Are you worried about "Socialization" while homeschooling?....I'm Not.

I spent so many year of my Schooling under the oppressive power of bullies.  Proper socialization they call it..."The world is full of bullies better learn to be tough".  If putting 30 kids into a classroom all of the same age, and having them spend all day everyday together, do they really learn to socialize with other kids of different ages, or have we created the generation gaps we hear about. The First pioneers created 1 room school houses, where all grades were together in on space, they learned to help each other socialize with children of various ages. Many homeschool families are out and about 3-4 days a week, getting socialization, with other homeschoolers, the general public, or other activities. Many Homeschoolers are significantly more productive with their studies then the average traditional schooling students, they actually tend to do better in university and are able to communicate with various age groups more proficiently. Many homeschool students have more social skills then the average traditional schooling student.  They are usually more in tune with their creativity and usually work better in group settings.  They tend to help in there communities more, make friends of all ages easier, and enjoy the company of elderly more so.  

Homeschool students, learn how to self study, and self motivate and complete tasks with out instruction, from someone else. Homeschool students, tend to be happier, contrary to what society thinks about homeschoolers, being loners, and social inapt people.  Homeschool families tend to be more of a family unit,  they work together, and learn to communicate emotions, and are able to work through difficult situations as a family unit, verses individually.  

Socialization is always a REALLY HOT TOPIC when the topic of Homeschooling is raised.  But really what does "socialization" really mean: 

so·cial·i·za·tion

noun

1. 1. 

   the activity of mixing socially with others.

   
   

   "socialization with students has helped her communication skills"

2. 

the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.

"preschool starts the process of socialization"

So that is the definition of socialization, 1.) the activity of mixing socially with others. Homeschoolers, at least the ones I know, are very busy families socially mixing with others through activities, homeschool groups, work, church, and clubs, and extra curricular things.  We are all well aware of the Black cloud of "Un-socialized" kids hanging over us; But we are also more in tune with our children really need, in that moment because we spend so much more time investing in our children, because that's the choice we make.  If my child has been acting out, and not focusing on school, rather then getting a call from the principle, I can take that moment, and send them outside for a run, or play a game to break the tension, we can change the mindset right there and have the time to do so. 

2.) The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.  I don't know about you, but I had no idea what my child was being taught in school when it came to what was acceptable behaviour or not. I left that up to the desecration of the teachers.  Now, that desecration is that of my own, and my husbands. In the two years that our child was in JK and SK, the bullying had already begun, is that socially acceptable?....or are the the anti-bulling campaigns for nothing. when I was in high school some significant sexual derogatory bullying was going on between boys and the girls in a Christian school. When I went to the principle his answer was well I tease my daughters too.I am no feminist, but this was socially unacceptable to me, and  my quest for proper christian behaviour was unending till the ring leader was expelled from our school The reality is in schools or anywhere, KIDS ARE MEAN!!  Where do they learn it from?...Their parents, their peers and media, and video games etc. My daughter was learning the hard lessons of being bullied at the age of 5. Really!?  If our classrooms are where are children have to learn to be tough, because there are bullies out in the world, I think we have a pathetic sense of the true needs of our children, for their futures.  Children need to learn to first, Respect those around them, and the things that are around them, second, stand up for what they believe in, and be able to stand their ground, with accurate and particular answers, of who they are and why they believe what they do. Bullies are usually people who are lacking something in their lives and feel the need to make others uncomfortable as well.

  It is not always easy for our girls to respect their parents, but because I wear so many hats in our house, the respect that I demand is no less then what a teacher would require, in fact probably more. Now I am not saying that Homeschooling is the end all be all here. I am just stating what I personally feel about homeschooling, and societies idea of being properly socialized, when the definition is really not cut in stone, who is anyone else to say that because my child is homeschooled that they will not function socially in society.  When looking at the statistics for homeschooled students vrs traditional schooling the difference is quite evident. Homeschool students, are better students over all.  They are also usually more active in their communities, and that to me should be more then acceptable to society.  Many famous actors, musicians, and other Main stream media celebs, were in fact homeschooled, many hold jobs as Physicians, engineers and so many other careers, and they tend to be better employee's because they tend to be more self motivated, and are better at seeing the bigger picture, because they are taught to be open minded, and flexible. 

How do we personally socialize our Children, through homeschool groups, dance class 4H program, and a Girls christian programs called G.E.M.S at our local church, that we are members of. Last year was our first year and we did not socialize as much as I had hoped to due to unforeseen circumstances, but this year we are heavily involved in lots of activities, through out our weeks, often eating into school time.  So there is the opposite problem of to much socialization for families as well.  I really don't think it takes my child to be in a class room to be properly socialized. Yes, my children may have less then 30 friends, and they may not have the chance to be called the "cool kid"or the "loser" for that matter, and to tell you the truth, thats ok by me.  I spent most of my life, trying to "fit in". Homeschooling kids, don't need to fit in so much, because it really does't matter, they learn to not be afraid of what everyone else might think as much. They tend to be more doer's then followers, and in the research I have done on the subject of homeschool socialization, I am pretty content with doing what we are doing. 

The judgement against homeschoolers being weird or socially inapt, don't you think is a direct influence, from what society has already taught us;  "Bullying is acceptable, only if you do not agree with someones life style choice".  As Christians are we not break that mould of stereotypes and bridge the gap, as ambassadors of Christ.  

In conclusion of this really long blog post, The mere fact that people are afraid of homeschooling because of Socialization, has me baffled.  In todays homeschooling realms the help, groups and support are endless, and overwhelming.  Socialization is really a non-issue to many of us, because classrooms are not the limit for proper socialization.  Socialization means to communicate with other human beings.  Homeschooled children, spend more time outside, playing with siblings, creatively building things, drawing, and many other activities.  Socially growing, and learning differently then other students, and thats just fine by the Homeschooling community.  Thats why more and more people are choosing to homeschool their children.  

Blessings, 

 Mommy AK