Homeschool World Forum

As the subject states, I attended a public school but have encounter many numerous home schooled individuals. I am worried that homeschoolers (although above-average intelligence, generally) do not have the social skills required to interact with their peers. The defining moment of this is when I read this article: http://www.thecampusword.com/content/view/1973/502/.

It's about Adam Gadahn, a home-schooled American who is now a spin man for al-Qaeda. I can't help but wondering if he had a "normal" upbringing at a public/private school, would he have turned into a senior operative for a terrorist organization? Would his classmates kept him in-check from an early age to conform to the norm? Conformity, in this sense, is beneficial and quite necessary, I believe. Anyone care to discuss?

What an odd thought.

My children interact quite well, both with their peers as well as with those
who are both younger and older than themselves.

To be honest, I find your 'defining moment' to be rather strange.
However, following that line of thought, I have to ask;

What of the criminals that came up through public school?
If they had been home-schooled, would they perhaps, have not taken that path?

hmmm...


mark

I think most people knew that even 20 years ago, it's just that back then there was a real danger of Social Services taking your kids away if they played outside during school hours or got caught walking around the neighborhood. In Missouri, Social Services even did things like leave anonymous calls on the abuse hotline so they'd have an excuse to come take away kids, so you didn't want anyone except other homeschoolers to know who you were. That environment of fear has mostly disappeared at this point, however, since homeschooling is mainstream and public opinion more positive.

Basically, I don't think you need to worry. The latest crop of homeschoolers should have no trouble on the socialization end of things. Socialization or lack thereof is more a family issue at this point, not a homeschooling issue.

Homeschool Kids are "Socially Challenged"!

I was recently in a checkout line and the clerk asked if my kids were home schooled. When I answered "yes", he responded as any caring citizen concerned about the social welfare of my children would, and asked, "aren't you worried about them not getting enough socialization?" The "socialization" question seems to be the old-standby, passive aggressive attack, by those outside spectators of the homeschool movement. How would my children be able to integrate into society, without first learning the valuable "social skills" that only a public school experience could provide?

Rest of article:
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/socia ... llenge.htm


I just have to laugh at this because the whole socialization "problem" has been disproved so many times...

I don't want my children being socialized to act like many of the public school students I encountered. And I certainly don't want them in college dating in the manner that was suggested in the article on your website.

I'll take my chances with homeschooling.

JAZZY, AMEN!!!!

I agree with you, I surley do not want our daughter acting like her classmates where she is right now. They are 100% opposite of the way she is even now and 120% opposite of the person I would like to see her become.

It is time the parents who are modivated enough to take this homeschool thing on, to take control of our kids and do what is right, teach them well, give them good morals and teach them how to be productive citizens who are considerate, compassionate and understanding.

(Let me add, just like in public school, kids will be kids but many times, the parents are to blame. If the parent will not control the child, will not teach morals and manners, and allows them to get involved with bad things, then bam! We have on our hands a bad kid, who was not raised right, just happened to be home schooled, so lets blame the entire home school idea! Home schooling should not be made the scapegoat of shoddy upbringings and lack of control. BUT the Public schools can be held at least 50% the scapegoat and 50% responsable, but it is when the teachers lose control and are not doing their job.)

Cheers!
Jenn