My husband and I are both teachers (though I am home with my 3 currently) and the closer we get to school age, the closer I am to homeschooling. Especially in our area where we are a minority and the schools are HORRIBLE! Both academically and socially! There are SOOOO many places to have your child "socialize" with others are you stated and what I like about those "other areas" such as the library, play groups, church, sports, etc....is that YOU can monitor the socializing! I realize that children will have to learn to defend themselves and stand up for themselves and deal with different types of people, but it is never to late to learn those lessons. My children have to learn those things from our neighbors! But you know, it's better when he can come home right away and let me know what is going on and I can explain how we should react or maybe why that person is behaving badly and also deal with the offender directly and instantly rather that hearing about it hours later about some kid I don't know!  

@alleygoop@xanga - I just want to point out that guns and sex with students are not in every school. You also have the weigh the socioeconomic standings of a school. One that caters to kids that grow up with heavy violence will be different then one that is stuck in suburbia. And if you want to say that we hear more and more about it, it is mostly because the media (Left and right wing media outlets) will sit there and relentlessly talk about it. Not in a constructive 'how-can-we-fix-this-problem' but in a way that blames celebrities, video games and music. If a kid shoots up a school and listened to Eminem, Beethoven and the Beatles. Which one do you think they would judge that kid by? Well of course it would be Beethoven! How radical he was to make a symphony with 5 movements instead of four! My case in point, not all schools have those problems and making generalizations like that only perpetuate the problem. And while I see nothing wrong with homeschooling and have even thought about keeping my children out of elementary school and part of middle school at the same time there are experiences within a good school system that you can not get in homeschooling.

If I choose to homeschool through at least elementary school it will be because I have seen elementary students and I would not want to add to some of the overcrowding that happens in elementary schools. By the time my kids are old enough for middle school I would consider letting them go for certain classes. Like gym, music, art and shop. These are classes that I can see a definite advantage to taking with other students their age. Gym promotes health and teamwork. Music, while I can give many lessons on music (I played and studied bass, violin, cello and viola for a decade and have even written a few compositions) it is an enjoyable class to take with friends. Art is not a strong point for myself but i have found memories of trying to be good at it and the same with shop. My idea would be to send them to our Catholic Highschool when they are freshman. I believe that would be the point that I could no longer teach them.

For us, homeschooling is a great option.  It fits in with what we want our kids taught--morally and education-wise.  We can tailor the curriculum to suit their needs and interests.  We can work with them one on one when they are struggling.  And, where we live, there is a co-op that many older homeschoolers go to where they are taught subjects like chemistry by a retired chemical engineer, for example.  As for socialization, I was told to read the book "I Saw the Angel in the Marble" (thank you, wherever_we_go) and it had some great arguments for homeschooling.  Many of which have been pointed out here--if we are raising adults, then shouldn't adults be the primary group our kids spend time with.  If I want my children to have my values, shouldn't they spend more time with me rather than 30 kids their own age.  When I think of my own experience, I had lots of acquaintances in school and only one really good friend.  And, guess where we spent the most time together?  Outside of school.  For us, in the current education climate, public schools are not an option and we aren't about to pay $6,000 a year per child to send them to a a Christan school that takes in kids who've been expelled from public schools.  

Thank you!
I have been hearing this ever since my mom started homeschooling me in 5th grade. And I had Plenty of socialization! I had great friends at Church, 4-h and co-op. I did 2 plays every year and was out with friends every Friday night in Highschool. Most importantly, I leaned (as other moms here have pointed out) how to be friends with people who are not my own age. Sure, I knew a few "weird" socially awkward types, but you know what, they married others of their kind and are happily homeschooling their own kids!
What really gets me is what it says about our society that everyone is more concerned with kids' "socialization" than with their education! You don't go to school to get socialized, you go to get educated! If you can do a better job of educating at home, you owe it to your kids.

@tortallcit@xanga -  I definitely have to disagree with you.  I was very socialized, and VERY busy in high school.  Between college courses, sports at the local Christian high school, band, and all my activities at church and in the community on top of all my high school work, I was VERY busy.  I dealt with all sorts of people, including those I wouldn't normally associate with, and it just enhanced my desire to work with people.

I had several full-ride scholarship offers to college, but in fairness, some schools (though not too many) will scrutinize you more closely.

The level of socialization in homeschooling is entirely as much as parents want to make it.  My parents definitely wanted me to know how to function in the outside world, so they made sure I had plenty of opportunities.

@chosenandblessed@xanga - Props to you. I'm seeing this a lot with the school-aged kids. Most parents seem to view public school as 'free day care' and don't really care about the cattle kids they're herding into it. It's sad to me and I'm definitely thinking twice about throwing my daughter into the middle of it and 'hoping for the best'.

@eclectic_eccentric@xanga - 'What really gets me is what it says about our society that everyone is more concerned with kids' "socialization" than with their education! You don't go to school to get socialized, you go to get educated!' -- Well stated! I'm seeing that with friends' children now and I witnessed it first-hand during my time served in public school...they don't go to school to learn, they go because they want to hang out with their friends and they're so distracted by the friends in their classes that they're really not learning as much as they should be. I was a loner in public school and I was always at the top of my class. I don't think it was a coincidence.

@ZJiff30@xanga - I'm glad to hear you had a good start and a good experience;unfortunately not everyone does- In fact, most people have many obstacles and demeaning events occur thorughout school that leaves them forever remembering school with negativity.  IMO you were one who had probobly the foundation of favorable genes, personality, brains and support and not too bad of a school that resulted in a good experience.

the author of this article is making a great point in saying that too many schools today involve such socialization types that arent reality-based and natural, nor are they conducive to creating healthy self-esteem. 

Obviously the main point is to stop the ridiculous assumption that homeschoolers hole-up their kids.  My experience with outsiders asking about our homeschooling has shown me that this common missunderstanding about homeschooling reveals peoples prejudice and ignorance.  I mean really, Why would any parent who is taking the time and energy and foregoing the outside income they could otherwise be bringing home want to keep their child from experiencing the world???!!!   See, it makes no sense and to assume that we would be doing somethng so nonesensical is degrading.

@cjamos@xanga - I think some kids are better suited for homeschooling.  We are going to play it by ear.  If at any time one of the kids would do better in public/private school, we'll make the switch.  Each kid has their own learning style.  So you have to adjust to that.  My husband and I are both college educated (not that someone without a college education couldn't homeschool--I'm not saying that at all), and we are wanting to do more of a classical education for our kids.  I'm confidant we could do it.  But if there is a subject I can't teach (like higher level math), I'm going to hook my kids up with someone who can.

Mega props, Mama Fox, you preach it! I never went to a "real" school a day in my life and I turned out all right.  I did well in college too.

If a home schooled child can get out of the house enough I'm sure they could turn out just fine. I didn't enjoy my high school all that much because my peers were far too immature for me. 

I love homeschooling

public school was crap